NCJ Number
32006
Editor(s)
R H FOX,
F H WYNBRANDT
Date Published
1976
Length
280 pages
Annotation
VARIOUS ASPECTS OF CRIME LABORATORY MANAGEMENT ARE EXPLORED IN THIS COLLECTION OF THIRTEEN ARTICLES WHOSE TOPICS RANGE FROM AN OVERVIEW OF CRIME LABORATORY MANAGEMENT TO REPORT WRITING.
Abstract
SUBJECTS COVERED INCLUDE THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINALIST AS EXECUTIVE; PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES; REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE CRIMINALISTICS PROFESSION; AND THE USER'S VIEW OF CRIME LABORATORIES. ONE AUTHOR FORECASTS A NOT-SO-BRIGHT FUTURE FOR CRIME LABORATORIES UNLESS THE QUALITY AND ACCURACY OF CRIME LAB REPORTS ARE CONTINUALLY REASSURED THROUGH PROFICIENCY TESTING AND QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAMS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE ROLE OF THE EVIDENCE TECHNICIAN FIELD OPERATIONS; THE CONTENTS OF A GOOD LABORATORY REPORT; AND WAYS IN WHICH TO DISCREDIT PERJURIOUS EXPERT WITNESSES CALLED IN BY THE DEFENSE. OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO CRIME LABORATORY MANAGERS SHOULD BE THE CHAPTERS ON PLANNING, PROGRAMMING, AND BUDGETING AS APPLIED TO CRIME LABORATORIES; MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES; HOW TO PREPARE PROPOSALS FOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS; AND THE ROLE OF RESEARCH IN THE CRIME LABORATORY. TWO PORTIONS OF A SURVEY OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCES PROFESSION THAT WAS CARRIED OUT IN 1975 BY THE FORENSIC SCIENCES FOUNDATION ARE ALSO INCLUDED; THEY DEAL WITH THE VIEWS OF THE USERS AND THE PRACTITIONERS OF FORENSIC SCIENCE. (SNI ABSTRACT)