The Forensic Laboratory

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Summary

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

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.

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

An important part of quality assurance programs is proficiency testing.

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

Proficiency Tests

Simulated forensic cases with known results

Internally (by the lab being tested) or

Can be done:

Externally (by an outside testing agency)

External agencies will compile and publish their results to benefit all labs.

Lab Management > Quality Assurance > Proficiency Testing

Staffing

National guidelines provide education requirements: Degree requirements Specific coursework requirements

Many labs include an extensive background investigation.

Lab Management > Quality Assurance > Staffing

Section Organization

Analysts (entry level): Perform the analysis (specialized in one area) Currently hire scientists Older employees may be trained officers

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)

Lab Management > 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

Lab Management > Quality Assurance

Section Organization

Accreditation and Certification

Accreditation

Laboratories should be accredited

Labs are accredited by ASCLDAmerican Society of Crime Lab Directors

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 lasts 5 years Must submit annual self-evaluation, including

proficiency tests After 5 years, lab is reinspected

Accreditation/Certification > Accreditation

Certification

Criminalists (people) can be certified.

Criminalists are certified by ABC (American

Board of Criminalistics), IAI (International Association of

Identification), and other organizations.

Accreditation/Certification > Certification

Must apply and submit to written tests

Renewed annually by providing an account of professional activities. Training/Education Publications Proficiency test results

Accreditation/Certification > 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.

Accreditation/Certification > Types of Labs

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.

Qualifications of a Criminalist

Accreditation and Certification require employees to continue their education: Forensic meetings Training courses In-house training

Higher education (MSFS or Ph.D.) is required for certain supervisory positions

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.

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.

Role of Criminalist > Investigator/Educator/Student

Officers/CSI Attorneys

Judges Medical Professionals

Publish research or case studies for other forensic scientists to read.

A criminalist must perform the duties of an investigator, educator, and student.

Student New techniques require continuing education

Role of Criminalist > Investigator/Educator/Student

Read Journals Scientific Meetings

Conduct Research Attend Workshops

Some work requires in depth research on a particular topics (example in text: ropes)

Introduction to Evidence

Reconstruction Evidence

Associative Evidence Class Characteristics Identification

Introduction to Lab Sections

Biological Evidence Trace Evidence Fingerprint Evidence Impression Evidence Firearm and Tool Mark Evidence Questioned Documents Chemical Evidence (drugs, arson, BAC)