Questioned Documents | Crime Scene Tips
Through visual examination or advanced chemical analysis of inks and paper, forensic investigators can determine information relating to a questioned document's authentication, authorship or creation date.
Processing a Fire or Arson Scene | Crime Scene Tips
The investigator should control access to a fire scene after fire suppression and see that evidence is collected, stored, and transported so that it will not be contaminated. Follow this walkthrough to properly process the scene.
5 Ways to Speed Through Bureaucracy at Work | Management Tips
We all have been through it at work. Some process or change you are driving requires a sign-off from what seems like every manager in your company.
Make Safety Training Interesting | Safety Tips
Continue reading to learn how to develop training that will keep your attendees interested and focused. These seven guidelines will walk you through the entire process from development to delivery then loop back through evaluating and improving your training programs.
Control Contamination | Crime Scene Tips
The investigators in charge of a crime scene should create an investigation team and process the scene carefully and methodically to protect the evidence. Follow these steps to control contamination and cross-contamination and to ensure scene safety and evidence integrity.
The Boss Who Gives Lots of Praise | Management Tips
Boss A is reserved, rarely gives praise, and will tell you in words of one syllable if there is a problem with your performance. Boss B is friendly, and has comfortable expectations. For whom would you rather work?
Take the Lead on Safety | Safety Tips
Those in your lab may be your colleagues or may be people assigned to you to produce results and for whom you have responsibility. If you are the lab manager, you are the mentor and they will follow your lead and the tone you set for conduct in the lab. These simple steps will encourage safety in your laboratory staff.
8 Common Misconceptions Plague Bone and Tool Mark Trauma Analysis | Crime Scene Tips
Saw mark research is focused on collecting data on variation found in microscopic features of cut bone. The narrowing of the field of possible tools that could have potentially been used in a crime makes saw mark characteristics a valuable tool for the forensic examiner. Unfortunately, a standard methodology for saw mark analysis is lacking, and the field is hindered by numerous misconceptions.
Stop Working on Urgent Problems | Management Tips
Take a look at how you currently divide your time. Do you get the little, unimportant things completed first because they are easy and their completion makes you feel good?
Don't Become Complacent About Safety | Safety Tips
It’s human nature to become complacent and relaxed in a familiar and comfortable setting. Take a walk through your lab, looking with unprejudiced honesty at all you see. Reevaluate the safety equipment and procedures in your lab and make sure you are not becoming complacent about safety.
Multitasking Doesn't Work | Management Tips
Multitasking was once heralded as the best way to accomplish more in a day. Then people started realizing that speed and accuracy (and sanity) suffered. Try a new strategy known as “chunking.”
How to Read a Chemical's MSDS | Safety Tips
The safe handling of chemicals requires an understanding of their properties, hazards, and measures for handling emergencies involving them. This information can be found on the compound's MSDS.
Stress Awareness | Management Tips
While each person is different, there are some issues that almost universally affect people. These are the stressors you most want to understand and take measures to prevent.
Balance Energy Efficiency with Safety | Safety Tips
Before considering money saving solutions for energy efficiency, the laboratory must first be designed for the safety of its occupants. Fume hoods are the major line of defense in the utilization of chemical hazards in a toxicology laboratory. By definition, fume hoods are not energy efficient, but their inefficiency serves the purpose of safety.
Getting Your Point Across | Management Tips
When we're trying to get a point across to someone else we often think long and hard about what we want to say. That is the wrong way to go about it. Instead of focusing on what you want to say to get your point across, you should focus on what you want the other person to hear.
Beware of UV Exposure IN the Lab | Safety Tips
In addition to sunlight, UV light sources are found in the lab and shop. Sources include some biosafety cabinets, certain types of hand-held light sources, transilluminators, crosslinkers, and some laboratory instruments such as spectrophotometers.
Lead the Team: How to be the Person Others Follow | Management Tips
Leaders are hard to find. They exhibit a unique blend of charisma, vision, and character traits that attract people to follow them. To follow, people must feel confidence in the direction in which the leader is headed.
Inventory Your Chemicals | Safety Tips
Prudent management of any laboratory using dangerous substances begins with a chemical inventory. Establish written procedures for acquiring chemicals and developing the inventory and ensure that laboratory employees understand and adhere to them.
Preventing Predictable Decision Making Errors | Management Tips
Predictable errors are preventable errors. And a few simple techniques, like those below, can help you steer clear of the most common wrong turns.
Prevent Injuries Through Job Hazard Analysis | Safety Tips
One of the cornerstones of a successful safety and health program is the inclusion of a process called job hazard analysis. These are fancy terms for figuring out the potential risks associated with a particular job and devising ways to control or eliminate them before an injury or accident occurs.
Executing a Warrant for Digital Evidence | Crime Scene Tips
Pertaining to the seizure of digital devices, there is some misunderstanding concerning what “executing the warrant within ten days” actually means. Often, investigators will detail what types of computer files they are going to be looking for so as not to run afoul of the Fourth Amendment.
21 Management Lessons from Successful Politicians | Management Tips
What can managers learn from elected officials? Well, there are a few straight-forward and time-tested techniques that work in politics and that can be used in a business setting. Just like a good campaign slogan, these 21 lessons are seemingly simple but convey a big message.
Emergency Plans Should Be Function-Based Not Incident-Based | Safety Tips
Power loss, for example, may be a result of many potential incidents (a windstorm, downed tree, ice storm, or even a car hitting a power pole). Regardless of the cause, there are actions that must take place to ensure the protection of employees and the samples, records, and operations contained within the facility.
The 10 Essentials of Delegating | Management Tips
You will not be an effective manager unless you learn how to delegate. The question, "Should I be handling this?" must be asked frequently if you are to develop your associates, build a strong team, and avoid being swamped.
Proper Ventilation is Essential to Safe Formaldehyde Use | Safety Tips
Formaldehyde is ubiquitous, yet essential to successful forensic pathology. It is potentially hazardous and if used carelessly can produce serious harm. But, with properly designed and adequately maintained ventilation systems safe use is possible.
