As a student, you may have an occasional free minute to sit down and watch the infamous “CSI” television series. This show portrays Crime Scene Investigators as nicely dressed, perfectly-styled professionals who find imperative clues at first glance. When viewing this type of show, you have to remember that that is television drama, performed by Hollywood actors.
Well, what then is a CSI? A crime scene investigator plays many roles when solving a single crime. Many hours are dedicated to retrieving, recording, and testing forensic ballistics in all aspects of the crime. For instance, DNA takes at least a week to go through processing and data
recording. On the state level, cases are backed up to a year; this is due to the number of cases and the holds placed on those cases because more pertinent cases come through the system.
Specialists deal with certain aspects of a crime. One person is specially trained in the finger-print analysis unit, while another is specialized in guns. The task of a gun specialist is to compare and identify bullets from the crime scene to potentially match those bullets with a specific type of firearm. They use water chambers and cotton-lined ranges, as well as an indoor and outdoor firing range. They compare bullets left at the scene and firing pin impressions left on the shell casings with the marks on test-fired rounds in the crime lab. If the marks on the test bullet match, the weapon has been identified. This is based on the principle that no two guns leave the same marks on the ammunition. The bullet striations and firing pin impressions are as unique as our fingerprints! The specialist can also determine range, impact and type of bullet wounds, as well as calculate the distance of the shooter from the powder stain patterns on the target. Each specialist does his or her part, and then sends the information to the investigator in charge, after which he or she receives the next order of business. The specialists are never involved in the specific details of the cases.
So the next time you find yourself watching the infamous CSI series, just remember that cases are not solved so quickly or easily.
About Us
- CALS Ambassadors
- We are Outreach Advisor Ambassadors who are specially trained to work with prospective students and represent the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. We assist with recruiting events and school outreach including college and career fairs and our Spend-a-Day-at-State program. We also participate in commodity field days, trade and farm shows, alumni board meetings, Dean's tours, and legislative events. Be sure to read all of our blog pages! Do you have a question or want more information about CALS or NCSU? PLEASE email us at cals_ambassadors@ncsu.edu as we would love to hear from you!