Open Blog

This week I decided to research what a crime scene investigator does specifically at a murder crime scene. This involved the external body examination that provides the investigator the most important pieces of evidence. Some of this information includes physical characteristics, possible cause, circumstances of death, and relationship to the scene. Before bringing the decedent in, investigators must

1. Photograph the scene

2. Photograph the decedent with and without measurements

3. Document the positions of the body

4. Document physical characteristics

5. Document the personal effects that are present and not

6. Review items that should be there

7. Document markings, scars, even tattoos

8. Document injuries

9. Document if any treatment efforts were done

10. Decide if further evaluation is needed.

Before this I didn’t realized how thorough the evaluation and documentation crime scene investigators have to take. Their job is essential in what way to take the investigation.  I was surprised they didn’t do this procedure in a different chronological way. I would have thought they documented the markings, scars, and injuries right after the photographs were taken before seeing what was taken from the crime scene. It was quiet easy to find this information, so easy that I couldn’t decide on what kind of crime scene I wanted to research since each type of crime has a different procedure of doing things. I would like to further research other types of crime scenes and compare and contrast the crime scenes. 

"A Guide to Death Scene Investigation." National Institute of Justice. USA Government, 16 June 2011. Web.

Cultural Assumptions

            I decided to use the most obvious choice of the crime scene investigation in Hollywood, CSI. Although this show is very interesting it is not an accurate description of the job. It leaves out a lot of the details and adds unimportant aspects.  To be able to spot these differences though we need some background or cultural assumptions about crime scene investigation. Today we are in an era where law enforcement and science have come together to solve many cases. Investigators offer evidence and analysis through their findings. This show wants to show these findings but they do not do it a realistic manner. Specifically, they miss the mark when getting fingerprints. When they put fingerprints into a computer and wait for the suspect, in reality, the software shows several possible matches. Also crime scene investigators almost always get warrants before searching an area. This requires a lot of time waiting which Hollywood does not show. Hollywood also likes to portray in the show CSI, that they handle an entire case from start to finish. But this is unrealistic since many people are involved in one single case. Because of this portrayal people view crime scene investigators job seems like it would very enjoyable and interesting. Instead it is an overwhelming and tiring job. It is not as easy as it looks. Their job consists entirely of constant reminders of being inhumane to man. No one wants to know the bad side affects though, that is why Hollywood only shows the exciting facts. 

http://www.cbs.com/shows/csi/video/B6F6BA27-4FCA-2C27-953C-85294E1F4C40/csi-dead-of-the-class/

Evaluating Sources

The most recent public debate in the crime scene investigation community is about low-copy number analysis.  Lawyers and some law officials argue that it’s prone to contamination and lack scientific validity since its only partial DNA. Forensic researchers have to make interpretations and must be re-evaluated that is why most people do not support it. By embracing this technique, it could threaten DNA profiling’s reputation as the best evidence forensic science has as of now.  DNA evidence is not flawless and by making partial profiles okay to convict, makes more room for errors.  Also it goes against people’s constitutional rights to fair trial. This would be due to the bias that comes from forensic practitioners since some interpretation comes from this low copy number analysis of DNA. “Overstepping the line” could cause major problems in court cases when interpreting the results of this evidence.  Although a great advancement in today’s society, the forensic community needs to further investigate the issues before there is complete confidence in the results.

I have to agree with the law enforcement right now, it would be a great improvement if we could convict on even the smallest forms of DNA, but it must be done in a way that there is no bias or interpretation. Once science does this, there will be many more convictions that normally would not be brought forward.  The author brings up several educated claims that made me agree with him.

Gilbert, Natasha. "Dna's Identity Crisis." Nature 464.7287 (2010): 347-8. ProQuest. Web.

Open Blog

This week I decided to research about all the members of a crime scene investigation. There are various members at all levels or expertise. These include the lead Crime Scene Investigator, CSI unit, Crime Scene Photographer, and Crime Scene Technicians. First, the lead Crime Scene Investigator carries out the initial walk through. He secures and preserves the nature of the carry and assigns each team members responsibilities. After the initial evaluation then the CSI unit can begin to collect and document the evidence. Each person of the CSI unit though has specific jobs though.  Then the Crime Scene Photographer must tag all the pieces of evidence and take their photograph along with a photo of where it was in the room. The crime scene technician is collects and records the evidence into a logbook. They also prepare reports for the lead Crime Scene Investigator. Sometimes there can be a sketch preparer that sketches the crime scene and the important details. He points out which areas need to be searched and takes many measurements. I never knew that so many people can involved at one single crime scene. I feel like it would be a very crowded process that would be hard to get done when so many people are trying to do their own individual responsibilities.  Each website I found always said that this job is a team focused job and it was easy to find information on the topic. 

"Important Members of the CSI Team and Their Respective Duties | Crime Scene Investigator" Crime Scene Investigators. WordPress, 30 Aug. 2011. Web.

Contemplating Controversy

One of the most controversial topics that crime scene investigators deal with is whether or not a “CSI: Effect” is real. A “CSI Effect” is the phenomenon in which jurors hold unrealistic expectations of forensic evidence and investigation techniques and have an increased interest in forensic science in all trials. On one side truly believes that juries are affected by fictional portrayals of crime investigations. This affects how jurors react in real life trials. Many believe that is helping the defense because the jurors expect there to be forensic evidence to make someone guilty but in many cases it does not exist. As a result, evidence that once brought convictions does not anymore. Jurors are also less likely to convict someone who is guilty because the techniques they see in the fictional TV shows are not what is being used in the real courts.

But the other side disagrees saying that there is no evidence that TV fiction has changed jury behavior.  In many surveys done of jurors, they say that CSI shows had little to no control on there decisions.  Also scholars have pointed out that it may actually be an advantage to the prosecution rather than the defense because this means that the jurors are more educated. Another reason is that there is no actual empirical evidence that a CSI Effect exists. The claims are only based on merely anecdotes according to law enforcements.

Both sides of this controversy bring up interesting agreements to CSI effect. I hope to do more research on both sides of the controversy for further blogs. 

CSI Effect." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper Limited, 22 Apr. 2010. Web