What CSI Looks Like in Real Life

The primary goal of a homicide detective is to uncover and arrest those responsible for a crime. The work of a forensic crime scene investigator may sound less glamorous, but it is equally important. Investigators carefully gather the evidence needed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the person is guilty. It is notoriously difficult to close cases without any physical evidence as circumstantial evidence alone is difficult to build a case around. Fortunately, advances in crime scene technology have made it possible for investigators to put together smaller pieces of the puzzle, enabling law enforcement to crack some of the most difficult cases.

Before IAFIS and FDDU and Processing Today

The Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) is an electronic database of criminal fingerprints, mug shots, and other information. Before the system was introduced in 1999, processing fingerprints was a lengthy and labor intensive process. Today, processing fingerprints found at crime scenes through IAFIS takes less than 30 minutes, and the system has over 34 million prints from civilians.

Different states increasingly recognize the importance of collecting mandatory DNA samples from perpetrators of specific crimes. The Federal DNA Database Unit (FDDU) is currently in its infancy. However, it has helped solve thousands of investigations to date. Currently, the system uses 13 DNA markers and has approximately 100,000 entries from distinct individuals. The average processing time for an unknown DNA sample with FDDU is 22 days. Previously, investigators would have to work to find an exact match, which is comparable to finding a needle in a haystack.

Evidence Found by Crime Scene Cleaning Teams

Trauma cleaning teams are typically not permitted to enter the crime scene until after the scene has been fully processed. Death cleanup services are not associated with government agencies. It is rare for crime scene cleaners to find trace evidence that was overlooked in the initial processing of the scene. With growing electronic databases, professional technicians are aware of the importance of evidence. They work closely with law enforcement on a daily basis, so that if they spot something amiss, they will immediately cease work and contact the appropriate authorities.

After police and other agencies are done, crime scene cleaning teams can be hired to step in and take measures to sanitize the scene, returning it to a safe, normal state. Investigators may use luminal or other chemicals to look for blood or bodily fluids; Additionally, Aftermath employs ATP testing, which checks for the presence of specific microorganisms found in the human body. They also know how to clean and deodorize the area after the use of harsh chemicals such as those used in evidence collection, fingerprinting, or even tear gas.

A Trauma Cleaning Team Can Help Loved Ones Find Closure

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