NCJ Number
215074
Journal
Forensic Magazine Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: June/July 2006 Pages: 23-27
Date Published
June 2006
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article outlines the objectives and describes the content of the Albuquerque Police Department's (New Mexico) Citizen Academy course entitled, "Introduction to Albuquerque Police Crime Scene Investigation," which is a response to the public's increased interest in crime scene investigation (CSI) due to popular television crime shows that emphasize evidence collection and analysis.
Abstract
The main goals of the 30-hour course are to educate the public about the nature of forensic science and crime scene investigations in the real world compared to television drama, as well as provide the opportunity for persons who may be interested in CSI work or some other aspect of police work to tour facilities and meet personnel. The 10-week, 30-hour course is designed to give 25 students selected from applications the opportunity to hear classroom lectures by professionals in crime investigations and have exposure to the forensic disciplines. Instructors are forensic scientists and police officers who are major crime-scene-investigation specialists. Each class includes 1 hour of lecture and a minimum of 2 hours of practical interaction. Topics covered include photography, fingerprinting, DNA, blood spatter, firearms, chemistry/alcohol, computer forensics, crime scene investigation, and crime scene processing. Since the course started, there has been an increase in the quality and quantity of applicants for forensic scientists' positions. Two applicants came directly out of the first course.