ANDERSON, S.C. (WSPA) — Anderson forensic scientists say there are two branches of forensic science.
One department investigates crime scenes and gathers information, and the other analyzes drugs in the lab.
Forensic Investigator Lt. Chris Scott said forensic investigators primarily investigate property crimes such as robberies, motor vehicle break-ins and stolen vehicles.
Scott said forensic scientists are trained to tell if someone has tampered with evidence.
“If they try to cover up their footprints or tamper with fingerprint evidence by wearing gloves or something like that, there’s always DNA. And we always look for shoe impressions and other things, not necessarily just fingerprints. There is a need,” Scott said.
Regional Laboratory Director Karen Bowen said another branch of forensic science is analyzing the drugs in the lab.
If drugs are found in the area, they are confiscated by law enforcement and taken to a laboratory to be weighed and tested to determine the physical properties of the substances using forensic chemistry. .
“Our laboratory has very strict procedures in place regarding the acceptance of evidence. We have a series of storage procedures that must be followed before evidence is received into the laboratory. “We guarantee to the best of our ability that no tampering has occurred from the time it was seized until it was received here at the laboratory,” Bowen said.
Bowen said after the analysis is completed, the drug report will be given to law enforcement and kept until needed in court.
According to Forensic Scientists at Anderson, the time it takes to get results back varies depending on the type of case being solved.
