How to Understand the Tools CSI Professionals Use on the Job

Every crime scene is completely different from the next, and for that reason, CSI professionals must carry a plethora of CSI tools so that every eventuality is covered. In some states, a medical examiner will also come to all homicide scenes and bring certain tools, but CSI professionals are responsible for most of the collection of evidence. Following is an explanation for some of the most common tools used by CSI professionals on the job.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Tools for Evidence Collection

1. Evidence buttons are tiny sealable baggies used to collect trace evidence, such as hairs and fibers. They are easy to label and are used for evidence that is too small to be kept in an evidence envelope.
2. Swab boxes are long, thin cardboard boxes that suspend cotton swabs and allow them to dry. Swabs of fluids are the most common type of evidence.
3. Disposable scalpels and blades are used to cut carpet, clothing or any other evidence of which CSI professionals require a sample. They consist of a long plastic handle where one can attach a sharp blade at the end.
4. Collection tubes are tiny plastic tubes used to keep sand, dirt, powder and other substances safe for transportation to the lab.
5. Poly-tubing is a roll of plastic bags that can be torn to make any size bag required by the CSI professional.
6. Evidence slide boxes, which are similar in shape and function to a matchbox, are used to hold evidence containers such as evidence tubes and evidence buttons.
7. Understand that there are hundreds of other tools used for evidence collection. New products come out every year, and the world of CSI evidence collection changes all the time.
8. Tweezers, pliers, scissors and files are used to collect evidence when it cannot simply be picked up.

Tools for Fingerprint Examination

9. Fingerprint powder is used to lift fingerprints from non-porous surfaces, such as tables and doors, and adheres to the oils left by fingers to raise ridge detail.
10. Fingerprint lift tape (adhesive tape) can be used to lift fingerprints from porous surfaces and must be malleable enough to conform to a latent print.
11. Fingerprint brushes are small brushes made of fiberglass or feathers that are used to dust over fingerprint powder to bring latent prints to surface. They must be soft enough to clear away the powder and leave the fingerprints visible.
12. Fingerprint kits are small briefcase-like cases that hold fingerprint powder, brushes, adhesives and other fingerprinting tools. They can also be called field or patrol kits.

Tools for Evidence Detection

13. Alternate light sources, such as the LumaLite, are used to detect fluids at crime scenes. An alternate light source will use UV rays to illuminate blood, semen, chemicals and other fluids in a dark room.
14. Cameras, now often digital cameras, are used to photograph every crime scene. Cameras with the ability to photograph fibers and trace evidence are necessary, and crime scene photos will be examined at length later in the investigation. It is imperative that there be a photographic record of every aspect of a crime scene.
15. Luminol is an important substance used by CSI professionals before using an alternate light source. Luminol reacts to the iron in blood, so when sprayed, it causes blood to shine under the alternate light source.
16. Ninhydrin is a purplish substance used to identify latent prints on certain surfaces, such as paper, by reacting with amino acids.

What to Look For:

• www.nscdiscovery.org www.rcgravel.com

Tips & Warnings

• Visit R.C. Gravel's Crime Scene Investigation page for more information about tools CSI professionals use.
• Visit the National Science Center's Web site to read about detailed CSI tool descriptions.

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix
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