NCJ Number
83035
Date Published
1970
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This 1970 paper focuses on research and development needs in criminalistics, with special attention to educational needs, technological procedures, data systems and systems development, and the criminalistics institute concept.
Abstract
The most pronounced factor constraining the development of criminalistics has been the low level of management and education associated with the field. The practice of relegating criminalists to a subservient technician-type role prohibits both scientific and professional development. Criminalistics encompasses drinking driver enforcement, physical evidence work of the police and sheriff detective bureaus, physical evidence work of the coroner, fire investigation, traffic accident investigation, and consulting liaison on science-law matters. A core curriculum in criminalistics is proposed to aid in upgrading the profession and to enhance knowledge of the field. The entire program would take 7 years. Developments in technological procedures in criminalistics research are noted, including instruments such as the mass spectrometer and methods such as neutron activation analysis. Research on data systems is mentioned, including improvements in fingerprint classification, storage and retrieval, and firearms classification. Types of studies of laboratory management and organization needed to enhance criminalistics are outlined. The paper suggests that a central criminalistics institute be created to carry on the technical research required to introduce more modern methods into criminalistics, to train future criminalists, to interact with existing laboratories, and to aid law enforcement agencies. Notes, figures, and six references are provided.