CSI—Crime Scene Investigators Using Hot Advances to Fight Crime—Three Unknown Technologies
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010
by Steve Kovacs
The Kovacs Perspective
During the last five years or so, some of the most popular television shows have been programs about crime scene investigations. The extremely popular show CSI Miami has spawned other crime investigative shows, which highlight scientific crime busting techniques. CSI stands for crime scene investigation and similarly, other terms like SID, which stands for scientific investigation division, have become commonplace.
There can be monotony in the work not to mention much blood and guts when investigating the whole gamut of crimes these investigators handle. One of the most exciting parts of these careers is utilizing new advances being developed to solve the puzzles of crime. Everyone knows crime can be devastating and scientists are continuously searching out, and finding new technologies to solve its mystery.
I've listed three technologies that most people are not aware exist and which are excellent tools to help solve crime:
Alternative Light Sources (ALS): The use of an alternative light source is effective in locating trace fibers. Any number of fibers may fluoresce under different wavelengths of light, aiding in their detection by a crime scene technician. There are numerous variations of ALS technology. There are different types of light-sources for different items being examined. To explain how effective these sources can be, you could look at a dead body looking for fibers and see absolutely nothing with the naked eye. However, with the correct ALS, a clothing fiber would glare out at you where you'd have to be blind to miss it! Look out criminals this can be an excellent tool in the fight against crime.
Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA): When examined with an ESDA, indented writings can be found on documents located multiple pages beneath the original writing. As an example, this can be great to locate seemingly invisible writings in a notebook where someone had written a ransom note, terrorist plot, or threat and then tore the page out leaving a seemingly blank notebook behind.
Electrostatic Dust Print Lifter Device (ESLD): Locating and recovering the obvious kinds of impression evidence like tire tracks and footprints is not a major problem. Not-so-apparent kinds of tire tracks and footprint impressions that ARE difficult to locate can not only be located but also lifted with these instruments (even off carpet).
When most criminals think they haven't left a trace behind, and seemingly, there is no trace to the naked eye, new scientific breakthroughs are continuously being developed to shed light on the darkness of crime.
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Very Informative and interesting article about crime forensics,never watched CSI myself,but its nice to know how the experts go about solving crime.Thanks for writing Annon--Yup, there are lots of smart people always trying to make things a little better--my best.Steve
I've watched CSI once or twice I think- my daughter likes to watch it, so when she's here, it's usually turned on. It seems true-to-life, but enhanced, of course.One of my best friends is a retired homicide detective- HPD. He sometimes relates a few of the more interesting cases to me, but says that usually it's long stretches of monotonous routine, interspersed with moments of high adrenalin rushes.Like all law-enforcement, it's their career, and they love it. Most of the ones who stay the course, were born to this work, and are very good at what they do. We should all be grateful to them, and thankful that they do this job, and do it well; it helps keep us safe. Your article was interesting, as usual. I enjoyed reading it. You're a good writer- please continue._-- Always-EllaThanks Ella--I sincerely appreciate your kind and also encouraging words. Sometimes this kinda stuff is BORING, but some people really love it and I agree with you that many are probably meant to do it,or something real similar. My best........Steve
Great article. Well done.TV commans huge power over people. When I was young I wathced the Bill and for a while I wanted to be a police man.Thanks Connor, you'll be a better Prime Minister!
Thanks Steve! Great info!Author Becky DueThanks Becky--appreciate the comment.Steve
Oh Great, now you tell me! I left footprints all over that carpet! (Enjoyed the article)
Best............eE--I actually got a belly laugh when I read your comment---apparently, you're not only deep but funny too--thanks for the comment.
Very good article and it contained really good info; thanks for adding this to our knowledge base Steve !Thank you kindly sir...I appreciate the read and your comment.
It does sound like you have a great job that you really enjoy. I am always amazed at how far technology has come. Thanks for sharing.I do enjoy it ...and just imagine what technology will discover in the next 50 years--it'll be amazing--thanks for writing.Steve
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