NCJ Number
65972
Date Published
1978
Length
98 pages
Annotation
A LEAA-FUNDED PROGRAM FOCUSING ON REDUCING THE COMMUNICATIONS GAP BETWEEN FORENSIC SCIENTISTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTITIONERS THROUGH PRESENTATION OF A FORENSIC SCIENCE SEMINAR IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE SEMINAR WAS TO ENLIGHTEN LEGAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTITIONERS THROUGHOUT THE NATION REGARDING THE CURRENT STATE-OF-THE-ART IN FORENSIC SCIENCE. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES INCLUDED DEVELOPING AND REFINING THE FORENSIC SCIENCE SEMINAR, PREPARING APPROPRIATE VISUAL AIDS TO ENHANCE THE PRESENTATION, ASSEMBLING LEADING FORENSIC SCIENCE EXPERTS AS LECTURERS, AND PRESENTING THE SEMINAR. DURING THE PROJECT PERIOD, A SEMINAR ENTITLED 'SUSPICIOUS DEATH INVESTIGATION' WAS CREATED AND PRODUCED FOR PRESENTATION BEFORE THE GROUP OF NONSCIENTIFIC LEGAL PRACTITIONERS. APPROPRIATE VISUAL AIDS WERE CREATED, AND A NINE MEMBER PANEL OF OUTSTANDING FORENSIC SCIENTISTS WAS SELECTED FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE DRAMATIZATION. THE PROGRAM UTILIZED THE SCENARIO IN WHICH A NEWLY ELECTED PROSECUTOR, ANXIOUS TO SUCCESSFULLY TRY A HOMICIDE CASE, MEETS WITH VARIOUS FORENSIC SCIENCE EXPERTS WHO HAVE WORKED ON DIFFERENT FACETS OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE EXPERTS INCLUDE A CRIME SCENE TECHNICIAN, A FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST, A FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER, A PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLIGIST, AND A FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIST. THE PROGRAM WAS PRESENTED BEFORE A COMBINED AUDIENCE OF THE NATIONAL COLLEGE OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND THE NATIONAL COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS, AND THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE. IN ADDITION, A VIDEOTAPE PRESENTATION WAS ALSO ENGINEERED WHICH IS PRESENTLY AVAILABLE TO INTERESTED LEGAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUPS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT WORKSHOPS FOR POLICE AND LEGAL PRACTITIONERS IN THE PROPER UTILIZATION OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCES BE SPONSORED AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS. IN ADDITION, LAW SCHOOLS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC COURSES IN THE CAPABILITIES OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCES. THE LEAA SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING BY ALLOCATING FUNDS TO THOSE INSTITUTIONS SPONSORING SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)