Case studies: Forensic investigator: Louise Walker

Louise gives an insight into her work in crime scene investigation...

I received a BSc in Forensic Science from Staffordshire University in 2009. During my course, while on an eight-week placement at Staffordshire Police Headquarters (organised by my lecturer), I applied for a scenes-of-crime officer post. After filling out an application pack and completing a short aptitude test, I was successful at interview and now work as a forensic investigator.

I work shifts, so when I come on duty I look at the jobs waiting to be done on the force's computer system. I prioritise them - serious and major scenes at the top, burglaries next, then other crime types, such as theft or criminal damage. I am then ready to go out and start my scene examinations.

I drive a marked-up van and am responsible for the south east of Staffordshire. My kit includes a digital camera, DNA and fingerprint kits. I also have kits for footwear and tool marks and other evidence types. I have a personal issue police radio, and the control room is constantly updated with my whereabouts.

I attend each scene and examine it as thoroughly and appropriately as possible. Sometimes this can be difficult, due to weather conditions or if no one is at home.

I gain as much information as possible by speaking to police officers in attendance, CID, officers from other agencies, such as Fire and Rescue, or the victims themselves. Most of the time, I carry out my jobs alone, and they are mostly volume (non-serious or major) scenes.

I recover evidence types at the scenes, including fingerprints, DNA, items of property, etc., and take full, contemporaneous notes throughout.

Once I have completed all the jobs, I return to my office, where I transfer the notes onto the computer and list my exhibits, before updating the main computer that the job is complete.

I then deal with all the evidence I have recovered that day - uploading any photographs, freezing DNA, or posting my fingerprint lifts to the bureau.

There are other tasks such as statement writing, updating investigating officers, and sorting out returned exhibits. We have also recently taken on extracting information from mobile phones, which is usually done once all other jobs are complete. I can then book off duty and do the same again the next day.

My degree has given me the basic tools needed for crime scene investigation, including information gathering, scene attendance, skills in evidence collection, such as fingerprinting, swabbing and general packaging, continuity and integrity, note taking, briefing, photography, and sketching.

Beyond this, I have taken knowledge about fire scenes, firearms and explosives forward and utilise this for specific scene examination and when offering advice to investigating officers. I also have an appreciation as to what happens to my recovered exhibits, which has helped my evidence recovery methods and general practice.

A major plus is the confidence the degree course has given me in both my academic and practical skills, when working with members of staff and the public - forcing me to communicate with all walks of life, which is priceless in my job.

I love the variability of my job. I have no idea what I'm walking into everyday, and that's exciting. The gratitude we receive from members of the public is both surprising and overwhelming at times. I never see members of the public for a good thing, always something bad. But when I find a good footprint, or blood, and explain to the victim that we're going to identify the perpetrator because if it, it feels great.

I also love the excitement of a big job. It doesn't happen very often on my patch, but when we do get a murder, or something else very serious, your adrenalin starts pumping, and you just can't wait to get stuck in and start.

Another enjoyable part is the fact that I get out and about all the time; I'm not stuck behind a desk or in a lab. Being able to get out and talk to people is something I couldn't work without now. I also enjoy the collaborative aspect of working for the police, it's such a team effort and I feel so proud to be part of it.

It's very hard to see victims of crime as much as we do. I've never been one myself and I'm still quite young, and I think people have a hard time believing my sympathy sometimes. I always wish I could do more. On the other end of the scale, there are always people who believe we are like CSI off the telly and can solve all crime. It can be difficult explaining to them that this is not always the case.

The only other negative aspect is the current economic climate and countrywide staff cuts for the police. We have suffered redundancies in our department already and may be faced with more.

Forensics offers many opportunities, as there are so many specialities. If students want to get into the police, I think the best advice is to be patient. There will be vacancies in the future, but for the moment it would be better to get experience, perhaps in a lab working with the police, and trying further down the line.

Do try and get as much packed into that degree as you can; take on all the extras and speak with the lecturers as they are worth more than their weight in experience. That way, when the opportunity does arise, like it did for me, I had enough in my pocket to get me the job above hundreds of others.

AGCAS

Sourced by Jill Freeman, Staffordshire University

Date: 

July 2012

© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd | Disclaimer