The Forensic Laboratory

K-Fed sez: Quiz on Friday.

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 ASCLD  American 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)