A Question of Expertise

How many Forensic Scientists does it take to change a light bulb?  Answer: Two. One to screw it in and one to check for fingerprints.  Okay, it’s a pretty lame joke, but I’m using it to demonstrate that, in the real world, forensic scientists stick to their own area of expertise.

Each member of the forensic teams of CSI demonstrates proficiency in a wide range of disciplines.  There is seemingly no specialism beyond the scope of their expertise.  The use of such a multi-skilled cast of characters is partly a cost issue, of course.  However, engaging the viewer by re-visiting the characters week by week is a good way of developing loyalty to the show. 

In reality, of course, there is a clear demarcation between examinations carried out at the crime scene and those performed in the forensics laboratory.  Within the laboratory itself, a DNA specialist, for example, would not examine documents or perform toxicological analysis.  Each scientist keeps within their own discipline.

Crime scene investigators ‘read’ and reconstruct the events that took place immediately before, during and after the crime was committed.  They ascertain the type and location of the evidence and collect and package it correctly.  They document and photograph their actions throughout.  They also produce reports on their scene visits, which will form the basis of their expert testimony in court.

In the forensics laboratory, the scientists process the pieces of evidence collected by the scene investigator, whilst documenting all their actions in detail.  They too will produce reports on the results of their analyses, and may be summoned to appear in court as expert witnesses.

So you can see that the two roles are not interchangeable.  However, there is nothing to stop a scene investigator with a suitable science degree from moving into the forensics laboratory and training to become an expert in a single discipline.  They will already have a ‘feel’ for forensics, which can be a big advantage during the early stages of their new career.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what sort of forensics expert you want to create.  You could even invent an ‘expert’ who received his certificate of competence to practice from a diploma mill online! 

I’ll finish by wishing all my US readers a Happy Thanksgiving.  I hope you have a wonderful time.