In the Moment and Right After
The first people on the scene are typically police officers, who may be able to interrupt a crime in progress and capture the perpetrators or suspects. Law enforcement officials attempt to piece together what transpired in cases where the crime has already been committed. In either case, they follow a procedure to acquire proof to back up a criminal accusation and conviction.
Police personnel
Police officers may intervene to prevent a crime from happening, capture suspects or offenders, find and speak with witnesses on the scene, or secure the area. Police officers or detectives may occasionally receive assistance from crime scene investigators (CSIs) in recording the crime scene and acquiring evidence.
A forensic investigator or evidence technician are other names for a CSI. They could be a seasoned member of law enforcement or a layperson with forensic science training.
Investigators at crime scenes
CSIs maintain crime scenes, conduct methodical evidence searches, and gather and preserve physical evidence. Additionally, they speak with witnesses in interviews. They also take pictures of crime scenes, evidence, and any victims’ bodies who have passed away. Measurements are made at the crime scene and in the vicinity of the evidence, and CSIs also look for and gather latent evidence like fingerprints, chemicals, and bodily fluids.
Investigative photographers
Some larger departments may hire a separate forensic photographer to assist police officers and detectives in their work, while CSIs may snap pictures of the scene. Forensic photographers capture the bodies at the location, shoot the complete crime scene, and take photos of all the evidence.
Detectives
After committing a crime, detectives enter the scene to fulfill numerous essential jobs. They conduct most of the investigation, speak with witnesses, interrogate suspects, and obtain technical and other expert assessments.
Next to the Scene
Work in the lab continues after the scene’s evidence has been gathered. Forensic experts examine the evidence to aid police and detectives in their investigation. They may assist in gathering evidence on the stage, but their unique skills become apparent in the analysis they carry out after the evidence is gathered.
Laboratory experts
The category of “lab specialist” occupations is broad. Forensic technicians, for instance, examine DNA and other materials recovered from the crime scene, tie suspects to the crime using DNA results and other scientific evidence, and consult with other experts in related fields as necessary.
Ballistic technicians are lab experts that examine firearms and ammo recovered from the crime scene, contrast seized weapons with those used in the offense, and determine which gun may have been used based on evidence found at the location.