NCJ Number
32296
Date Published
1976
Length
35 pages
Annotation
JANUARY 1976 REPORT ON SURVEY CONDUCTED FOR THIS FOUR-MAN SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT LABORATORY WHICH SERVICES SOME 30 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN A COUNTY HAVING AN AREA OF 1200 SQUARE MILES AND 887,500 RESIDENTS.
Abstract
THIS SURVEY WAS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON AN OBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF THE CURRENT WORKLOAD, A DETERMINATION OF THE MANPOWER REQUIRED FOR THIS WORKLOAD, AN ASSESSMENT OF NECESSARY PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS, AND AN EVALUATION OF CURRENT PRACTICES AND THE RECOMMENDATION OF GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING AND SECURITY OF EVIDENCE. THE INTERNAL INFLUENCES EXPLORED INCLUDED WORK HOURS, PAY STRUCTURE, COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS, BUDGET, AND SPACE. THE EXTERNAL INFLUENCES INCLUDED POPULATION CHANGES, RELATIONS WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS, COURT APPEARANCES, AND LAWS AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO EVIDENCE DISPOSITION. THE STUDY INVOLVED STAFF INTERVIEWS, A SURVEY OF PROCEDURES, AND ANALYSIS OF REPORT DATA. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS INCLUDED THAT THE CRIME LABORATORY HAD THE POTENTIAL TO MEET BOTH CURRENT AND FUTURE COUNTY NEEDS, THAT THERE WAS SUFFICIENT SPACE FOR EXPANSION, THAT THE PAY SCALE WAS ADEQUATE, AND THAT THE EQUIPMENT, WITH SOME ADDITIONS AND UPGRADING WOULD BE ADEQUATE. AREAS NEEDING IMPROVEMENT ARE IDENTIFIED AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS MADE, INCLUDING THE NEED FOR MORE PERSONNEL. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS A CHART OF TYPICAL CRIME LABORATORY PAY SCALES FOR 1974-75. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)