Professionals in the Criminal Justice System • Identify and illustrate roles, functions, and responsibilities of professionals in the criminal justice system. Professionals in the criminal justice system Crime Scene Investigators Criminalists Attorneys/Lawyers Medical Examiners Coroner Police Officer Crime Scene Investigators Collects, preserves and processes evidence at the scene of a crime. Isolates and secures the crime scene. Restricts nonessential personnel. Preserves, collects and records impressions such as footprints, tire marks, bite marks, fingerprints. Collects DNA evidence (blood, semen, hair, skin, nails, etc.) Collects trace evidence (gunshot residue, fibers, accelerants, paint, glass) Ensures evidence is properly handled, packaged and transported. Criminalists Examines physical evidence to create links between scenes, victims and suspects. Fingerprints, hair, fibers, blood, bullets. Lab based. Expert testimony in court. Answers questions about crime scene using physical evidence. Who, what, where, when and how Medical Examiners Examine bodies post mortem to determine cause of death. Study human organs, tissue, bodily fluids and/or cells. Issues death certificates. Identifying non identified dead Counsel families regarding cause of death. Serve subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses at any inquest to be held by such medical examiner Coroner Elected official by county. No medical background needed, if autopsy is required coroner works with pathologists. Identifies body. Signs death certificate. Notifies family of deceased. Police Officer Responds to emergency calls. Arrests and processes criminals. Testifies in court. Self initiate traffic and criminal investigations. Commands emergency personnel at scenes. Prepares written reports and field notes of investigation. Attorneys/Lawyers Research case evidence (police reports, accident reports, evidence findings) Works with client to develop case strategies. Collects documents in favor of client. Advises client with explanations of case and legal issues. Defense Attorneys: work for individuals (private or as public defender) to represent and defend accused. Prosecutor: works with government to file a lawsuit against an individual or group accused of breaking the law. Ethics Summarize the ethical standards required of a forensic science professional Standards Be professionally competent through training, certification, continuous learning and research. Avoid tampering, losing or mishandling of evidence. Avoid conflict of interest cases. Stay within scope of expertise. Present accurate information on notes, reports and testimonies. Report through appropriate channels to maintain confidentiality. Preserve human rights. Activity Team Work Split up into groups at lab tables: 3 groups of 4 students 2 groups of 5 groups On the top portion of your handout come up with a crime incident with your team. If you need more space use the lines provided for notes and write down the incident on a separate sheet of paper. Each crime incident should be as detailed as positive. On the second half of your handout you will work independent writing down what you did as a professional for this case and how you maintained ethic standards. Kahoot Quiz https://create.kahoot.it/share/criminal-justiceprofessions/44a68617-35c4-4e41-82df-f8e50c52694b www.kahoot.it or use Kahoot! App 597263 Challenge Use your notes to solve the crossword puzzle.
