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Role Of CSI In Criminal Investigation

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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

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