In order to take advantage of the latest advances in technology and science, a crime scene officer needn't acquire the same level of knowledge as the experts, but must have enough knowledge to recognize what the experts can accomplish with the right evidence.

The common denominator in any crime scene investigation is knowledge: you need to know both your own limits and the capabilities of the experts. Remember, your job is to build the strongest possible case. Once evidence is lost, you can’t go back and recreate it. And if you haven’t collected enough evidence or called in the right experts, you could end up with a case that won’t hold up in court.

Learn the capabilities of the following experts and the types of evidence you need to get their help:

• Fingerprint Expert
• DNA Expert
• Entomologist
• Forensic Pathologist
• Ballistics Expert
• Blood Spatter Expert
• Impression Evidence Expert

From: Knowledge: The Key To Crime Scene Investigation by Dick Warrington