Crime Scene Investigators In Georgia Continue To Go High Tech

Friday July 10, 2009 - As technology changes the way crimes are committed in America, those working in crime scene investigation are finding they have to adapt and expand their methods to close cases. Even in small-towns like Conyers, Ga., a crime scene investigator now uses an array of high-tech tools to help catch the bad guys.

Crime scene investigator professionals in Conyers, in fact, are now arming themselves with “ruggedized” laptop computers to help them in the field. The recipient of a federal stimulus package, this city of just more than 10,000 residents relies heavily on technology to close its cases. The city’s small police department arms its crime scene investigator professionals with a variety of tools that go well beyond what might have been used in the field even a few short decades ago. From high-tech surveillance devices to computers and beyond, tracking evidence today often goes well beyond fingerprints and blood samples.

To work as a crime scene investigator today, law enforcement professionals are leaning more heavily on technology for several very good reasons. Most importantly, criminals are also relying on technology. With more crimes taking place over the Internet and through the use of computers, crime scene investigators simply have to be trained in how to track computer-based crime. Secondly, proper evidence collections, such as material collected at a crime scene cleanup, helps close cases and catch the bad guys. When highly trained crime scene investigator professionals are on a case, clues are not as likely to be left on the table, so to say.

The value of a crime scene investigator has gone up in recent years, as well. More and more departments throughout Georgia are putting an emphasis on having trained crime scene investigators handle evidence and clue-finding. At the Athens-Clarke Police Department in Georgia, for example, the Crime Scene Unit has increased its staff in recent years and now processes some 30,000 pieces of evidence annually. Contrary to what is shown on television, a crime scene investigator may not work exclusively on large cases either. In Athens-Clarke, crime scene investigators also work on smaller cases to ensure that no stone is left unturned in apprehending criminals and providing closure to family members.

As the face of crime changes thanks to technological advances, law enforcement is adapting, as well. The life of a crime scene investigator now revolves heavily around high-tech devices.

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