First Responder News

First Responder News - June 2013

Greetings!

Exciting news for the forensic community!

The International Association of Identification (I.A.I.) brings together the forensic disciplines in criminalistics to one organization, including bloodstain pattern analysis, crime scene investigation, digital evidence, firearm and toolmark, footwear and tire track, forensic anthropology, forensic art, forensic laboratory analysis, forensic odontology, forensic photography and electronic digital imaging, forensic podiatry, latent prints/fingerprint identification/AFIS and question documents.

Pennsylvania has not had had a State Division of the Association for several years. There is a growing desire not only by those working directly in the criminal forensics field, but detectives, medicolegal death investigators, and forensic nurses, to re-start the Pennsylvania Division of the International Association for Identification. The I.A.I. has authorized the sub-division of the state to form the Southeast Sub-Division of the PA-I.A.I.

Many in our field today do not realize the benefits the State Division could bring including state specific training, networking, research, references, current affairs, and certifications. With your interest and support, it is our hope that we can organize the Southeast Sub-Division of the Pennsylvania Division of the I.A.I. and begin offering one day conferences in the near future.

Please speak to your colleagues and pass along the benefits this organization can bring to our field. If you are interested in being part of the Southeast Sub-Division of the Pennsylvania Division of the I.A.I, please click here to e-mail your name and organization. We will be passing this information along to the I.A.I. We will keep you posted about the progress of this exciting new opportunity.

Upcoming NFTC Classes & Special Program

(Click title for more information.)

Basic Medicolegal Death Investigation

June 13, 2013

Basic Crime Scene Photography for the First Responder

June 18, 2013

Fall 2013 Schedule

Special Programs

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NEW! Bloodstain Pattern Analysis on Fabric

July 29 - August 2, 2013

NEW! Buried Body & Surface Skeleton

Sept. 9-13, 2013

NEW! Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

September 23-27, 2013

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INVESTIGATIVE TIPS & TECHNIQUES:

CRIME SCENE NOTES & REPORTS

Andy Kehm, D-ABMDI, Program Manager, NFTC Detective/Sergeant (Active) Bethlehem Police Department Forensic Services Unit

It can be amazing how differently your report can read when the case goes to trial. That's when you sit there, after reviewing everything, wondering WHAT? What I try to do is reflect back to several major cases I have worked and "Self Analyze," for the lack of a better phrase. What worked and what did not? For the things that did not work; why didn't it work, and what could be done better next time?

(See February 2013 Tips & Trick article - Did You Get It and Did It Work?)

I've heard the arguments on both sides of the fence, when it comes to maintaining the case notes on all cases. Keeping it simple; some say the narrative report should include all the information from the notes, but in articulated detail. The other argument states the notes should be maintained as an "Item of Evidence." This is a Policy, S.O.P., or Directive issue for each agency to take on individually.

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IN THE NEWS

Searching Out Evidence: Electronic Forensics Offers Critical Information

times-standard.com

As information technology expands into every corner of our lives, Humboldt County court and law enforcement officials agree that electronic forensics has grown to play a critical role in criminal cases.

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Dead Teach the Living at Forensic Symposium

republicanherald.com

"Mortui Vivos Docent." The Latin term meaning "The dead teach the living" is often used in medical schools. On Saturday, Schuylkill County Coroner David J. Moylan III used the term to describe the significance of the second annual Forensic Symposium at the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute.

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Get Real, Forensic Scientists: the CSI Effect is Waning

theconversation.com

You've heard of the so-called CSI effect - the manner in which the exaggerated portrayal of forensic science on crime television shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation influences public perception.

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The Evolution of Computer Forensics

financialmirror.com

Since the World Wide Web revolution in 1991, there has been significant growth in the use of computers, internet, e-mail, and recently cell phones for committing financial fraud and other criminal activities.
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SCIENTIFIC WORKING GROUP PAPERS

Regional Medicolegal Autopsy and Death Investigation Centers 3 -Construction, Staffing, and Costs-

swgmdi.org

Given the shortage of forensic pathologists and adequately equipped and staffed forensic autopsy facilities in the United States, a regional system of medicolegal autopsy and death investigation facilities might be an effective and efficient way of serving the needs for quality serves in underserved areas of the United States.

SWGMDI's ACET Committee: Recommendations for Certification and Training of Medicolegal Death Investigation Personnel

swgmdi.org

It is recommended that all forensic personnel responsible for investigating deaths (coroners, medical examiners, and investigators) be certified by an accrediting certifying body.

SWGMDI's Research in Forensic Pathology/Medicolegal Death Investigation

swgmdi.org

The medicolegal death investigation system oversees the investigation of certain disorders that typically do not fall under the domain of academic hospitals, and thus are not generally autopsied in academic pathology departments in which research is not only permissible (with informed consent) but also strongly encouraged and fostered.