Professionalization and Crime Scene Examination

ABSTRACT

In this paper we critically examine the current status of the crime scene examiner within the broader context of forensic science as a profession. Crime scene examination is often not included in reports dealing with forensic science such as the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report, and this has implications for the professional status of crime scene examiners. We propose that crime scene examination is an integral part of forensic science and that crime scene examination is part of the forensic science profession. However, the lack of professional structures and some key elements of a “profession” work against general acceptance by the relevant community. We argue that in order for crime scene examination as a discipline to achieve this level of recognition and acceptance, it will need to address issues of entry qualification, training, regulation, and develop a research culture to improve its knowledge base.

KEYWORDS:

• Crime scene investigation
• profession
• forensic science
• professionalization
• leadership

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge the cooperation and frankness of the participants who gave up their time to talk to us about their experiences of working alongside CSEs. Specifically they acknowledge the help and assistance from police members and staff of the Australian Federal Police Forensic and Data Centres, Australian Capital Territory Policing, Victoria Police, Tasmania Police, New South Wales Police Force, South Australian Police, University of Technology, Sydney, and the Canberra Institute of Technology in identifying the skills and attributes of crime scene personnel who excel.

FUNDING

The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of the Australian Research Council (LP0882797) and their industry linkage partners, Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police Forensic and Data Centres, and the National Institute of Forensic Science for funding the collaborative research project “The Effectiveness of Forensic Science in the Criminal Justice System.” For further information about this study please see their web page http://www.utas.edu.au/tiles/research_projects/forensic_science_project.htmlproject.