Laboratory & Crime Scene Safety

Forensic ScienceMCPS

Thomas S. Wootton High SchoolRockville, MD

We have to make do!

• Small sized room • Lots of people• Lots of furniture• Backpacks & other

personal possessions

Rules in the classroom

1. Keep book bags under chair or desk.

2. Work together as a team.3. Respect other people’s

possessions.4. Respect the classroom

environment5. Keep common areas

clean and organized6. Do NOT do any

unauthorized testing

What is unauthorized?

ARSON

NOT SMART

What is unauthorized?

NO

HORSEPLAYNOT

TOLERATED

MY BIGGEST PET PEEVE!

• STUDENTS NOT CLEANING UP

• COMMON AREAS NOT CLEANED

NO

YES!

Keeping Common Areas Neat & Clean

Safety Items in the lab

Crime Scene Safety

• Guidelines to protect investigators at crime scenes and in the laboratory of infectious agents or dangerous materials is set forth by the International Association for Identification Safety (IAIS).

All investigators should…

• When arriving at the scene, agents should clear with authorities that there is no danger of potential suspects, explosives, building collapse, etc. Also any injured people have received medical attention.

• Wear latex or non latex surgical gloves• Have shoe covers on• Use goggles/mask/respirators/ face shield

when appropriate

All investigators should…

• Be alert when handling sharp objects such as knives, syringes, razor blades, etc.

• Have a red biohazard bag for disposal of contaminated gloves, masks, pencils, etc.

• One agent should be designated as note-taker. This individual does not wear gloves or handles any evidence

• Wash hands thoroughly• Eating, drinking, applying makeup are strictly

prohibited

At the famous LA crime scene involving OJ Simpson, police investigators failed to wear shoe covers.

All these footprints were mostly made from police officers. This means they tracked biological hazards on their shoes, to their cars, into their homes.

Are these investigators following the safety procedures?

Anything wrong here?