Definition of a Crime Lab
The popularity of police and detective shows has showcased the importance of the crime lab in solving crimes and providing information in court cases. Scientific and computer developments have changed the way crime labs operate.
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Definition of a Crime Lab
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A crime lab, also known as a forensics lab, is a department in which forensic scientists apply the scientific method to analyze evidence from a crime or accident scene. Evidence obtained by police or investigators is brought to the laboratory where laboratory technicians obtain information from the evidence that may be used to solve crimes or be used in court trials.
Location of Crime Labs
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Crime labs may be located within local and state police departments. The Federal Bureau of Investigation houses crime labs that support local and state crime labs and provide training and information.
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Responsibilities and Duties of Crime Lab Technicians
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Crime lab technicians and forensic scientists may gather information or use evidence collected by police and detectives. Technicians may be investigating an accident or a crime. Crime lab technicians use varied tools and technologies to analyze evidence.
Specialties
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Most crime lab technicians specialize. Specialties include ballistics (guns and weapons) and chemical and physical evidence, which includes blood, tissue, narcotics and DNA. Document technicians study handwriting and paper. Instrument technicians study marks of instruments on victims, while fingerprint technicians study fingerprints, footprints and tire treads. Photograph technicians take photographs. Lie detector tests are given and analyzed by polygraph technicians.
Tools and Equipment
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Microscopes, X-ray machines, infrared photographs, ultraviolet lights and other technologies help technicians examine evidence.
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