Penn State Intercom......August 29, 2002
Certified
forensics specialist knows
how to uncover hidden evidence
By
Bill Campbell
Special to Intercom
Randy Hoffman knows full well the ins and outs of a crime scene. Hoffman, a 23-year veteran with University Police, is the department's evidence technician specialist. Besides training department officers on the current state of the science of forensics, he is responsible for handling major crime scenes.
"Most people who commit violent crimes do so in the heat of the moment," he said. "The exchange principle is the basic tenet of a crime scene. When someone enters an area, they bring something in with them, such as fingerprints, a shoe impression or clothing hairs and deposit it. When they leave, they take something out with them. Examples are carpet fibers, dust or broken glass and wood fibers from a forced entry.
"Through a forensics investigation, we determine what they left at the scene and what they took with them and then try to connect the two. This is becoming more important than in the past in enabling us to get a confession and moving forward.
"Now, especially for repeat offenders who often remain silent, we need to find physical evidence, including DNA, that ties the suspect to the crime and that can be presented to a jury in a way that they can understand it. We need to be able to communicate how the physical evidence relates to the crime and why we believe it connects the accused to the crime."
Hoffman, a 1978 University graduate with a bachelor of science degree in law enforcement and corrections, first developed an interest in forensics during a summer practicum with the Allegheny County Coroner's Office. Over the years, he has obtained several hundred hours of specialized training in crime-scene investigation, including fingerprints, photographs, blood splatter and ear prints.
He said technology has played a major role in police work in recent years, noting that fingerprints and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) have greatly enhanced chances of identifying perpetrators.
"In the past, it was technically impossible to identify suspects quickly. Now within minutes, we can develop a suspect. Recently, we were able to identify the perpetrator of a number of car burglaries and to recover stolen property. We had no knowledge of this suspect, who had a prior record for a drug offense. We submitted fingerprints to the AFIS Lab and had a suspect in 20 minutes, with a confirmation of identification by 9 a.m. the next day.
"DNA comparison techniques also have improved greatly, with only a small sample now needed to make a comparison. However, the chance of contamination has gone up because of the greater sensitivity in testing and analysis. Because of that, we emphasize training our officers on how to collect evidence and how to protect that evidence from cross contamination. That has become increasingly important."
Hoffman trains officers on the use of alternative light sources at crime scenes, including a small, compact forensic light that can be carried in a shirt pocket and is equipped with a filter for viewing pieces of evidence. They also are trained in the use of a serology collection kit.
While television shows such as "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," are very popular, Hoffman said one problem with such shows is that they make criminals a little smarter because they become much more aware of investigative techniques and take time to leave behind fewer clues. At some local crime scenes, for example, he has found cloth and latex glove prints left by suspects who wore the gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints behind.
He watches "CSI" regularly and feels it is fairly true to the science of forensics, but that it sometimes creates unrealistic expectations from the public because everything is done in an hour.
"Its biggest offense is the compression of time and the expectation that leaves on viewers," he said. "For example, the 'CSI' investigators get DNA results in a half-hour. That is unrealistic. It often takes weeks or much longer. In one instance last year, it took five months for us to get positive identification on a DNA sample.
"At the same time, the show has created an interest in the science. More students are asking about careers in forensic science."
While undergoing specialized forensic training, Hoffman was admitted to membership in the International Association for Identification, a well-respected organization that certifies professional forensic practitioners. In 1993 he was certified by the association as a crime scene analyst.
With the group's Pennsylvania State Division, he has served as Webmaster, newsletter editor and second vice president. This year, he was elected president of the state division for 2002-003. He also will serve as a state division representative to the international group and will assist in reviewing credentials of applicants to the organization. He has gotten approval to hold the state division's annual evidence conference in State College next June, and plans to provide more training opportunities for local police agencies. He also wants to promote more association certification testing.
"Pennsylvania is lagging in terms of certifying personnel," he said. "We need to get more officers certified and will promote this through newsletters and workshops. Certification shows that an officer's credentials have been reviewed and that he or she has been tested. It is a well-established and accepted evaluation process that demonstrates an officer's knowledge and training.
Hoffman believes that forensics will continue to be an important part of police work.
"The answers are there for you at a crime scene," he said. "You just have to find them. A good forensics person likes to play with puzzles. I love crossword puzzles and different word games. I would much rather deal with hard physical evidence to convict a suspect than to interrogate suspects who often lie to you."
Bill Campbell can be reached at wjc1@psu.edu.