CSI agents can find themselves in many dangerous and unsafe situations; training and good knowledge of the crime scene surroundings can make it easier to combat unsafe situations. Knowing how to us your tools, skill training, plus hazard safety workshops and publications will keep your CSI team sharp. Occupational safety is a priority reducing injury and illness due to exposure of hazardous materials and substances found on the crime scene. The three different types of Hazards include Bio-Hazard, Chemical Hazard and Physical Hazard. A hazard is the cause of unsafe environmental factors that could endanger the CSI agents while responding to a crime scene. Hazardous material is defined as any object that can possibly harm you or a team member.
Other Hazards include agricultural chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and fertilizers used. Chemical exposure such as cutting agents and propane at drug labs can have many different side effects on the CSI workers if they do not take the proper precautions. Critical incident management includes the 3 tier method for isolating the crime scene. First secure the outer parameter with police tape keeping onlookers, media, none essential personnel away from the crime scene, making sure that they stay to the perimeter of the crime scene. Second is the inner parameter which includes the command center, work area or hot spot, making sure that your CSI team knows the order of process to perform. Third make an action plan explaining what tools are needed, search for onsite suspects, whether or not you need decontaminative equipment and suits.
Be on your guard and prepared for any situation. Protect your head, eyes, lungs, hands, feet and sometimes your body when the hazard level calls for special protection. Search for suspects still on the crime scene use a flash light in dangerous situations carry your weapon at the ready use a flash light or weapon light to see at night, bring an extra person to cover you from behind. Once you know the crime scene is clear then take proper precautions and put on latex gloves if heavy object need to be moved use heavy gloves to move object, in the case of chemical or bio-logical hazard use proper suited gear, helmet and make sure to cover your shoes. In the case of Chemical call the proper authorities use chemical suit and or Hazardous waste barrel use gas mask when needed. Bio-Hazards use proper red BIO-Hazard bag to clean scene after collecting the necessary evidence.
References:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/487551/crime_scene_safety_how_csi_techs_deal.html
http://www.forensicmag.com/articles.asp?pid=265
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