One of the homicide detectives said there are often too many cops at the scene touching things they shouldn't The detectives must keep track of all the people there and must write down everything. Lots of sirens and lights add to the confusion.
A Public Information Officer said that cops are employees--and people. Investigations take a long time. The lead detective knows the most. Often staffing conflicts occur.
A former CSI agents said that all the TV shows get it wrong. Everyone, including the CSI must wait for the coroner before anything can be done. CSI does no interviewing of suspects.
An ER doctor said no ER doc follows the patient into surgery.
An undercover cop said we're all vulnerable. Things are never clean. The human element is always there. Trauma affects everyone. Cops won't even remember how many bullets were fired. There is such a sense of chaos during a shooting, often can't remember the chronological order of what happened.
Another retired detective said the current atmosphere is difficult. The precinct where he worked didn't have nearly as many cars as needed. The work load is terrible. Good officers don't have needed equipment.
And here's more comments:
Most of what ou see on TV is not realistic.
Cadaver dogs can locate bodies and body parts.
All evidence take a long time to get results on. DNA close to a year. Ballistics 6 weeks or more.
During an autopsy no one eats in the room.
Hearing this kind of information that I love about the PSWA conference.
Marilyn
Coming soon:
3 comments:
I've been to similar conference sessions other places. Some of this is the same that I've heard before and some is added information. What caught my attention the most here is the comment about the confusion cops feel when shooting starts. The problem is they are probably going to take the blame regardless when someone is hurt in situations like that. I'm not referring to obvious police brutality, but I'd be scared to be a cop in this day and time when shooting starts and confusion and fear is everywhere.
Thanks for sharing that. Good stuff to know. I've seen lots of mistakes in certain shows as well- especially in my favorite show, "Murder She Wrote", but that's TV.
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