Do you think more cold case detectives should be hired to solve cold cases with new technologies such as DNA t
346173
I think that we should focus on the crimes at hand instead of digging up old stories. The family members involved in cold cases are probably dealing with the grief, and don't need to be unnessicarily reminded of their loss.
966255
Do you mean re-creating the crime scene for witnesses?\nThis would not be possible for the most part, as we would have no realistic idea of what sounds/odour were there at the time.  \nThe best option we have is interviewing witnesses as soon as possible after the fact so that information is fresh in their minds.   You are right though, sometimes a witness will leave out something that the investigator may not think to ask at the time.
815806
Yes.  All live cells in the body carry the complete genetic code for the whole body.  This is also why police forensics can identify a person from DNA found in various body fluids, such as the blood or even the saliva (it would have inside cheek cells in it, probably).
1044616
They can be either. In my first department, the detectives were the "CSI". In my current department, non-sworn civilians are the "CSI" people. They took specialized training to do the job.
576895
try pharmaceuticals, genetic research or crime scene investigation / forensics.
255225
I think an education never hurts.\n\nBut, if I were you, I would contact a few investigative firms near my home.  I would find out if they could use someone young, who is willing to work for less money in exchange for on-the-job training.  The work may be a little boring to begin with, but nothing is as important as experience.
304323
That is like asking if Beethoven's music is as good as Mozart's. It would just be opinion. In my opinion, DNA is more important right now.
680106
In criminal cases, this generally involves obtaining samples from crime-scene evidence and a suspect, extracting the DNA, and analyzing it for the presence of a set of specific DNA regions (markers).\n\nScientists find the markers in a DNA sample by designing small pieces of DNA (probes) that will each seek out and bind to a complementary DNA sequence in the sample. A series of probes bound to a DNA sample creates a distinctive pattern for an individual. Forensic scientists compare these DNA profiles to determine whether the suspect's sample matches the evidence sample. A marker by itself usually is not unique to an individual; if, however, two DNA samples are alike at four or five regions, odds are great that the samples are from the same person.\n\nIf the sample profiles don't match, the person did not contribute the DNA at the crime scene.
17516
It depends on the department they work for, along with the job title and specifications. CSI isn't a nationwide title, and some forensic duties are carried out by police.
688800
heck yes!! I think that would be pretty cool. who wouldnt love to think back and remember when you played a dead person on CSI. i think it would be a great story to telll the grandkids. lol
906658
I'm pretty positive that it's just for the drama of television.\n\nA real crime scene investigator will definitely take all the light they can get.  They might check the light switch for fingerprints before they use it, but trust me, they're gonna turn the lights on!
257041
No they shouldn't be. They are definitely a good investigative tool for law enforcement, but the results aren't totally reliable.
1149155
I assume South Australia is doing what a lot of the states are here in the US.  They are storing the information in order to help solve crimes.  There have been SEVERAL cases in the states where old crimes have been solved based on what they call a "cold hit" with someone's DNA matching the crime scene evidence but had no other way of knowing it was that person (it is always re-tested to make sure).\n\nIt is also being used for solving future crimes in the same manner, when the crime scene DNA is entered, there may be DNA already in the system matching it.\n\nAt this point, at least in CA, only convicted felons' DNA is going on file (along with a few others under court order only).  So the average joe won't be in the system unless they were a victim or something like that.\n\nI don't believe it will be a public system, none in the states are.  I am not sure what good a genetic profile would do an average citizen, but none of the names of those individuals in the system is public here for privacy rights.  I would assume only law enforcement would have access.\n\nThe best way to find out is to contact your govt official, they should be able to tell you what the parameters of your law is.
559721
the more we find out the more possibilities we discover. think about transplants, about crime scenes, prenatal medicine... who knows what discoveries can be made and how they can contribute to the wellness of mankind.
281294
yes, the quality might not be great but polymerase chain reaction can increase the amount of DNA to an amount that can be used for analysis.
594852
Here is a little info. See the sources I've listed below. They will tell you alot more. \n\nThe Forensic Investigation Unit provides expertise at crime scenes through the use of photography, identification, evidence collection, processing and preservation. Technicians also perform latent fingerprint comparisons, forensic artistry and provide expert court testimony.\n\nThere are four types of technicians in the unit: Crime Scene Technician, Latent Fingerprint Specialist, Photo Lab Technician, and Office Support Specialist. In addition to skills required by their specialization, each technician must have a exceptional understanding of law enforcement techniques and needs to perform their assigned tasks in a way that assists future courtroom proceedings.\n\nCrime Scene Technician:\nHighly trained and capable Crime Scene Technicians provide mobile crime lab services at major crime scenes by scene photography, processing for latent fingerprints and collecting, identifying, classifying and preserving evidence. Crime Scene Technicians perform presumptive blood tests, gunpowder residue tests, and plaster cast impression molds. They process bodies of the deceased for trace evidence and fingerprints when necessary. They also fingerprint living and deceased subjects for identification. Technicians must be ready to testify in court to their findings and methods in criminal and civil cases.\n\nLatent Fingerprint Specialist\nFingerprint Specialists examine and evaluate the latent prints developed and lifted at crime scenes. They search for ridge detail and clarity to determine whether the print is sufficient for comparison. Comparisons are made between the print from the scene and prints of known individuals at the request of detectives and officers with the department for identification of the perpetrators of crimes.\n\nA vital role of the specialist is to enter and compare prints in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System or AFIS. This computer capability allows more comparisons in shorter time periods but it is ultimately the specialist who make the identification. Specialists must also be prepared to testify to their identifications in court.\n\nPhoto Lab Technician\nThe Tampa Police photo lab is responsible for processing and printing all Fire and Police Department crime scenes along with public relations photography. These technicians are very proficient in photography and photographic development techniques, both of which are crucial in the assignment they occupy. These technicians are responsible for a wide variety of complex and expensive equipment and maintain photographic negatives for future examination.\n\nOffice Support Specialists\nA sometimes neglected aspect of any organization or function is the record keeping and data management. Our Office Support Specialists play an essential in successfully achieving ID's goals. These technicians work to quantify data about arrests made, maintain city personnel files and criminal files, and staff the service desk for photo requests. These tasks are but a few of the functions of their highly demanding job roles
432528
Yes and they should make a show about that. I can see it now, scientists shooting visitors with tranquilizer guns and tagging them for later research. Awesome...