CSI competency: An international perspective

In early 2009, Hazel Biggs was awarded a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship to undertake research into crime scene investigator (CSI) training and subsequent competency testing from an international perspective. Describing her seven-week fellowship, which entailed travelling to the US, Australia and New Zealand, she compares the training and development provided in these countries with that available in the UK.

My journey started in the US by visiting Washington DC, where I met with a representative from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to discuss the issue of funding that is currently provided for the forensic sector. At present, under the National Forensic Science Improvement Act, funding is provided to develop crime lab infrastructure and training of analysts. There is no allocation of funding specifically for training programmes for crime scene investigators. At the time of my visit, the Forensic Society was actively lobbying Capitol Hill for funding for training and development but at present this has not been achieved.

The NIJ funded the National Association of Science (NAS) report Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States, released in February 2009, that called for the creation of an independent forensic science committee and highlighted the lack of national standardisation of training and ongoing competency across jurisdictions.

The NIJ has developed and published a guide to crime scene investigation for law enforcement to standardise examination of crime scenes which has proved to be beneficial. However, the NAS report identified that “there remains great variability in crime scene investigation practices, along with persistent concerns that the lack of standards and proper training at the crime scene can contribute to the difficulties in drawing accurate conclusions once evidence is submitted to forensic laboratory methods”.

During my time in Washington DC, I visited the Crime Unit where crime scene investigators (CSIs) mirrored the concerns of the NAS report. Civilian CSIs can only enter the Crime Unit if they hold a degree level forensic qualification. Whereas there is no requirement for sworn police officers entering the unit to hold any forensic qualifications at all.

All staff attend a three-week induction training programme before commencing supervised operational duties for three to four months to ensure that they examine crime scenes in line with force protocols.

In respect of managing competency, CSIs must undertake in-house revalidation biannually, with the content varying dependant on operational priorities. For example, re-validation this year will include competency in the newly-purchased 360-degree imaging system.

As a forensic trainer, I was very interested in the content of the George Washington University four-year Masters programme in forensics.

This programme includes modules in practical crime scene investigation and gives provision for students to take part in work experience with law enforcement agencies. A Memorandum of Understanding has been drawn up between the university and policing agencies to facilitate internships with agencies, including the FBI, DEA and District Crime Labs, medical examiners and police units. This allows students to benefit from operational experience to assist in their final choice of forensic discipline. Students also undertake research for the agencies in which they were placed with some individuals having the opportunity to review cold cases – often with success. This collaboration benefits all parties involved and is a valuable facet to the degree programme.

Students are also able to sit the International Association of Identification Certificate Level 1 written paper in Crime Scene Investigation, which is a validation requirement for some forces in the US. This is similar to the UK where Teesside University has partnered with the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) to offer CSIs a Foundation Degree in Crime Scene Investiga