Job Function Inquiry

[scurtis]

Are any of the readers to this forum in a Forensic Identification Unit, or know of one, servicing a population in excess of 100,000 citizens where vocational expectations of members include marihuana analysis or similar in addition to all facets of latent print processing and identification.

[Cindy Rennie]

In Toronto any kind of chemical analysis or testing is done at the Centre of Forensic Sciences.

Any chemical treatments done by members of the Toronto Police Forensic Identification Services Unit are to aid in the development of latent impressions.

[Norberto Rivera]

scurtis,

We are a very small crime scene unit (2 investigators) serving a resident population of about 25000 and a daytime business population of about 100,000. In addition to crime scene response and latent print work we are also responsible for marijuana testing. We average roughly 300 cases per year. The testing protocol in Georgia is three-pronged as I'm sure it is in most places. Our testing protocol involves microscopy, Duquenois-Levine reagent and KN reagent testing. I understand some agencies like to mix their own reagents, but we use the reagent pouches to keep it simple. Each case takes about 15-20 minutes to complete including documentation, but we don't test midemeanor cases until the court requests it. Felony and juvenile cases are tested as soon as they are received. Considering our other duties the turnaround on a marijuana case is a week at most. I'll be happy to answer any other questions if you like.

[Heidi Fraser]

I used to do this at my previous agency. It was a sort of a pilot program, having the same person be responsible for both parts of the case (i.e. drugs and latents).

Contact me if you have quesitons.