Crime Scene Examiners and Volume Crime Investigations: An Empirical Study of Perception and Practice

Abstract

Most police forces in the UK employ specially trained crime scene examiners (CSEs) to provide forensic science support to the investigation of crime. Previous research has shown wide variations in the management, deployment, and performance of this staff group. There is also evidence that informal elements of professional and organisational culture, in particular the role characterisations of crime scene examiners, also have a bearing on their effective use in the investigation of high volume property crime. These issues are explored as part of a more extensive study of forensic science provision in the two largest police forces in Scotland and by the four main Scottish Police Services Authority Forensic Services (SPSA FS) units. A range of staff in these organisations described their understandings of the role of crime scene examiners -as evidence collectors, forensic investigators, specialist advisers, or any combination of these. Whilst two thirds (62%) of respondents recognised the complexity and scope of the role of CSEs including its cognitive elements, a substantial minority (38%) categorised the role as having a single element -collecting evidence -and therefore perceived it as limited largely mechanical in character. The reasons for, and consequences of, this perception are considered, and the paper concludes with a challenge to reconsider this limited view of what crime scene examiners can contribute to volume crime investigations.

The progressive opening of forensic science toward criminological concerns

“…This approach presents moreover the managerial advantage that employees with a minimum training will be able to perform the task. When police and forensic science practitioners are interviewed, they surprisingly often agree with this viewpoint (Ludwig et al, 2012). This may be explained by a perception that compliance equates to quality.…”

Utility of the clue — From assessing the investigative contribution of forensic science to supporting the decision to use traces

“…Laboratory scientists perceive crime scene investigators as mere evidence collectors (as opposed to forensic investigators or specialist advisor), without following a reasoning process or selection criteria, and hence, do not acknowledge their substantial contribution to the complete process [23]. Forensic scientists can assume several different roles corresponding to differentiated needs imposed by the structural or procedural constraints.…”

A Model for Managing Crime Scene Examiners

“…Performance indicators do not appear to follow any standard measure, although typical discussions regarding scene examinations focus on the technical or procedural role of CSEs which lend themselves more easily to measurement (Ludwig et al 2012). Kelty (2011) asks the question "even if procedures are properly documented, properly followed, and techniques properly applied, does this assure high-quality and highly effective outcomes at the crime scene?"…”

“…crimes of violence versus property crime. Furthermore, the acceptance of CSEs by police investigative teams and their integration into police investigations hinges on the perceptions of their role as well as what they can contribute (Ludwig et al 2012). …”