Forensic Investigation

SOCOs in training

Most people have seen a Forensic Investigator (FI) at work on the television. Possibly not at a real crime scene, but in television drama such as 'A Touch of Frost' or 'The Bill'.

We know the media image of a busy scene with a murder victim, lots of FIs in white suits, blue flashing lights and instant information about the victim, cause and time of death and even the name of the murderer.

Everybody goes home by the end of the programme - another crime solved!

The reality is somewhat different. Forensic Investigators are often left at a major crime scene for days or even weeks after the initial incident, carefully trying to extract the smallest detail left by an offender or the evidence that may prove a sequence of events.

There are rarely instant answers and the trail to the suspect is often a team effort with FIs providing scientific evidence to initiate, confirm or even disprove information that may be collected by our colleagues in CID or uniform.

Behind the scenes, for weeks after a crime, FIs may be examining associated articles such as a murder weapon, the clothing of a victim or a suspect and their vehicle. Thankfully, there are times when Forensic Services staff find the vital evidence, perhaps a single fingerprint that may solve the case but even so the other work has to continue. Life is rarely as easy as it is on the TV!

Throughout any major investigation, other FIs will be left attempting to keep up with what keeps us busy everyday. Even during murders, volume crime, the burgled houses, businesses and stolen cars continue. We all know that criminals rarely take a day off, even when we have a bit too much on!

The television image of crime scenes means we receive many applications for posts as a FIs. A science-based background, a naturally systematic and inquisitive mind prove helpful as well as qualifications but there are few prerequisites.

Many people consider the role purely from a technical point of view but there is a need to deal with a wide-ranging public and an ability to work alone or as part of a team. The department consists of people from a wide background including sales, engineers, laboratories, the forces and other areas of police work.

FIs start in Leicestershire begin their careers as 'Volume Crime Scene Investigators' and spend three years training and completing a University Diploma. Most of the training is real operational work with FI colleagues. It also includes two residential courses at the national training centre.

At the national training centre, FIs spend time learning fingerprint, photographic and forensic science skills with new colleagues from all over the country.

Following this initial course, they return to Leicestershire to continue training with their own area team and other Forensic Investigation departments to maximise their skills before going alone. The training programme includes visits to other police department including Call Handling and the CID helping overview of the police service.