Cody Gonzalez
The Voir Dire examination is when the two parties, prosecution and defense, have their
lawyers select a jury pool. Normally about thirty six jurors are questioned for their qualifications
to sit on the panel and their feelings toward certain issues. Of these thirty six twelve will be
selected as well as a few back up in case something happens to one of the twelve. This selection
process can either help or hurt one side or the other depending on whom they select.
Field notes are an essential part of a crime scene investigators investigation. They need to
be accurate and precise. IN the field a CSI cannot solely rely on his or her memory and therefore
everything should be written down this lets you recall exact facts and write a trough report once
you get back to the lab. Notes must be taken in the field so a final report is full proof and will
stand up to questioning in the courtroom. The official report will come from your notes at the
crime scene and it must be a good report so that a prosecutor and police officials can understand
it. There are basic qualities to a good report the most important is that it is accurate it must
contain facts through physical evidence. A report also needs to be clear and concise this means
tell the story with as few words as possible. The report needs to be well written free of grammar
and spelling errors and above all else it must be factual you cannot assume anything in a crime
scene report.
Many times a crime scene investigator will be called in to court to testify to their work
and its legitimacy and they must be prepared for this. Start by reviewing all notes and reports on
the case that will be covered in the court room. Talk to the prosecutor beforehand to get a feel for
what will be asked and how you will respond. Have a resume ready to present listing education
and experience. Looks are also important especially to a jury make sure to look professional and
make sure your cell phone is off. A forensic technician will be asked to explain exhibits. These
help the jury better understand the case and help visualize it. They can be anything from pictures
Cody Gonzalez
to evidence to scale models of the crime scene and a technician must be able to explain them all
with accuracy and detail.
Cody Gonzalez
Works Cited
Gardner, J. (2012, September 18). Report Writing and Courtroom Testimony, Crime Scene
Investigation. Ordway Florida Southern College.
"The Voir Dire Examination." The Voir Dire Examination. County of Bers, n.d. Web. 23 Nov.
2012.
<http://www.co.berks.pa.us/Dept/Courts/Jury/Pages/Voir%20Dire%20Examination.asp
x>.
Young, Tina, and P. J. Ortmeier. Crime Scene Investigation: The Forensic Technician's Field
Manual. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2011. Print.