Crime Forensics_1820

639442678 · Wysłany: Pon 10:20, 28 Mar 2011 Temat postu: Crime Forensics_1820

There are a lot of misconceptions with regards to forensic science and crime scenes. Due to the popularity of crime scene shows such as CSI, the public has this preconception that the solving a crime is as simple and as easy as how they present it on TV. For one,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], crimes do not get solved in an hour's time nor does it take a forensics laboratory half an hour to produce the much needed DNA results. Another false idea being propagated by these types of shows is that in every crime scene, there is that vital evidence, that "smoking gun" that investigators can find to put the criminal away. Some types of evidence are hard to find and collect. The collection process alone can take several days before it can be considered complete. Distinguishing which is vital to the case takes more time. In a lot of cases,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], there is little to no forensic evidence found in certain crime scenes. Some criminals are put away with just the right amount and type of circumstantial evidence.
Although the shows do produce a lot of misconceptions,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], they do help spark interest into the field. Increasing the curiosity brings more people into the field. For instance,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], in the field of forensic photography, numerous veterans are near the point of retiring. A stir will hopefully produce the next generation to allow the veterans to pass on their knowledge for future use.
There are several key areas in forensics that are commonly involved with crime scenes. This includes a photographer,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], a latent print examiner, an examiner for documents, a firearm or tool marks expert, a forensic pathologist and a forensic anthropologist. Each specializes in a particular type of evidence.
The way real crimes scenes are treated is largely different from what shows depict. Crime scenes are strictly security with only certain personnel allowed into the area. Contamination is a major issue which can seriously jeopardize the reliability of the evidence collected. Each member of the team wears gloves and protective clothing so that they leave as little evidence of themselves onto the scene. They are also documented in terms of shoe prints to eliminate theirs from being collected at the crime scene. This eliminates the risk of processing evidence from a member of the investigative team.
After securing the area,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], a preliminary survey of the scene is conducted. In investigating real crime scenes, it is important to collect as much evidence the first time around as often times, there are no second chances. There is no such thing as doing too much documentation in investigating crime scenes. Each step into the crime scene must be documented well, in terms of sketches and photographs. Every nook and cranny is searched for evidence. Evidences such as hair and dust need to be collected as soon as possible as these do not tend to last long or get lost quite easily. Technicians often go on their hands and knees in order to search and collect for evidence. It is little like the television shows where the technicians wear vests and high heels.
Dealing with crime forensic evidence in real life may be more complicated and takes longer than how they are presented but the goal is essentially the same. By processing the evidence collected, a clearer image of how the crime occurred is made as well as finding those responsible to face justice.