Processing Crime Scenes

Its imperative to understand that crime scene investigation and forensic science are both similar fields of study. Both of these careers require a criminal justice degree and solely focus on the aftermath of a crime. The ultimate objective of both is to gather and analyze evidence to solve a crime. Each of these professions playing an integral role in the flow of analysis in the criminal justice system. By working together, an CSI examine the location and gather evidence at the scene and bring the evidence back to a forensic scientist to analyze. They both utilize the scientific and

As human overpopulation increases, there will be a lack of resources and basic necessities that will become scarcer elevating crime rates. The broad field of forensics has numerous jobs that specialize in a specific duty. It provides and analyzes evidence in laboratories or offices that helps both state and local police departments solve crimes. As technology advances it also aids in the advancement of forensics. Forensic Science Technicians are required to have a variety of distinctive skills to assist in criminal investigations.

One of the biggest legal challenges of crime scene investigations is whether federal or state procedural laws were followed correctly, failure to properly conduct procedural steps in the collection of evidence could result in the evidence being contaminated, altered, or if stored improperly it would result in the lost of evidence (Buckles, 2006, p. 29). Evidence that is not properly documented will not be admissible in court or if the evidence was obtained illegally meaning that the evidence was collected without a warrant when a warrant was needed the evidence will not be admissible in court therefore it is crucial for law enforcement and investigators to be familiar with the laws that govern crime scene investigations (Buckles, 2006, p.

The role of a Forensic technician varies in many different directions and the process for each evidence material is a huge part in the criminal justice system. What Forensic Technicians do is the base and a huge impact on everyone else’s job, including the investigator and the labs. Forensic technicians analyze, collect data and preserve the evidence found at the scene, whether its bloods, hair, clothing etc. Forensic science technicians help investigators untangle the circumstances surrounding a crime, accident or other unexplained incident. Forensic technicians scour the scene for evidence suggesting a possible suspect, murder weapon or cause of death, they report their findings to the detectives in charge of an investigation and also perform

Forensic Technician a job title that attracts the attention of many individuals. Physical evidence is collected and analyzed by these individuals. Along with performing test on evidence such as weapons and substances, such as body liquid or hair along with fibers

The forensic technician will record the date and the time the call-out was received. The forensic technician will meet with the investigator and will be briefed about the incident that occurred. The tech will record the time they arrived at the scene and when the briefing commenced. After the briefing has

There is a lot of distorted information when it comes to watching the televisions shows on television such as CSI, Dexter, Criminal Minds, and Law and Order. In real life situations, usually the person that is investigating the crime is not the same person that does the crime lab. On televisions shows, they will only work one crime scene at a time and not many crimes that have been committed. As well the show will not show the numerous amounts of crimes that an investigator has to deal with on a day to day basis.

Technicians are often employed by local and state police departments and work in laboratories. Their primary duties are to aid in criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence by means of laboratory testing. Forensic science technicians commonly analyze DNA samples or any chemical substances acquired from crime scenes to determine connections between victims and suspects of crimes (“Forensic Science Technician,” n.d.). Technicians work many hours in a laboratory settings performing biological and chemical tests under the supervision of forensic scientists and lab managers. Aside from laboratory duties, technicians sometimes participate in field work, meaning they visit crime scenes to assist in collecting evidence, photographing, and recording findings. Other responsibilities of technicians include testifying and presenting evidence in criminal court cases (“What is a Forensic,”

The basic job of a forensic science technician is to aid in police investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. Forensic science technicians have a large variety of tasks they could be assigned to. They work in many conditions, both outside on a crime scene and inside in labs. Sometimes, the technicians may travel and their work schedules could be chaotic at times. When they work on a crime scene, they are in charge of collecting, cataloging, preserving, sketching, and taking photos of evidence. In a lab, they are responsible for analyzing, consulting, and exploring hidden links in their evidence. There are also different areas a forensic science technician may specialize in, including, but not limited to poisons, teeth, bodies, chemicals,

The first priority for a first responding officer(s) is safety that there is no threat to the officer or citizens at the scene. Once the scene is secured, investigators and forensics personal can process the scene. Once forensics personal is notified this is called “called out”. They should record the date and time of the call out they receive. Once at the crime scene they get a briefing about the incident. Forensic technician should record arrival time, and time briefing is over. Should also document the names and identification numbers of all personal present. Ask if any fragile evidence or area of the scene has been disturbed is important. Tracked blood, shoe or tire impressions from first responder’s activity. Start processing scene. Initial search for evidence is a search conducted by the forensic technician to survey the scene to determine and prioritize task. Records date and time the initial search for evidence. Records notes on areas of interest, and location of evidence. Notes environmental and premises conditions. Always proceed slowly (sight, smell, hearing, and touch) using senses. Night time crime scenes are difficult to see blood, firearm casings etc. hard to locate.

After doing their job in he crime scene, the evidence they took will be taken to the forensic scientist. Crime scene investigators will look at the photographs and connect their theories based on the crime that occurred. The forensic scientists will also examine the victim’s clothes, while the medical examiner will analyze the victim’s body for more clues and evidence that they may find and they will all be doing this in the crime lab. The things they may find could be hair, fiber, semen, blood, another person’s DNA, bruises and many more. After the forensic scientists

The book gives a general overview of the field of forensic science. The sections of the book include “The Scene of the Crime; Working the Scene--The Evidence; Working the Scene of the Body Human;

Since most investigations start with very limited information, care and common sense are necessary to minimize the chances of destroying evidence. A plan of operation is developed and initiated from an initial walk through of the scene. The plan is to decide what evidence may be present, what evidence may be fragile and need to be collected as soon as possible. What resources, equipment, and assistance are necessary for the processing? Consideration of hazards or safety conditions may need to be addressed.

Forensic science involves the use of science to solve criminal and civil crimes but mostly lies on the side of criminal investigations. It makes it possible to identify the criminals based on the DNA traces they leave behind. It involves analyses of blood, DNA and other evidences and later on uses the findings as evidence in the court of law. It helps in solving the various crimes in the world and this has been the greatest contributor to the growth of the sector. Cases that were previously considered impossible due to lack of evidenced tracing to the victim can now be solved using forensic science evidences. The essay aims at analyzing the different aspects of forensic science that are used in the process of solving criminal activities. It will also look at the different cases that forensic science was used to solve crimes in a court of law.

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