Kasey makes a very valid point in that the military are now embracing biometrics as a method to assist on the GWT arena. Whilst this is being embraced I am as yet uncertain as to the full commitment the military espouses about what biometrics can provide. Albeit is must be said that this is the first time a system has been set up “in theater.” However, I do use the term system, rather loosely.
As you may expect, with the in-theater operational restrictions that are placed on personnel, there will be no application for ASCLD/LAB accreditation any time soon. Laboratory facilities are somewhat limited in certain parts of theater and this I believe is because the embracing and understanding has yet to be grasped by the military personnel with the will and clout to address the main issues. Kasey also penned “This function as represented above includes the recognition, collection, packaging and transport, processing, capture and manual comparisons of known and unknown forensic impression evidence.” Over here we fall very short of what would be acceptable practices in the police investigative domain for the recognition, collection, packaging and processing. However this has to be juxtaposed against the environment we operate in and the level of training/experience of some military personnel have to adopt police investigative forensic principles. When you have been trained to blow up and destroy, it must be hard to now reverse their normal thought process, to retrieve and preserve. Would a bureau employ personnel to process evidence and let them loose on what would be considered multiple cases of serial homicides as their first ever hands on case. I doubt it, but unfortunately in-theater this is a reality.
Laboratory operations in one area have moved on from the original facility of a tarp draped over some 4” x 2” framing with no power and water located on the roof, to an indoor facility with an outside garden hose. Ah, you just can’t beat progress!! A replacement facility with a faucet and sink, signed up for last September, to be implemented last November, then nixed by the military (and agreed again – but greatly reduced), alas is still to arrive. But we press on and better facilities are to be employed in other military regions where forensic disciplines have received much greater acceptance. It begs the blatant obvious question of, “if it can be done in one region in theater, why not another?” Sorry, but I don’t have sufficient stars or braid to resolve that one, although the answer somewhat simple.
That said, with all the operational obstacles that oppose forensics, we do get results, but how many others may be eluding us? For the LPE, this environment will test your skills of endurance as differing types of evidence are encountered and have to be progressed, with limited equipment and where a large imagination is a requirement to overcome and adapt. Hell, we can offer vast quantities of sun and sand, but unfortunately no beach, sun shade, or Pimm’s No, 1 - for those that do not know Pimm’s go here - [http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/drink_feat_pimms.asp]. But with that imagination you bring, you can certainly dream and just remember military green duct tape solves all operational equipment problems, except a 7.62 from an AK47.
As they say, “if you can’t take a joke you should not have joined.”
If anyone wants to contribute to the effort, just let me know.