NCJ Number
79946
Journal
ACPC Forum Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (1980) Pages: 9-17,19-25,27-29,31-33,35-39,41,43-45,47-49,51-52
Date Published
1980
Length
33 pages
Annotation
Based upon a study tour of the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, this report examines trends in training and operations for scene-of-crime investigations, with the focus on forensic work and the police investigator's role.
Abstract
The goal of the study is to provide recommendations for the development of a proposed forensic laboratory in Queensland, Australia. A review of the technical aspects of scenes-of-crime investigations discusses observations made at the forensic science laboratories visited, with attention to the duties of various laboratory personnel, including laboratory liaison sergeants, photographers, fingerprint officers, police surgeons, coroner's officer, pathologists, and scientists. Proposed scientific advances in scene-of-crime investigations are also considered. The structure, management, and training used in developing a scene-of-crime investigative capability are portrayed. Units analogous to the scenes-of-crime branch in Australia operated in every police force visited in the study, and in all cases, it operated as an independent unit offering a 24-hour service 7 days a week. The structures of these units are described. Training is discussed under the following topics: cadet training, probationary training, scenes-of-crime branch training, detective in-service training, and refresher training for senior ranks. Training roles for various forensic laboratory personnel are also described. Curriculums of various training courses are outlined. The concluding section offers detailed recommendations for improving the scenes-of-crime investigative capability of the Queensland Police Department. The sites visited in the study and the personnel interviewed are listed. The study tour extended from May 1, 1979, to July 27, 1979.