Understanding crime scene examination through an ethnographic lens

Wyatt, David; Wilson‐Kovacs, Dana

doi:10.1002/wfs2.1357

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Ethnographic study is particular suitable in this perspective as it enables to study fieldwork of a particular group of individuals, in a particular environment, and for a long period of time (Beaud et Weber 2010). Recently, Wyatt and Wilson-Kovacs (D. Wyatt et Wilson-Kovacs 2019) used this approach to study crime scene examiners and better understand their role within the criminal justice system. One of their conclusions is that "… ethnographic lens has a lot to offer the academic and practitioner literature on crime scene examination" (p.9).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to share and utilise expertise in a police forensic department through externalisation and mutualisation

2020

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Fire investigation is a forensic domain in which expertise and analogy play a central role. We conducted an ethnographic study in a Swiss forensic police department, aiming at deciphering how fire investigators use analogy to support their work. We also evaluated knowledge conservation and sharing within the department in order to propose a suitable knowledge management strategy. Results highlighted that actionable knowledge is mainly registered in investigators memory and especially in a few, very experienced, individuals. Facing a lack of knowledge during fire incident investigation, an individual generally requires help of a more experienced colleague, who will then uses his memory and analogy to find a possible similar case that can contribute to the solution of the ongoing one. The research also established that knowledge exchanges occur orally during on-site investigation and that knowledge receivers are generally limited to investigators involved in case solving. Based on those findings we suggest building a case library to support the externalization and sharing of knowledge.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to share and utilise expertise in a police forensic department through externalisation and mutualisation

2020

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“…• Ability to convey complexity of CSI and specimens to a range of different people outside of science (Wyatt & Wilson-Kovacs, 2019) Holistic knowledge base…”

Section: Skill Cluster Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…• Crime scene examination accredited training (Wyatt & Wilson-Kovacs, 2019) Life and work experience…”

Section: Skill Cluster Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…a Skill sets are listed alphabetically as they are all given equal weight in terms of importance. b Original findings from Kelty et al ( , 2017 The empirical studies that met inclusion in this review are: Adderley & Bond, 2008;Almazrouei et al, 2020;Chang & Tsai, 2022;Craven et al, 2022;de Gruijter et al, 2017;de Roo et al, 2022;Gardner et al, 2019;Illes et al, 2019;Kelty & Gordon, 2015;Kruse, 2023;Mousseau et al, 2019;Mrevlje, 2015;Sievers, 2020;Sollie et al, 2017;Tehrani, 2023;Vivona, 2014;Wyatt & Wilson-Kovacs, 2019.…”

Section: Moving Forward and Conclusion: Recruiting And Developing Top...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“… e The empirical studies that met inclusion in this review are: Adderley & Bond, 2008; Almazrouei et al, 2020; Chang & Tsai, 2022; Chowdhury, 2021; Craven et al, 2022; de Gruijter et al, 2017; de Roo et al, 2022; Gardner et al, 2019; Illes et al, 2019; Kelty & Gordon, 2015; Kelty et al, 2012; Kruse, 2023; Mousseau et al, 2019; Mrevlje, 2015; Sievers, 2020; Sollie et al, 2017; Tehrani, 2023; Vivona, 2014; Wyatt & Wilson‐Kovacs, 2019. …”

Section: The 2023 Comprehensive and Updated Skill Set Of Top Csesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Identifying the critical skillset of top crime scene examiners: Why this matters and why agencies should develop top performers

Kelty

Ribaux

Robertson

2023

WIREs Forensic Science

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Processing a crime scene is complex. When scenes are processed well, higher quality specimens can be detected and collected. Inadequately managed scenes increase risk of ineffective investigations and poorer justice outcomes. Government reports from around the world have stated that some crime scene examiners outperform their peers. If processing a crime scene is vital for optimal outcomes, then who should we employ, and train, for this complex and challenging role? What skills do they need? In 2010, the seminal work into the technical and non‐technical skills of top crime scene examiners commenced in Australia. This team used empirical techniques from occupational psychology and business management to identify a cluster of 7 key cognitive, social, leadership skills, and technical/scientific knowledge to develop a profile of top crime scene performers. This work was published in a series of papers between 2012 and 2017. In 2023, the original work was combined with current international empirical findings to build a robust, comprehensive, and more generalizable picture of the holistic skillset of top crime scene examiners. The rationale for developing a skillset is to assist forensic agencies to create targeted recruitment procedures and inform the content of early career training programs for their crime scene teams. With recruitment and training done well, organizations are better placed to attract, develop, and retain personnel with potential to excel in complex roles. When top examiners attend scenes, it is possible the risk of poorer justice outcomes arising from crime scene work could be reduced.This article is categorized under: Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > Crime Scene Examination Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > Education and Formation Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > From Traces to Intelligence and Evidence

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Building on the critical skills framework of top crime scene examiners to recruit high‐caliber crime scene investigation candidates

Kelty,

Joshua,

Robertson

2024

WIREs Forensic Science

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Crime scene investigation is challenging and demands highly skilled crime scene examiners. Mistakes occurring during the processing of a crime scene have been associated with higher risk of ineffective investigations where poor quality, missed, or contaminated forensic samples are relied on by police to inform which suspects to charge and can lead to miscarriages of justice and wrongful imprisonments. Hiring new crime scene examiners with the potential to develop into top performers can result in enhanced crime scene investigation and reduce the risk of errors at crime scenes. A series of papers between 2012 and 2023 identified a cluster of seven critical skills and attributes that set top crime scene examiners apart from their lesser performing peers. These seven skills and attributes clusters are as follows: approach to work, life, and stress management; cognitive abilities; communication and interpersonal skills; holistic knowledge base; life and work experience; and professional demeanor. In this perspective paper, we present strategies for developing a recruitment program to target these skill sets which involve the use of appropriate psychometric testing, collaborative team‐based recruitment, team hiring panels, and crime scene observational assessment tasks at interview stage. We also discuss the costs and logistics associated with psychological testing (in Australian dollars). We finish by exploring the potential challenges of attracting younger people (generation Z and Y) to forensic science roles, including crime scene investigation.This article is categorized under: Crime Scene Investigation > Crime Scene Examination Crime Scene Investigation > Crime Scene Reconstruction Crime Scene Investigation > Education and Formation

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Understanding crime scene examination through an ethnographic lens

Cited by 6 publications

References 23 publications

How to share and utilise expertise in a police forensic department through externalisation and mutualisation

How to share and utilise expertise in a police forensic department through externalisation and mutualisation

Identifying the critical skillset of top crime scene examiners: Why this matters and why agencies should develop top performers

Building on the critical skills framework of top crime scene examiners to recruit high‐caliber crime scene investigation candidates

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