Asking Questions and Developing a Basic Knowledge

• Are there crime scene investigators job available now?

Forensic technicians jobs are increasing faster than most, almost by 20%.

• What is the salary of the different levels of a crime scene investigator?

I was unable to find this in the textbook.

• Is it bad to get a crime scene investigation job online rather than at a university?

I was unable to get this from the textbook.

• What is the procedure for retaining evidence?

Crime scene investigator technicians collect, mark, and label the evidence. They have to follow the chain of custody. This establishes who had contact with the evidence, the date and time, circumstances for evidence, and any changes.

• How is evidence introduced in courts?

The book did not go into detail of evidence being introduced in courts.

• What is used to lift fingerprints?

Mirrored mylar window sheets are placed on the surface of the fingerprint.  Using a flashlight they obtain the details of the ridges in print.  The traditional way of attempting to lift the prints with the brush and powder, sometimes the friction can remove the ridges.

• How often do you work with lawyers, police officers, or other people in the field of criminal justice?

No politicians, lawyers, and prosecutors can be at the crime scene. Sometimes the crime scene investigators have to prosecute at trials only though for the evidence introductory of the trial.

• What do crime scene investigators take with them when called to a crime scene?

Fingerprint equipment

Brushes

Powders

Tape

Lift cards

Magnifying class

Ink remover

Finger strips

Rollers

Tissue builder

Photographs

Cameras

Lens

Film

Flash

Tripod

Filters

Measuring devices

Evidence packaging

Paper bags

Glass vials

Evidence tape

Marking pens

Blood collection

Sterilized scissors

Tweezers

Glass microscope plates

Cloth wipes

Tools

Hammers

Screwdrivers

Wire cutters

Shovels

Sifters

Steel tape

Flashlight

Chalk crayons

Pocket knifes

Compass

Scalpels

Rope and electric cord

Protective eye wear

Ultra violet lights

Protection

Latex gloves

Footwear protectors

Face mask

Bio hazardous waste bags

• How do investigators protect the crime scene?

Most important is to make sure the evidence stays uncontaminated. They do this first by disturbing little as possible when approaching the situation. The officer to first respond needs to keep track of when the call of the crime is taken up until they arrive at the scene. Once the scene is stabilized they rope off the surrounding areas to prevent people from coming on the premises. There can only be one enter and exit. Then the witnesses and suspects should be separated and all necessary personnel are contacted.

•  Is any documentation done at the crime scene?

There are six documentations used at the crime scene: administrative worksheet, narrative description, photographic log, diagram, and evidence rec overy log, and latent print lift log. 

Schmalleger, Frank. Criminal Justice: A Brief Introduction. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2012. Print.