NFSTC Training Observation
Trip Start
Aug 08, 2009
1
20
41
Trip End
Aug 30, 2009
Largo, Florida
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
It has to be appreciated that these guys are on an intensive 1-week course to teach them forensic recovery methods which they will employ in Afghanistan so they can not spend more than an afternoon on fingerprinting and techniques.
What was interesting to observe was that they were being trained to use black powder and apply this with a zephur brush or ostrich feather brush. Slightly different from the brushes we use for black powder. Having said this the application method is the same. Also the recovery methods i.e. photography then lift with either tape lifters onto fingerprint cards or gel lifter on a roll onto fingerprint cards is similar.
They were also trained to use a fluroescent orange magnetic powder. Initially on the earlier course, the Military students were issued with a large variety of powders but this has since been re-evaluated and the choices given are deemed to be the most appropirate under the circumstances they will face.
Students use blue light and white light torches to illuminate marks and then have access to a small digital handheld camera to photograph marks. No room for large cameras and tripods in their kits!
It was great to watch how inventive they are in respect of steading the curved surfaces they had to photograph and how they took photographs to show the marks using all sorts of items to balance the camera to avoid shake.
No photographs to show you I'm afraid as I didn't think it right to photograph those men who would be working in such a hostile environment but let me just say, it was really great to watch how quickly they picked the skills up. I applaud them for the job they are doing and will continue to do to help identify those who seek to threaten our countries.
Ron Smith is a great guy to watch teach and really motivates the students. As you are probably aware, they will be deployed into hostile areas and his words of wisdom to them really helped with their mindsets for the task in hand. Well done Ron!
