Firefighters experience crime scene training

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stephen Delgado
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Most people have seen at least a few episodes of the CSI television shows. Complicated crimes are solved in less than an hour. 

However, that isn't how it works in the real world, according to Julie Lecea, Air Force Office of Special Investigations special agent in charge. She conducted a first responder crime scene course Sept. 11 and 12 at the Luke fire station, with assistance from several other AFOSI special agents. 

The course's goals were to emphasize the teamwork involved in a successful investigation, and how important good communication is between various agencies, according to Agent Lecea. 

"It is vital to ensure that each entity, such as security forces, fire department personnel and the office of special investigations personnel understand each other's role," Agent Lecea said. "Good communication is vital in making this a reality because each entity has a different role." 

On many occasions, fire department medical personnel are the first people to arrive at a crime scene. 

"It is often that medical personnel respond to a call that someone appears to be unconscious or injured and not realize the person may be a victim of a crime," Agent Lecea said. "Crime scenes contain a lot of evidence, and it is important not to disturb it."
Medical personnel are trained to determine if a crime has been committed to call security forces and secure the scene. It's emphasized not to use the telephone or bathroom and to touch as little as possible. 

"Everything should be left as it was found," Agent Lecea said. "Once it has been determined that a crime has been committed, important evidence could be in the area, and it shouldn't be interfered with." 

What's more, it is vital to be observant of the entire area when arriving on scene.
"A crime scene has forensic and physical evidence," Agent Lecea said. "Forensic sciences cover anthropology, entomology, toxicology, serology and psychology. The use of science has had a profound effect solving crimes in recent years. An example would be a responder arriving at a scene and noticing a lot of flies or smelling a pungent odor, thus concluding that there is a high probability that the victim is dead. The flies can help the investigators figure out the time of death." 

Physical evidence includes items such as guns, knives and a certain kind of personal items such as clothing, shoes or sunglasses. It can also include hair and fingerprints, according to Agent Lecea. 

"When arriving at a scene, if the responder notices that rigor mortis, which is a stiffening of the body that usually starts 30 minutes after death or livor mortis, which is a pooling of blood has started, the responder can conclude the person is dead and wait for security forces and OSI personnel to arrive," she said. "However, it is important to observe the entire area and to secure it until the other agencies arrive." 

The course included two scenarios. One was a gunshot wound, which was an inside crime scene, and the other was a stabbing in an automobile. In both scenes the medical personnel were the first to arrive. 

"We wanted to see how they would respond to the scene," Agent Lecea said. "They incorporated the principles from the course." 

A vital point in solving a crime is testimony of witnesses. 

"Often a medical or security forces person will have to testify at a hearing or trial," Agent Lecea said. "That is why we emphasize how important it is for responders to make mental notes of the scene and to be observant of signs of a struggle, wounds, trauma, victim location and drugs and alcohol. Even with the best science and technology, many cases still hinge on witnesses' testimony of what they saw at the scene."