What is the role of a crime scene technician?

The role of a crime scene technician is primarily focused on collecting and documenting physical evidence from crime scenes. This encompasses a range of responsibilities, including securing the scene, identifying potential evidence, and carefully collecting items such as fingerprints, biological samples, and trace evidence. Proper documentation of the evidence is crucial, as it ensures that the chain of custody is maintained, which is essential for the integrity of any legal proceedings that follow. The work performed by crime scene technicians plays a vital part in the investigative process, providing foundational evidence that can help build a case for prosecution or defense in court.

The other roles mentioned, such as interrogating suspects, analyzing human remains, or preparing legal documents, are typically handled by different specialists. Interrogation is usually conducted by law enforcement officers or detectives. Analyzing human remains falls under the purview of forensic anthropologists or pathologists, while legal document preparation is typically a function of lawyers or legal advisors. Each professional within the forensic and criminal justice fields has distinct duties that contribute to the overall investigation and legal process.