Despite advances in forensic technology, detectives are still unable to solve the murder case involving a man stepping out of his car to confront another man on one of Cheyenne’s busiest intersections. Police have bullet casings, witness reports, and video camera footage relating to the incident, but have not secured any convictions in the case which is now over a decade old.
Members of the Cheyenne Police Department’s Major Crime Scene Unit along with evidence technicians are involved in cold cases such as this, plus new cases that come up every day. Forensic evidence that is gathered at crime scenes by these CSI agents is then transferred to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation’s State Crime Laboratory, conveniently located in Cheyenne. Last year a collaborative effort between these two agencies secured evidence for criminal prosecutions in 21 robbery and 21 rape cases that were perpetrated in Cheyenne.
Forensic Science and CSI Degrees in Cheyenne
No matter the position, all forensic lab science and CSI jobs in Cheyenne require some form of relevant education. Candidates researching how to become crime scene investigators and forensic scientists should also be aware that in addition to online schools offering qualifying degree and certification programs, there are also two colleges in Cheyenne providing a relevant education for forensic science jobs.
The following are some of the CSI and forensic laboratory scientist positions held in Cheyenne:
- Body fluid serology and DNA forensic lab scientist, requires a bachelor degree, typically in biological sciences, including:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
- Gather crime scene evidence
- Maintain accurate records and files
- Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately
- Videography and photography
- Fluid pattern analysis
- Fingerprint and latent print detection and lifting
- Crime scene recreation and diagramming
- Chemical analysis forensic lab scientist, requires a bachelor degree, typically in chemistry or a closely related field and involves drug substance identification and clandestine meth labs
- CSI evidence technician, requires a combination of experience and education that qualifies incumbents to perform job duties such as:
- CSI field investigator, requires a combination of education and experience making the incumbent qualified to process crime scenes using the following methods:
Candidates can improve their qualifications for both CSI positions by becoming certified in any of the following areas:
- Forensic Photography
- Crime Scene Reconstruction
- Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
- Forensic Art
- Fingerprinting
Working with the Latest in Forensic Technology
The State Crime Laboratory has five areas of forensic specialization that take advantage of the latest advances in forensic technology:
- Chemistry Unit: analyzes chemical compounds to determine if they are controlled substances and if so, their level of purity. Also examines fire debris to determine the presence of accelerants. Methods include a Mass Spectra Search
- Firearms and Toolmarks Unit: restores serial numbers and can match shell casings to hundreds of thousands of known firearms using the latest database software
- Biology Unit: responsible for DNA testing from any variety of bodily fluids or substances using the latest advances in this field, the results of which are then compared with the national CODIS database
- Latent Print Unit: responsible for lifting and preserving any prints made by contact with a human body, which are then entered into the national AFIS database
- Trace Evidence Unit: conducts microscopic examination of materials that may have been inadvertently transferred from one location to another, including:
- Gunshot residue
- Glass
- Fiber
- Hair