Meet Regularly with Each Employee | Management Tips
Providing meaningful feedback to employees is absolutely essential to help them develop their potentials. Without good feedback, growth simply is not possible.
Extension Cords Are Not a Permanent Solution | Safety Tips
Extension cords should only be used when necessary and only for temporary use. If you have more than a few extension cords powering equipment in your lab, it is probably time to call an electrician to install additional strategically placed outlets or rearrange equipment.
The Scene Will Dictate What You Need From the Suspect | Crime Scene Tips
Our primary job as crime scene investigators is always the same: to tie a suspect to the scene. The way to accomplish this goal is to collect as much evidence as possible from the scene and the suspect.
Proper Note Taking is Essential in Documenting Bloodstain Patterns | Crime Scene Tips
The fundamental goal of documenting bloodstain patterns is to accurately depict the patterns as you found them. Your notes should contain a detailed description of the physical characteristics of the patterns including size, distribution, location, shape, and physical features.
Eight Traits of the Best Managers | Management Tips
All managers have many things in common: they all accept greater responsibility and accountability than non-management employees, they all exercise control over particular organization functions, and they all focus on getting things done through others.
Don't Use the Area Under the Safety Shower for Storage | Safety Tips
The open area under the safety shower is often choice space for putting boxes or storing a cart. Resist the temptation and keep access to it free and clear of obstacles. One day you may need to find it quickly and with your eyes closed.
Use Photography to Create an Accurate Record | Crime Scene Tips
When photographing a scene, keep in mind that you are trying to provide a permanent record of the scene and the evidence collected. This record will assist anyone who is not at the scene—from detectives and prosecutors to members of the jury, if the case goes to trial.
Six Ways to Use Positive Reinforcement to Reward Employees | Management Tips
Positive reinforcement both shapes behavior and enhances an employee’s self-image. Effective reinforcers can be grouped into six major categories.
Provide Safety Equipment in Each Lab | Safety Tips
Not only should fire extinguishers, safety showers, eye wash fountains, first aid kits, fire blankets, and fume hoods be provided but they should be tested or checked monthly.
Ask Broad, Open-Ended Questions When Interviewing | Management Tips
When trying to find out how a candidate thinks, it’s always best to start by asking very broad, open-ended questions.
Find the Right Mobile Crime Scene Vehicle | Crime Scene Tips
Finding the right mobile crime scene vehicle for your agency is a complicated task. It involves looking carefully at your cases, your expertise, and your budget. Once you figure out the right way to balance the need for storage space and the need for work space, then you can decide what vehicle or combination of vehicles will help you get the job done.
Routinely Check Hoods for Adequate Flow and Velocity | Safety Tips
One problem with all hoods, but definitely more so with chemical hoods than others in our experience, is that as a cabinet space in a lab they tend to accumulate stuff and are frequently used for storage.
Prepare for the Interview | Management Tips
Make sure you have an interruption-free, private space where you and the candidate can talk comfortably.
Forensic Archeology Helps Dig Up Evidence | Crime Scene Tips
Forensic archeological investigations are integral to a diverse array of situational contexts, but the singular objective these various operations accomplish is one of recovery and resolution—recovery of the physical evidence and eventual resolution of the legal issues.
Never Use a Household-Type Refrigerator to Store Flammable Liquids | Safety Tips
Never use a household-type refrigerator to store flammable liquids (ethers, alcohols, etc). In the event of a container spill or leak an explosive concentration can quickly develop with ignition occuring when the unit cycles. Every year or two there is a new story of a university lab destroyed as a result of a refrigerator fire.
Use a Standard Application When Hiring | Management Tips
Make sure that every job applicant completes one of your standard applications – even if they have already sent you a full, lengthy resume.
Develop a System for Marking Evidence | Crime Scene Tips
No matter the type of scene, you must carefully mark and record every piece of evidence you find. This may seem pretty straightforward, but it becomes more complicated when you have multiple crime scenes or incidents. Taking the time to develop a clear system that is easy to use will be well worth the effort.
Recognize the Hazards | Safety Tips
Understanding the required Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) programs and recognizing hazards will help you to identify and correct many of the common safety and health hazards associated with doing forensic analysis and research.
Five Steps for Dealing with Employee Complaints | Management Tips
When a complaint is made, the manager should follow these five steps.
3D Scanners Help Document a Crime Scene | Crime Scene Tips
The yellow tape can't stay up forever, and information can disappear long before a case is solved. A 3D overview map is a permanent recording of everything in the crime scene, and allows investigators to go back in time long after the yellow tape disappears.
Conduct Periodic, Unannounced Laboratory Inspections | Safety Tips
Quarterly inspections are an integral part of a good safety program. They are conducted to ensure that the working and learning environment is safe and healthy for all.
Properly Package DNA Evidence | Crime Scene Tips
Once you have identified DNA evidence, you need to properly collect it and package it. Remember that DNA can be easily contaminated or damaged.
Why You Should Be Open to Hearing Complaints | Management Tips
Accepted wisely, employees’ complaints can be useful tools a lab manager could use to improve and upgrade his work unit and keep his employees happy.
General Guidelines for Chemical Storage | Safety Tips
Safely storing chemicals in laboratories or stockrooms requires considering many health and safety factors. In particular, proper use of containers and common lab equipment is critical.
Creating a Crime Scene Checklist | Crime Scene Tips
In order to be worthwhile, the crime scene checklist needs to be comprehensive yet easy to use. It should cover everything from the time you’re called to the scene to the time the scene is released.
