Do Forensic Investigators in the Field Carry Guns? Their Roles and Responsibilities

Forensic investigators play a critical role in solving crimes, but their duties and environments can vary widely depending on their specific roles within various agencies. This article explores the tasks and responsibilities of forensic investigators, focusing on their involvement in fieldwork, interviews, and making arrests. We will also delve into the necessity of carrying firearms and the differences in roles based on agency policies and location.

Field Roles and Activities

In the field, forensic investigators may be involved in a variety of activities, but their primary responsibilities often revolve around crime scene investigations. The context of their work can greatly influence their roles.

For example, in Georgia, forensic investigators primarily worked in crime labs, where they processed certain scenes without the need to carry firearms. Similarly, in Colorado, forensic investigators in the field had a limited role, with some being called out for crime scenes but the majority working strictly in labs. In Wisconsin, the situation was different, with a mix of responders who went to crime scenes and those who stayed in the lab. Notably, the authors of this article did not typically interview suspects or make arrests, emphasizing that these activities were not routine parts of their job.

Roles and Responsibilities

The nature of forensic work also varies among different agencies and jurisdictions. While some agencies employ sworn officers who may engage in all aspects of criminal investigation, including responding to crime scenes and handling suspects, many forensic labs rely on civilian personnel. For instance, in the state where this study took place, the crime scene investigative personnel were sworn officers who worked outside the lab, handling criminal investigations and making arrests as necessary. In contrast, the labs themselves employed a mix of sworn and civilian personnel to process scenes and conduct various forensic examinations.

Lab Work and Evidence Handling

The majority of the author's work took place in labs, where forensic analysis and evidence processing were the primary tasks. The author mentioned that certain specialized services such as latent print analysis, narcotics testing, ballistics, and polygraph testing were crucial components of their work. Additionally, evidence technicians, who were regularly trained to collect and handle evidence, were also part of the team. These technicians were often regular patrol officers who performed their evidence duties and then returned to their patrol roles.

Carrying Firearms and Safety

When carrying firearms is required for fieldwork, it is often necessary to handle them with the utmost care and regulation. For instance, the author mentioned that when on duty, they would lock their gun in a desk drawer and take it home after work, reasoning that walking around the crime lab with a gun on their hip would be unsafe. The decision to carry a firearm to a crime scene was made case-by-case, with the firearm being taken only when necessary.

Conclusion

Forensic investigators have diverse roles and responsibilities, which can vary significantly depending on the agency and location. While some may carry firearms and respond to crime scenes, others work primarily in laboratories, conducting forensic analysis and processing evidence. This diversity underscores the importance of understanding the specific roles and environments in which forensic professionals operate.

Key takeaways include the differences in agency policies regarding sworn officers, the predominance of civilian personnel in labs, and the careful handling of firearms for fieldwork. Understanding these factors is essential for anyone involved in forensic investigations or seeking to understand the complexities of this field.