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Taphophilia (dot) Com...
A repository of morbid curiosities:
Thanatology and Taphophile Issues, Cemetery,
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Real-life forensic work not what you see on TV |
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Written by DeadGirl
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Friday, 10 June 2005 |
Real-life forensic work not what you see on TV
By Sheryl Marsh
DAILY Staff Writer
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On television, you see investigators collect hair from a murder victim's hand, take it to a laboratory for testing and, within minutes, get a match for a possible killer.
"Hmm, so that's how they do it," you might think of local authorities.
Forget it.
Results are not that easy, not in most forensic labs, anyway.
Like many, you might watch "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" on CBS each week. If you do, you're seeing a world of forensic sciences that is mostly unknown to area authorities and could give false impressions to victims and their families.
"Certainly some of it is impossible," said Roger Morrison, director of the state Department of Forensic Sciences regional lab at Huntsville.
"They consult in computer databases that don't exist," said Morrison. "There are some databases that we usually search, but a lot of them on the TV programs don't exist. Like the fiber type databases where they do tests on fiber from a crime scene to identify certain fibers.
"They do microscopic cross section to find out who the manufacturer is, how many yards were produced and where it was shipped to," Morrison said. "That's good information, but it does not exist in your regular lab systems."
He said the FBI would be the only agency to have equipment comparable to that.
During any "CSI: New York" or "CSI: Miami" episode, you will likely see an investigator take evidence to forensics for testing and get results right away.
"I saw it once when they brought in a case where the detective wanted DNA performed, and he said he wanted it 'right now.' He sat in a chair and waited for it," Morrison said.
"Well, that's not going to happen because, first, it's physically impossible to do that in such a short period of time."
It takes weeks, months and sometimes years to get test results back to law enforcement authorities, Morrison said.
He explained that most forensic labs have backlogs due to a shortage of funding.
Morgan County District Attorney Bob Burrell said he has about 100 cases awaiting forensic test results.
Burrell explained that because of the backlog in this state, he prioritizes the evidence he submits for testing.
"Naturally, we have to send all evidence in drug cases for testing to confirm what the drugs are," Burrell said. "Also, in rape cases and molestation cases involving children, we don't want to wait, so we make those priority."
Evidence in homicide cases top the list, too, Burrell said.
Side effects for court
The court system experiences side effects from "CSI." Burrell said he and his staff frequently must explain to juries that eyewitness testimony is still good, despite the hype about DNA.
"We constantly tell them that if you've got three eyewitnesses who saw someone commit a crime, the fact that there are no fingerprints is not significant," Burrell said.
Burrell said the effect such TV shows have on cases could vary.
"It could go either way. If there is scientific evidence favorable for the prosecution, the defense would have a hard time getting a jury to dismiss it," Burrell said.
Criminal defense attorney Paula Bassham said she believes juries expect DNA and rely heavily upon it in reaching verdicts.
"You can't get a rape conviction without it," said Bassham. "They see 'CSI' and other similar shows on TV, and a lot of people think this is real. In some murder investigations, they probably do all those things you see on 'CSI,' but here in Decatur they can't do all that because they don't have the money."
If "CSI" influences how some viewers think about real-world forensics, some viewers still view the show critically.
"I think bigger cities have more funding and more opportunity to do more in-depth research in cases," said Peggy Lynch of Moulton.
Lynch said she feels that the forensic work done on the show is feasible.
"If they have a proper lab and tools to work with, I believe it could be done. Just like any job, if you don't have proper tools to work, you can only do so much," Lynch said.
"I still have to realize it is television, and yes, those things could be possible to a certain extent."
Back at the Huntsville lab, Morrison describes the testing done there.
He explained that the lab uses two databases. One system holds DNA information about known criminal offenders.
"Every offender convicted in the state for felonies and some misdemeanors involving sexual offenses submits DNA samples, which we collect and store in this database," said Morrison. "It's helpful in homicides and burglaries as well as other cases."
Another database is a national integrated ballistic system for testing firearms.
The system is capable of linking bullets or cartridges to a weapon used in a crime, Morrison said.
Morrison said he enjoys "CSI," and the show has created public interest in forensics.
" 'CSI' is obviously good for entertainment," Morrison said. "It's good for forensic science because people are more aware now. Although we can't perform at the level you see on TV, the people in turn can make it known to the Legislature that they want that kind of work done."
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/050605/lab.shtml |
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Taphophilia?
taphophilia (taf′ō-fil′ē-ă)
ORIGIN:
From the Greek words taphos, meaning "tomb" or "sepulcher" and philia, meaning "attraction or affinity to something, in particular the love or obsession with something"
DEFINITION: 1. An excessive interest in graves and cemeteries. 2. A love or fondness for funerals, graves, and cemeteries. 3. In psychiatry, a morbid attraction to graves and cemeteries
Quote Repository
“Fear no more the heat o' the sun Nor the furious winters' rages; Thou thy worldly task hast done, Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages The sceptre, learning, physic, must All follow this and come to dust.” William Shakespeare - Cymbelin
Shirtless and Sculpted
The Men of Mortuaries 2008 Calendar is now available! All sale proceeds benefit KAMMCARES, a breast cancer foundation.
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