A Crime Scene Investigator, or CSI, is a specially trained police officer, whose responsibility is to collect and trace evidence from a crime scene. It uses a science known as forensics. Forensics uses two broad types of evidence; testimonial evidence and real, or physical, evidence. Both play a major role in the investigation process, and are vital to solving the crime. The CSI’s role is to collect this evidence and take it to the lab, where it is put through numerous tests. Documenting everything found at the scene is also part of the CSI’s job, as well as serving as an expert witness in court. Throughout my research, it has become evident that CSI’s part in the justice system is an important one, henceforth the strenuous steps to becoming …show more content…
Prior to this training, you are expected to already have a background from previous internships. From a personal interview with Chen, she stated that, “Already knowing someone in the industry is extremely important…and someone who is fresh out of college without any experience is way behind the competition”. Being an intern, or at least volunteering at a police department, will push you towards the right direction. It will give you legitimate experience in the field, although you may not work actual cases, and you will have a leg up over someone who knows very little about the real world. Once you have completed all your educational steps, and have months of experience on the job, you are finally ready to throw on your badge and take on cases with another …show more content…
Some basic equipment can include a ruler, cellophane tape, large and small forceps, test tubes and corks, chalk, evidence tags, etc. It is also important to bring hand tools, safety equipment, masking equipment, evidence packaging supplies, photographic equipment, fingerprint equipment, and blood collection equipment (Fisher 459-62). Documentation of medical personnel or other first responders should be done immediately. You should also document if anything has been altered with or moved by these responders. The next step is to deny access to any unauthorized personnel and barricade the area. When establishing your boundaries, you always want to block off a larger area where evidence may be collected, then reduce the perimeter later if necessary. After the area is secured, the agent initiates a preliminary assessment. This is called the “‘Look but don’t touch’” part of the investigation (Fish et al. 46). The assessment is used to conduct a general theory of the scene and to allow the medicolegal death investigator, the lead detective, and the CSI to develop a tactical plan of investigation. Once the preliminary assessment is complete, it is time for the forensic photographer to photograph the scene. As said by crime scene photographer Nick Marsh, “All evidence types have to be recorded in a photographic mean, if you are going to present them in court. When you
The popular television show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigations has been on the air for 12 years, and it has brought forth the behind-the-scenes actions of criminal investigations, even if its portrayals are not always scientifically accurate. This has caused an interest in the forensic sciences that has led most people to a skewed view of how a criminal investigation actually works. The reality of a criminal investigation is that it is generally more tedious and difficult than the theory of criminal investigation would have you believe. By examining the forensic and investigative procedures of the case of Pamela Foddrill, it is apparent that the theory of criminal investigation was not representative of the procedures concerning examination
The Ethos of The Real CSI lies in the inclusion of credible expert testimony. The audience is given a first-hand account of what real CSI entails from a lead detective
The CSI Forensics Scientist Gil Grissom determines the manner of death by using a simulation dummy (Zuiker 2000). Later, he positively identifies a specific shard of glass obtained from the dead body to a champagne bottle in the hotel room (Zuiker 2000). Lastly, Grissom also questions and interrogates the criminal suspects at the end of the case (Zuiker 2000). In real life, the manner of death can only be determined by the forensics pathology (Jacques 2015). The specific type glass can be positively identified by Glass and tool marks expert using laboratory test such as Glass Refractive Index Measurement (Rudell 2016). Only a detective or investigator of that case can interrogate a suspect (Brown and Daveport 2012). The TV show wrongly describes
The definition of forensic science is any scientific research, method, or theory used to analyze evidence in an attempt to solve legal cases (Cho). In recent years, there has been growing public interest in forensic science, arguably because of the numerous television programs that glamorize its practices. This phenomenon is part of what is known as the CSI effect, or the process through which devoted fans of popular crime dramas develop unrealistic notions of forensic science methods, practices, and their applications in real life cases (Mancini 544; Stevens 37; Ley, Jankowski, and Brewer 52). The CSI effect has had more negative impacts on forensic science and society than positive impacts, especially in regards to what goes on in the
The career that I have set my heart on is a career in the field of Forensic Drug Analysis. I want to become a forensic laboratory technician. A forensic drug laboratory technician is a lab technician that gathers evidence from crime scenes and analyzes any and all data that is retrieved from said evidence. My desire for this job began back when I was 13 and visited a laboratory, then my desire resurfaced again this past summer when my sister’s brother-in-law took me to his work and showed me exactly what he does. He is part of the Kentucky Police Department and is head of the forensic drug laboratory, so he is and has gone through everything that I want to pursue. He has answered any questions that I may have on the job and he has become my
This information will help investigators cluster the symptoms with a particular disease and rule out irrelevant information. The surveillance of the components gather in this step will put a perspective on the abnormal health events that are occurring on the outbreak timeline.
Through myriad lectures, I am finding that I learn best kinesthetically. Hands-on activities provide kinesthetic learners with a deeper understanding of material that they do not receive with lectures alone. Simply reading a textbook or following a power-point is great for note-taking, but I have found that notes are not enough for me. By actually doing, I benefit from practice, and the content is better stored in memory. Even with simple flashcards for memorizing vocabulary or historical dates, I will excel further than by skimming over a sheet of paper or by listening to the information repeatedly read aloud. If I achieve my goal of becoming a crime scene technician, my learning style will take me far because the job will require me to collect
In 2006, over 100 million people in the United States tuned in to watch either CSI or any if the other forensic and criminal investigation related television show each week (CJSG). Since then, the number of viewers has increased rapidly, as well as the amount of television shows with the same type of theme. As a result of the increase of these television programs, researchers are discovering a new phenomenon called the ‘CSI Effect’ that seems to be fueling an interest in forensic science and criminal investigations nationwide. This effect is actually the ability of criminal justice themed television shows to influence and increase victims’, jurors’ and criminals’ ideas about forensics, DNA testing and methods, and criminal investigations
Some crimes are obvious, and can be solved via a simple investigation, perhaps with a chain of custody, or with an item they left behind. But what about the crimes that aren’t? What about the crimes made by careful criminals, the crimes with evidence that can only be found in ways other than the naked eye? These crimes must be solved by a CSI, or Crime Scene Investigator, who is normally part of a Crime Scene Investigation(CSI) unit. However, these are still not completely standardized in a police unit. Some areas, such as Chicago Heights, do not have a CSI unit. How, then, do these areas solve these types of crimes? Most police members have basic CSI training, such as blood detection or cordoning off areas, but they don’t know how to use the machines in a lab such as a CSI.
Since the time that the scientific science dramatization "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" turned into a tremendous hit and generated its fans, reporters have been worried about what they instituted the "CSI Effect." The hypothesis behind the effect is that fans of the well-known show disguise misguided judgments about the law that they bring with them into the court as jurors. In this way, the trepidation is that the TV show is at last influencing the results of trials - and not in a great manner. Criminal justice researchers have started to study the inquiry of whether nationals who are called to serve on juries bring unreasonable desires and convictions to the court as a consequence of TV projects. The impact that these projects may have on the jurors, their desires, and their choices is known as the CSI effect.
At the moment, I am still unsure of what major and career I am going to pursue. I am looking into different fields and what would interest me, and at the moment I am looking toward photography related fields. One career that I have been interested in lately is a forensic photographer, or crime scene photographer. They are called to crime scenes in order to take photographs for the law enforcement, so they can study them for future purposes. Cases can take months or even years to solve, so these photographs help preserve the original scene and evidence. Not only do they take pictures of the overall scene, but of different objects in the room or area as well to give investigating officers a feel of what happened.
Nearly anyone you ask would be familiar with the television show CSI. The crime lab is colorful and high-tech with all of the fun toys and machines that analysts use to test the ever abundant amount of forensic evidence from every crime scene. It makes for an exciting drama that you cannot help but get immersed in—it also gives us a false illusion, however, creating what has been dubbed as the “CSI effect” (Baskin, 2011). This effect describes the idea that crime shows such as CSI generate unreal expectations, making viewers believe that forensic evidence should be existent in all criminal trials, therefore affecting their overall perspective on a case (Baskin, 2011). But in reality, forensic labs are not that glamorous. In fact, the
The life of a forensic science technician is a special career for a special person. It requires certain skills and patience to be a forensic science technician. There are positives and negatives to being a forensic science technician.
CSI will be called to court to give evidence and expertise to the judge, jury and barristers depending on how serious the case is. When appearing in court you must dress smartly, for example, A suit or a sensible dress, when a beeing called upon you will be swearing an oath and hold a bible while doing so, the must state the name and relevant qualification and occupation and their employer, for
The photographer that is present at the crime scene is responsible for making one picture worth a thousand words. Photography plays an integral role in the documentation of physical evidence found at crime and accident scenes as well as during forensic autopsies. Forensic Photographers are among the first crime scene technicians to arrive at crime and accident scenes. They walk through a scene to obtain an overview before they begin taking photographs. Forensic Photographers apply their technical skills and their knowledge of anatomy and forensic requirements to take photographs that convey the information that crime scene, criminal, medico legal, or forensic investigators need documented. These