Crime Lab Procedures

Crime Scene

Crime labs are run by forensic scientists who are charged with the task of comparing evidence found at the scene of a crime to evidence brought in off suspects in the crime. There are certain procedures that these scientists follow so that their findings will not be questioned in a court of law. The first procedure is for a crime scene to be protected until all evidence is found. Police will put up crime scene tape and guard the area to keep bystanders from wandering in and damaging evidence.

Chain of Evidence

A chain of evidence is kept to ensure that the material collected is not tampered with. Every item is bagged, labeled and logged in as to who brought the evidence to the lab. The process does not stop there. Every time the evidence is needed for testing, or the bag is opened to examine the object, it must be logged. The information listed includes who did the testing and what test was done. A document number might also be added so that the paperwork with regard to the test can be found in the files. The containment of the evidence is not just to make sure that a log is kept of testing, but it is also for the protection of the evidence to make sure it is not contaminated by other substances.

Paperwork

Procedures in a crime lab also include the testing and paperwork involved with it. When tests are done on evidence, reports must be filled out that explain the findings and how the tests were done. This report is needed unless it is called into evidence in court.

References

• Forensics
• The Forensic Laboratory