The Forensic Laboratory

1. The Forensic Laboratory

2. K-Fed sez: Quiz on Friday.

3. Summary • Lab management • Accreditation and certification • Qualification of forensic examiner • Role of criminalist • Introduction to evidence • Introduction to lab sections

4. Lab Management • Forensic laboratory not only analyzes physical evidence, but is also involved in its recognition, collection, and preservation. • Members of the crime lab are also involved in educating and training officers on these subjects • Members of the crime lab are also involved with educating attorneys, judges, and juries on how to weigh the results of analysis.

5. Lab Management > Quality Assurance Quality Assurance (QA) • Programs that are designed to ensure that a lab’s results are scientifically valid and reported opinions are reliable May include: • Required education • Peer review of reports • Documentation rules • Auditing testimony • Evidence handling rules • Lab security

6. Lab Management > Quality Assurance Quality Assurance (QA) • Programs that are designed to ensure that a lab’s results are scientifically valid and reported opinions are reliable An important part of quality assurance programs is proficiency testing.

7. Lab Management > Quality Assurance > Proficiency Testing Proficiency Tests Simulated forensic cases with known results Can be done: • Internally (by the lab being tested) or • Externally (by an outside testing agency) External agencies will compile and publish their results to benefit all labs.

8. Lab Management > Quality Assurance > Staffing Staffing National guidelines provide education requirements: • Degree requirements • Specific coursework requirements Many labs include an extensive background investigation.

9. Lab Management > Section Organization Analysts (entry level): • Perform the analysis (specialized in one area) • Currently hire scientists • Older employees may be trained officers Section Organization Section Supervisors: • Supervise one area of the lab (Drugs, DNA, Trace) • May also examine cases • Supervisory duties can be distributed among persons who report to the head supervisor • Are scientists (or older trained officers)

10. Lab Management > Quality Assurance Section Organization Quality Assurance Manager • Make sure QA requirements are met Lab Director: • Must have a range of forensic knowledge • Does not analyze evidence • Anticipates staffing, equipment, and training needs • Also helps to make sure QA requirements are met

11. Accreditation and Certification Accreditation • Laboratories should be accredited • Labs are accredited by ASCLD • American Society of Crime Lab Directors

12. Accreditation/Certification > Accreditation Begins with application and inspection • Review of written procedures • Review of Quality Assurance programs • Review security and safety • After inspection, the lab corrects any problems found Accreditation Accreditation lasts 5 years • Must submit annual self-evaluation, including proficiency tests • After 5 years, lab is reinspected

13. Accreditation/Certification > Certification Certification Criminalists (people) can be certified. Criminalists are certified by ABC(American Board of Criminalistics), IAI(International Association of Identification), and other organizations.

14. Accreditation/Certification > Accreditation Certification Must apply and submit to written tests Renewed annually by providing an account of professional activities. • Training/Education • Publications • Proficiency test results

15. Types of Labs Accreditation/Certification > Types of Labs • Government Labs (see previous lecture) • Private Labs • One important purpose of private labs is they provide a defendant with the ability to refute scientific evidence presented by the prosecution.

16. Qualifications of a Criminalist • B.S. in natural sciences • Even with a MSFS degree, most training will be on-the-job. • Accredited labs have written training manuals detailing the training process.

17. Qualifications of a Criminalist • Higher education (MSFS or Ph.D.) is required for certain supervisory positions • Accreditation and Certification require employees to continue their education: • Forensic meetings • Training courses • In-house training

18. Role of Criminalist > Investigator/Educator/Student A criminalist must perform the duties of an investigator, educator, and student. Investigator • Must obtain information from police investigators that could affect scientific analysis (condition of evidence, information needed from evidence). • Must be careful to not become too emotionally involved.

19. Role of Criminalist > Investigator/Educator/Student A criminalist must perform the duties of an investigator, educator, and student. Educator • Educating related professionals as to the criminalist’s capabilities. • Judges • Medical Professionals • Officers/CSI • Attorneys • Publish research or case studies for other forensic scientists to read.

20. Role of Criminalist > Investigator/Educator/Student A criminalist must perform the duties of an investigator, educator, and student. Student • New techniques require continuing education • Read Journals • Scientific Meetings • Conduct Research • Attend Workshops • Some work requires in depth research on a particular topics (example in text: ropes)

21. Introduction to Evidence Reconstruction Evidence Associative Evidence • Class Characteristics • Identification

22. Introduction to Lab Sections • Biological Evidence • Trace Evidence • Fingerprint Evidence • Impression Evidence • Firearm and Tool Mark Evidence • Questioned Documents • Chemical Evidence (drugs, arson, BAC)