Everything you wanted to know about crime scene investigations but were afraid to ask.
Our students are mesmerized with CSI Cleveland and all other television shows showing beautiful young people solving crimes using the latest technology. There are two things to keep in mind. The first is that the CSI series and its clones are such complete fiction that they are hard to watch (at least for us) and second, crime scene investigation is dirty and complex work that most people wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole.
Having said that, it impossible to persuade students from the subject. With that thought in mind, the National Institute of Justice of the US Department of Justice offers a complete array of material covering virtually all aspects of crime scene investigation. For all you budding investigators, enjoy!
Crime in America.Net
Forensic Sciences
Forensic sciences play a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing investigators with scientifically based information through the analysis of physical evidence.
During an investigation, forensic evidence is collected at a crime scene, analyzed in a laboratory and often presented in court. Each crime scene is unique, and each case presents its own challenges. Complex cases may require the collection, examination and analysis of a large amount of evidence. These cases may involve multiple forensic experts with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and other disciplines. These forensic scientists work separately to analyze the evidence in a particular case. For example, one forensic examiner might analyze a latent print, another may compare carpet fibers using a microscope, and a third may identify a white powder that was collected at the scene. The investigators will then combine all of the examiners’ objective results to build a case.
Forensic Sciences Pages
Laboratory Operations
Evidence Backlogs(Show all sub-pages)
DNA Evidence Backlogs: Forensic Casework
DNA Evidence Backlogs: Convicted Offender and Arrestee Samples
Increasing Laboratory Capacity
Untested Evidence in Law Enforcement Agencies
Untested Sexual Assault Evidence in Law Enforcement Custody
Laboratory Capacity Enhancement(Show all sub-pages)
Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program (DNA.gov)
Convicted Offender and Arrestee DNA Backlog Reduction Program (DNA.gov)
Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement (DNA.gov)
Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program
Information Systems and Databases(Show all sub-pages)
National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs.gov)
Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) (DNA.gov)
Forensic Databases: Paint, Shoe Prints, and Beyond (NIJ Journal)
Evidence — Types of
Forensic Anthropology and Dentistry Alternative Genetic Markers (DNA.gov)
Forensic DNA
Forensic Laboratory Enhancement Funding (DNA.gov)
- Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction (DNA.gov)
- Convicted Offender/Arrestee DNA Backlog Reduction (DNA.gov)
- Forensic DNA Unit Efficiency Improvement (DNA.gov)
Postconviction DNA Testing
- Postconviction DNA Testing Is at Core of Major NIJ Initiatives (NIJ Journal article)
- Funding for Postconviction Testing (DNA.gov)
- Postconviction DNA Testing: Handling Postconviction Requests (DNA.gov)
Solving Cold Cases With DNA
Using DNA to Solve Property Crimes
Impression and Pattern Evidence
Investigations — Types of
Cold Case Investigation(Show all sub-pages)
Solving Cold Cases With DNA Funding Program (DNA.gov)
Using DNA to Solve Cold Cases (DNA.gov)
Crime Scene Examination(Show all sub-pages)
Crime Scene Investigation: Guides for Law Enforcement
- General Crime Scenes
- Death Scenes
- Fire and Arson Scenes
- Bomb and Explosion Scenes
- Electronic Crime Scene Investigation
- Equipment Needed for Crime Scene Investigation
- Glossary
Death Investigation(Show all sub-pages)
Death Investigation Symposium Exit Notice [opens in pop-up window]
Medicolegal Death Investigation Training
A Guide to Death Scene Investigation
- Arriving at the Death Scene
- Evaluating the Scene
- Documenting and Evaluating the Body
- Establishing Decedent Profile Information
- Completing the Investigation
Fire and Arson Investigation(Show all sub-pages)
Guide for Investigating Fire and Arson
- Arriving at the Scene
- Evaluating the Scene
- Documenting the Scene
- Processing the Scene
- Completing the Investigation
Missing Persons Investigations(Show all sub-pages)
Solving Missing Persons Cases (NIJ Journal)
National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs.gov)
Identifying Missing Persons and Unidentified Decedents (DNA.gov)
Funding to Identify Missing Persons (DNA.gov)
Mass Fatality Investigations(Show all sub-pages)
Mass Fatality Incidents: A Guide for Human Forensic Identification
Lessons Learned From 9/11: DNA Identification in Mass Fatality Incidents (DNA.gov)
Postconviction Testing
Postconviction DNA Testing Is at Core of Major NIJ Initiatives (NIJ Journal article)
Funding for Postconviction Testing (DNA.gov)
Postconviction DNA Testing: Handling Postconviction Requests (DNA.gov)
Training — Curriculum Development and Course Delivery
Forensic Science Training Development and Delivery Program (DNA.gov)
Available Course Topics(Show all sub-pages)
Courtroom Presentation and Officers of the Court
Pattern and Impression Evidence
Laboratory Management & Administration
Medicolegal Death Investigation
Toxicology and Controlled Substance
Hide all sub-pagesResearch (DNA.gov)(Show all sub-pages)
