|
| |
Criminal Investigation
This is an important topic to me personally and to all writers of crime fiction.
Because we are interested in justice and truth, we support the efforts of those
who work to achieve those goals. Sadly, our labs don't look anything like
those portrayed on television. In fact, in 2003, the Las Vegas lab
(the one depicted on CSI on television) was evicted from its space.
Have you ever been involved in a crime and said to yourself, "Dear God, don't
let me die in this jurisdiction?"
Crime Labs/Forensic Scientists
Well-equipped, fully staffed crime labs benefit everyone.
They help protect the innocent while providing information and evidence to put
the real bad guys away.
Do you know that:
- Some of the equipment you see on television is fabricated for dramatic
effect? Our scientists wish they had 21-inch color monitors.
- Fingerprint identification can take months?
- If a
scientist does nothing else, DNA still takes almost a week?
- Those who work in crime labs earn about one fourth what scientists earn in
the private sector?
The CSI Effect
Thanks to television programs like CSI and Forensic Files,
we have a greater understanding of how science can help the crime solving
process. However, these programs are entertainment. Real crime labs
are under-funded, short-staffed and can only dream of having such spacious and
well-equipped facilities.
As citizens, we must remember this when we sit on juries. Our crime labs
struggle to do the bare minimum. Many cases are solved through solid
detective work and forensic tests are not always necessary to convict. We, as
citizens and jurors, must not overburden the labs by requiring unnecessary and
costly tests. If the bad guy is recorded by the security camera robbing
the store, we don't need forensic tests to prove he did it.
Additionally, we must demand that appropriate tests are performed when needed.
The
backlog of unprocessed rape kits is a crime against every woman you know.
DNA is not the biggest portion of the backlog however. Toxicology and
firearms examination backlogs are problems as well. That DUI conviction
may not happen if the toxicology tests are late.
What can you do to help? Call your congressman and senators. Ask
them to provide funding for something truly important to all of us.
Want more information? Visit
www.crimelabproject.com.
Homeland Security
The amount of money earmarked for homeland security is
staggering. Sadly, little of it goes to improve things on a local level.
As citizens, are we asking questions about how and where our
homeland security tax dollars are spent? Did your local politicians spend
the money on the crime lab or did they buy a safety seminar in Palm Springs for
the mayor? We should demand that government officials be held accountable
for how they spend our money.
Forensic scientists want to do the things we see on
television. What are we doing to ensure that they can?
Citizens Police and Fire Academies
If your local police or fire departments offer a citizens' academy, I
encourage you to attend. Not only will you learn about the important work
performed by these emergency responders, you will reach a greater understanding
of what we require of them. In addition, you will find out about the laws
that control how they do their jobs and the funding (or lack thereof) under which they operate.
If your local departments do not have academies, take a tour during a community
open house or talk to local officials about getting an academy started.
more to come....
|
