Crime Laboratories, Essay Example

A full service Crime Laboratory or Forensic Laboratory contains the following type of typical services; these being divided into two components i.e. Field Analysis and Laboratory Analysis. Field Analysis relates to the work of investigators that examine the crime scenes and collect forensic evidence. This usually contains a team of three people (i) Forensic Evidence Technician (ii) A crime scene investigator and (ii) A crime officer that examines the scene of the crime.  Laboratory Analysts are scientific personnel that examine the exhibits brought in from the field in order to conduct scientific tests such as blood splatter analysis, DNA tests or bullet striations etc.

Costs are often the main factor that limits the services in Forensic Laboratories. Timothy Pifer a NHSPFL Director in the USA was quoted as saying, ” we’re a relatively small state and as such have only one forensics laboratory to cover the entire state. (Goudarzi, S. 2009).  Small states like that of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire are prime examples of where only one crime forensics laboratory exists.  Onec of the most important tests conducted in the Forensic Laboratory is that of DNA testing.  The reason this is so important is that because not only does it help in tracking the guilty party it can also set innocent parties free.  Eye Witness testimonies in the courts have been refuted by DNA analysis and released innocent people.  DNA retrieved from a crime scene is one of the most compelling forms of evidence in proving the person was at the scene of the crime.  Hair, skin and blood deposits all create a unique fingerprint in forms of identifying individuals.

Certain States are also using privatised laboratories instead of maintaining their own function; the preference however is for having your own crime lab avoiding the possibility of external intervention.

Works Cited

Goudarzi, S. (2009, 8 31). Perspectives on a Forensic Lab. Retrieved 5 22, 2011, from Lab Manager: http://labmanager.com/?articles.view/articleno/3425/article/perspective-on-a-forensic-lab 22/05/2011