| | |
|
ANNUAL REPORT
|
Crime
Laboratory Director’s Report 2001 Bill
Dean The
year 2001 was a tragic year not only for the country as a whole, but
specifically for public service agencies.
The terrorist attacks were not so much acts of war as horrendous
war crimes. As part of the
fabric of civilization involved with criminal investigations, the staff of
the forensic laboratory felt great empathy for their colleagues on the
scene. Although our own
facility was not directly involved, we can derive some satisfaction from
knowing that the scientific procedures we use every day will help identify
victims, help unravel the events leading up to the attack, and may
eventually apprehend additional suspects before they add to the tragedy.
The collective actions of the forensic community develop, validate,
and improve the methods that will eventually secure American public life.
The Feb. 25, 2002 issue of TIME magazine stated the situation quite
succinctly: “ …many of the world’s most dangerous terrorists are not
in the Islamic world at all but in the cities of western Europe.
They will be brought to justice not by U.S. special forces or B-52
pilots but by skillful forensic work and international cooperation among
criminal-justice professionals.”
The citizens of Hamilton County should be heartened by the fact
that they are served by a laboratory that maintains technologically
advanced hardware, well trained analysts, and an international perspective
that is as effective as any in the United States.
During 2001, the laboratory completed a multi-year program to
upgrade all the analytical instrumentation in the laboratory.
The Arson Section installed a new gas chromatograph- mass
spectrometer specifically for fire debris analysis.
The Trace Evidence Section received a new energy dispersive x-ray
spectrometer to upgrade the gunshot residue program, and put into
operation several new microscopes with digital imaging capabilities.
The Questioned Document Section implemented the VSC2000HR Video
Spectral Comparator which is one of only three high resolution models in
the U.S. The firearms
examiners are now using two new comparison microscopes. We were also
fortunate in finding well-qualified replacements for those who left to
further their careers elsewhere. Unlike the forensic scientists portrayed
on current television shows, our staff members have distinguished
themselves by a single-minded focus on processing physical evidence.
Over 11 thousand cases came through the laboratory in 2001.
This caseload required an effective application of scientific
knowledge, ethical interpretation of results, and clear communication of
the findings to the court. These
are the same skills that will prove critical to Hamilton County
investigations directed towards thwarting the intentions of terrorists.
|