NCJ Number
55995
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1979) Pages: 39-56
Date Published
1979
Length
18 pages
Annotation
THE DEPENDENCE OF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF IDENTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION EMPLOYED BY THE NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE DEPARTMENT'S SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION SECTION ON THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDS IS EVALUATED.
Abstract
SELECTION FOR THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION SECTION IS COMPETITIVE, AND APPLICANTS MUST HAVE ABOUT 3 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN GENERAL POLICE DUTIES. ONE OF THE MAJOR TASKS FACED BY SECTION PERSONNEL IS THE DOCUMENTATION OF ARRESTED SUSPECTS. THE SECTON IS DIVIDED INTO SIX SPECIALIST AREAS TO AID IN PERFORMING VARIOUS DUTIES (CRIME SCENE, BALLISTICS, DOCUMENT EXAMINATION, PHOTOGRAPHIC, PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND DRAFTING, AND CINEMATOGRAPHY). THE CRIME SCENE AREA REPRESENTS THE LARGEST AND BUSIEST UNIT. INVESTIGATIVE PERSONNEL ARE SENT TO THE SCENE OF A FELONY OR FATAL ACCIDENT TO EXAMINE AND RECORD ALL IMPORTANT INFORMATION. THEY WORK WITH THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIME DOCUMENTATION, AND USUALLY DETERMINE WHAT TO PHOTOGRAPH. THEIR EQUIPMENT INCLUDES A SINGLE-LENS REFLEX OUTFIT AND CHEMICAL AGENTS. THE PHOTOGRAPHIC UNIT BACKS UP THE CRIME-SCENE UNIT, USING SUCH EQUIPMENT AS A COMPARISON MICROSCOPE, ENLARGERS, AND COLOR ANALYZERS. BALLISTICS SPECIALIZES IN CASES INVOLVING FIREARMS. DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION WARRANTS A SPECIAL UNIT OF ITS OWN TO COMPARE PHOTOGRAPHS OF HANDWRITING AND TYPEWRITING. THE PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND DRAFTING UNIT PREPARES EXACT TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS OF A CRIME SCENE, FLOOR PLANS OF A BUILDING, AND NUMEROUS DIAGRAMS FOR COURT PRESENTATION. CINEMATOGRAPHY PRODUCES INSTRUCTIONAL FILMS. PHOTOGRAPHS ACCOMPANY THE ARTICLE. (DEP)