Maximizing Crime Laboratory Results
Thomas E. Lodge · 2015
Most crime laboratories are not looking for something to do-they have plenty of work and are typically dealing with backlogs of work. us, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” In a perfect world the forensic scientist, upon reviewing a case submission and the request for analysis, recognizes that there are additional tests that could be carried out but were not asked for. e analyst then contacts the lead investigator in the case and suggests the additional testing. Actually, that can and does happen, but it is typically something that is more common to a smaller agency with an in-house laboratory. A large state or federal laboratory seldom has the ability to carry out that sort of direct communication.