Remixing Knowledge

I have been struggling finding remix projects that have to do with crime scene investigations. Even brochures and other websites are all the same with there descriptions and there graphs. So instead of finding a remix by a professional I decided to use a picture of a popular culture icon that shows a little something about criminal justice in a risky way. 

Revision- The picture shows how crime scene investigation is always portrayed in a fake way that is far from the reality of the job. This is perfect with Lady Gaga because it shows that someone with a fake and computerized voice will get the ratings just as the unreal portrayal of crime scene investigations. The creators of these shows and artist get wrapped in what sells and brands people off that not the truth.

Arrangement– Lady Gaga is portraying someone she is not and the tape around her also shows how crime scene investigation is wrapped around making fame.

Invention- The invention is that Lady Gaga is wrapped up in the crime scene tape around her.  It shows how risky she is willing to go and how the crime scene tape is taking as a joke.

Delivery- A screen shot of a part in a music video that shows her dressed up in crime scene tape.

Style-The style of this picture is very risqué, which appeals to American culture of sex appeal.

Open Blog

         One side of crime scene investigation most people just look past is the clean up of crime scenes. There is a certain unit called CTS Decon, which means crime and trauma scene decontamination. Their job involved cleaning up dangerous material and contaminated exposure sites. The most important part is to remove any signs of what happened and any biohazard materials.  To return the scene to its previous state it could either take an hour to 40 hours depending on the severity of the crime. The cleaners at each scene though arrive with the same equipment. These include person protective gear, biohazard waste containers, traditional cleaning supplies as well as hard-core cleaning supplies,

carpentry tools, ladders, camera, and a van.  IN order to have a full clean up, the cleaners have to dig up carpet when blood is involved.  After this they can then dispose of all the evidence. In order to be apart of this unit one must have a strong stomach and be able to detach emotions from the deceased.  It is said to so say though that these cleaners make their living solely on the number of deaths that occur. Which allow is a sad thing to say, it is true. I never thought about it in this way. The crime scene cleaner’s positions are increasing. This could be because more deaths are occurring. While researching this I found it somewhat gruesome to hear about what and how they have to dispose of at the crime scenes. If I do decide to continue with crime scene investigation as my field of study I would definitely choose not to be part of this unit.

Layton, Julia.  "How Crime-scene Clean-up Works"  06 April 2006. Web.

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.