CSI: The Real World: Volume 1

Not every crime scene is a homicide… There are things to learn and humor to be found in a great many aspects of police and crime scene work. In short, life on the streets is oftentimes interesting and sometimes downright comical. This series is a compilation of stories gleaned from my years of serving and protecting the citizens of a moderate sized, mid-western city. The basic facts are true, although the names of those involved have been changed, not necessarily to protect any innocence, but rather to hopefully reduce any liability on my part. Unlike television, not every case is over in 52 minutes and not every crime is solvable. Not all evidence is perfect. The evidence is also not always as exciting, as shocking, or as damning as the evidence shown on television. Yes, I have seen fingerprints removed from feathers, DNA extracted from lip balm, and fracture evidence matched back to specific items which have sealed a conviction for those accused of wrongdoing. However, more prevalent are the number of cases which had little or no evidence, or which had little if any follow-up investigation due to there simply not being enough resources (time, money, personnel) to allocate to determining what really happened and who was to blame. While television may show what the forensic potential of evidence may be, and how cutting edge technology is assisting in the fight against crime, not every (in fact, few if any) departments, agencies, or labs have access to the types of technology which is often featured in evening forensic dramas. More oftentimes than not, cases are still solved through rudimentary investigative techniques, gut feelings, and basic evidence collection. While not always as sexy and plot twisting as on television, real life can prove to be quite interesting and somewhat entertaining. Welcome to crime scene investigation in the real world. Buckle up, because it’s anything but like television…