Objective: Demonstrate a working knowledge of how the crime laboratory operates on a general level such as required accreditation, handling of evidence, and the effectiveness of a particular crime lab.

The evidence collected by the criminal investigator is only as effective as the crime lab used to process it if you are dealing with scientific determinations such as fingerprints, DNA, ballistics, and other scientifically needed measurements.  You must ensure the crime lab is properly certified to handle the type of evidence you need analyzed, that the technicians are properly trained, and that it operates under a stringent code of ethics.  The analysis of DNA is often one of the most vital pieces of information in a criminal investigation and thus the criminal investigator should understand at least the basic idea of DNA analysis.  Criminal investigators should appreciate and have basic understanding of laboratory procedures and how their particular crime lab operates so they know what questions to ask and how the lab wants the evidence submitted.

• In an 3 page essay answer Internet Question 1 at the end of the chapter.