The Reception Officer, The Public Face Of The Laboratory

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.

After the crime is first reported, the law enforcement officers must open an investigation. Within the investigation, witnesses must be interviewed separately by police, along with the victims, and suspects. Crime scene technicians should also be contacted to collect any type of evidence from DNA, fingerprints, and blood samples. After possible incriminating evidence is collected, it must be sent back to the lab for testing.

As an authority in the field, the forensic accountant is brought in during the discovery phase of litigation and begins by evaluating the facts of the case and determining whether a claim is valid. After examining the strengths and weaknesses of the case, the consultant can then advise on the most effective way to present these facts at trial. The forensic consultant is also on board to analyze the arguments made by the opposing attorneys and their expert witnesses and verify the amounts claimed (Elmore, D.R.).

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,”

Forensic DNA Analyst: Compare DNA samples taken from suspects and victims to see who was present at the crime scene, and whether they were involved in a violent case. DNA Analysts can also compare previous DNA samples with new DNA samples to identify potential suspects.

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

The work done by the crime scene investigator helps the criminal justice officials prepare criminal cases; provide reports, sketches, and photographs (Lee, 2001). The crime scene investigator also needs to be educated in giving an expert testimony in criminal court cases (Lee, 2001). This testimony must not only follow the rules of evidence but must also be able to explain, in laymen 's terms, to a jury the significance of the evidence as it relates to scientific proof. Investigators are to have the knowledge of federal and state statutes along with agency rules and regulations (Lee, 2001).

Technicians need to coordinate and communicate with police officers at the crime scene. They need to note, sketch and take pictures of every piece of evidence. Once that is done than they will send the evidence to the crime lab so they can investigate more. They will make detailed and submit accurate reports and documentation for court

The role of a forensic technician in processing a crime scene is very important. Not only are they responsible for gathering, collecting and preserving all the evidence found at a crime scene, they must also follow a very important set of steps in order to make sure that all evidence has been collected properly, labeled and that all the paperwork that follows has all the correct information needed. Let us take a look at a case that involved several different crime scenes. The case is that of the death of 7 year old Danielle Van Dam. This

Additionally, they might hear other results from their colleagues in other sections, and they draw conclusions from the evidence with their colleague’s conclusions in mind. Another challenge that can be directly attributed to forensics career is that attending court as expert witness is often a nerve-wracking experience. Because the results will help the judges come to the right decisions – the right person will be punished for a crime that was committed and the wrong person or innocent will not be blamed by mistake. Therefore, forensic

Kids in high school traditionally have a relatively low interest in science because they might think its boring, or tedious, but when you put something forensic behind it, it makes things more exciting. “Forensic scientists assist various law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and internationally”(Corey). Most police investigations begin at the scene of a crime. The scene is simply defined as the actual site or location in which the crime took place. The entire investigation hangs on that one person being able to use techniques to support and investigate the evidence. When it comes to investigating crime, no matter the level of crime, nothing is more important to a criminal investigator than the use of forensic science. Types of forensic science investigations, evidence, and crime laboratory operations all play a role in the job of a Forensic Science Investigator.

As the lead forensic investigator for XYZ, Inc. my goal is to prepare before the investigation starts, this involves knowing the nature of the assignment and activities, prepare the tools and personnel needed to properly investigate the incident. Additionally, understanding the skill-sets required to extract digital evidence will help build the appropriate team, assign roles to staff and supervisor, and ensure the forensic investigators have appropriate background to perform the extractions needed.

Forensic Specialist collects the PC/Laptop or mobile device. He/She will be transporting the evidence to the lab for processing and analyzing.

Through the inclusion of a Response Readiness Plan, Coordination Plan, and Metrics involving both the case itself and the organization, a more quality investigation will be performed. Should examiners know their roles and responsibilities, and be held accountable for them, an examination can be performed in the most appropriate manner possible with the highest success rate in regards to prosecution or evidence admissible in court. An examiner needs to realize that all of these key components are important for a case and should be followed to achieve the best results. Investigators can and will perform to the level at which they are trained and are legally abled. In large environment forensics, this task can become much more difficult pending

Reporting – to ensure the integrity of evidences, there is a separation of duties during the entire forensics. Only level III technicians can authenticate discovery and generate reports that can be used in a court of law. The logical behind this operating procedures; senior level technicians can offer technical knowledge or transform into expert witness if required.