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Safety at the Crime Scene

NCJ Number
173046
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 24 Issue: 8 Dated: August 1997 Pages: 25-28
Author(s)
P R Laska
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes educational programs, equipment, and advanced techniques to aid investigators and officers at dangerous crime scenes.
Abstract
A combination of factors has made the crime scene investigator more aware of the hazards of the job, and of safer methods of doing it: (1) emergence of diseases that may affect the investigator, often chronically, e.g., AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis; (2) massive bombings, resulting in tons of debris waiting to bury and crush anyone entering the crime scene; and (3) drug labs that are veritable hazmat scenes. A safety program must deal with several factors, including establishing appropriate policies and procedures; incorporating procedures that have been successful for other organizations; designing and instituting training programs and making use of training through law enforcement and forensic professional organizations. Once a safety program is implemented, it should be reviewed to ensure that it is answering the needs of the organization and is complying with Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules and with Workers Right to Know legislation.