CIFS Internship

PICHAYATHIDA SIRIKUL 1110 CIFS INTERNSHIP CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCE

: an institute under the Ministry of Justice CIFS with a role in forensic science to carry out forensic investigations for legal matters. For several days during the October break, I interned at CIFS, rotating between various divisions and their subdivisions. 12 October, 2020 17 October, 2020 Division of Forensic Division of Forensic Science Science operation Operation Public Services Central Forensic Science Operation Section Evidence Management Section Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Central Forensic Science Operation Section 18 October, 2020 Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) MIssing and unidentified 14 October, 2020 person division Division of Forensic 24 October, 2020 Science operation Division of Forensic Central Forensic Science Operation Section Science operation Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Central Forensic Science Operation Section 15 October, 2020 Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Dna division 16 October, 2020 25 October, 2020 Division of Forensic Division of Forensic Investigation Investigation Automated Fingerprint and Forensic Chemistry Section Palmprint Identification Center (AFPIC)

12 October, 2020 Division of Forensic Science operation On the first day of the internship, I visited the Division of Forensic Science Operation and the three subdivisions: Public Services Public services, the first subdivision, is the start of everything. It is where average people and police can contact about legal matters such as: To report a complaint To send evidence to start an investigation To contact for deceased bodies To ask for forensic science services Genetic material testing Drug analysis in hair Document verification Request a copy of the verification report Evidence Management Section This second subdivision is where evidence is sent to be investigated. After being examined, the subdivision then sends the evidence to other subdivisions. Here, packaged evidence is opened to be inspected. Then, it is repackaged, sealed, and signed to confirm information about the evidence. The signing is incredibly crucial because, first, signing on the seal of evidence can prevent swapping or modification of evidence. Second, signing at the chain of custody tells where and who has the evidence went to, increasing the reliability of it in the court. Every single action in this section is recorded by a camera. Central Forensic Science Operation Section In the third subdivision, I was taught the basics of CSI or -blood, luminol sprays for finding bloodstain, and Crime Scene Investigation. alternate light source to find certain stains. First, I learned about its purpose: 5 Ws and 1 H. Through Then, I learned about the evidence collection CSI, information about what happened, where did the containers. This part is crucial for the incorrect type crime occur, who was the criminal/ was the victim/ died, of container that can destroy the evidence, such as when did the crime occur, why did the criminal commit how plastic bags can collect moisture, altering the the crime, and how did the crime occur are need to be evidence. There are three containers that I learned: investigated. paper bags for any evidence with blood, saliva, semen, Second, I learned about the basic materials needed or any bodily fluid stains; resealable plastic bags for during CSI, namely PPE, crime scene barricade tape, paper hair and fibers; metal containers for chemical bags, evidence markers, scales for photography, and evidence. measuring devices. To trace for evidence, a number of kits and tools are used to find and identify different types of evidence, such as Associated blood collection kit, phenolphthalein presumptive blood testing kit to test whether the suspect stain really is blood, hexagon OBTI presumptive blood ID kit to test whether the blood is a human’s or an animal's-

14 October, 2020 PT. 1 Division of Forensic Science operation On the second day, I got to use the kits and tools used in CSI: Forensic photography I learned that taking photos in the right way is highly vital because pictures of evidence and crime scenes can be used later in the future to recreate crime scene and to be used as proof in court. For crime scenes, photos must be taken using wide-angle shots then close- up shots to show the relationship of the evidence to the overall scene. For evidence, photos must be taken at the right angle, close-up, clear, and scales must be placed to show the size of the evidence. Laser distance measurer A technology that allows investigators to measure distance easily and quickly using a laser. Phenolphthalein presumptive blood testing kit Indicates whether the suspected stain is blood or not. The kit contains cotton-tipped swab, alcohol, phenolphthalein reagent, distilled water, and hydrogen peroxide. How to use: dab the cotton swab on the suspected stain, drop small amount of all three solution on the swab, and wait for a moment. Bright pink color will show up on the cotton swab if the stain is blood. Electrostatic dust lifter Footprint tracing where dust particles from footprints are attracted to a film. Latent Fingerprint kit Fingerprint tracing The kit contains basic black powder, tape, and a marabou feather duster. How to use: use the feather to pick up some powder, brush lightly on the target area in a circular motion, lift the fingerprint using tape, then place it on a piece of paper.

14 October, 2020 PT. 2 Division of Forensic Science operation Metal detector Mainly used to detect a body with metal implants or ammunition. Alternate Light Source A tool that uses UV and visible light waves in order to observe glowing, which indicates the area of bodily fluids, fingerprints, gunshot residues, hair, fiber, and bruises on bodies. This tool is used in a dark room and works best indoors. 3D Forensic Mapping and Reconstruction Maps the crime scene in detail with accurate dimensions and distance. Highly convenient for investigators to record the crime scene and for the future court in the situation in which the case may be investigated again, but the crime scene is already destroyed. Q & A session Where I sat with four instructors and asked questions about university programs, suggested pathways, working environment, their feelings about this job, and information on each division. This helped me a lot in deciding more about what job and in which division I will go in the future, which is currently Forensic Science in DNA Division*. *Note: At the time I still aim for forensic science. However, two months later, I have changed my target field completely.

15 October, 2020 DNA DIVISION On the third day, I went to the DNA division, the division that I’m very interested in. ISO A lab technician told me that the lab is ISO/IEC 17025 certified, so everything that goes on in the lab must strictly follow the protocol, e.g. the amount of reagent should not be too high or low, the equipment should be checked every year, and every evidence must be signed Though It may sound inconvenient, these restrictions make the lab and evidence more reliable and provide more accurate lab results. Evidence Management Room Then, I was introduced to the evidence management room. Here, evidence from the Evidence Management Section at the main building is sent. Role: people in the evidence management room compare the evidence and its information to see whether they match. If they don’t, the evidence will be sent back to the Evidence Management Section. If they do, the evidence will then be distributed to the labs that the evidence is assigned. The Chain of custody is emphasized here. When evidence is passed on to another person, signing is required and the location that it was sent to and from must be recorded. DNA Profiling After that, I was told to put on PPE to observe the process of DNA extraction in the laboratory. Here, every step must follow the protocol and each evidence has a different protocol. Not following it can make things go wrong. There are two systems of DNA extraction: DNA IQ and QIAamp MinElute columns. The system that I’m observing today is the DNA IQ system, in which the process is described on the next page.

DNA IQ Steps Pre-Amplification Room 1 Enter the Reagent preparation room to prepare 50 mg of powdered bones This room has three functions: into a tube. To determine the amount of DNA To determine whether the DNA has an Add 230 microliters of PrepFiler BTA inhibitor lysis solution. To validate reagent The tube is vortexed and centrifuged Determining the amount of DNA is crucial briefly. because if the amount of DNA is extremely inadequate, investigation of DNA may not Finally, the tube is incubated be possible. overnight. This last step takes a Thus, this room will put the DNA into a considerable amount of time so I got to certain process called polymerase chain observe only until this point. reaction (PCR) to increase the amount of There are more steps after this to get pure DNA, such DNA. as adding Proteinase K which will digest Determining the inhibitor is also important contaminating proteins in the cell. since if there is an inhibitor in the DNA, the chances of being able to increase the DNA IQ vs QIAamp MinElute Columns amount and extract DNA is incredibly low. Uses heat Doesn't use heat Database Laboratory include cell Especially useful when This room keeps DNA and evidence that lysis to there's small amount of contains DNA such as hair roots and DNA clothes with bloodstains. release DNA To collect DNA, fieldwork is required. and take out Lab technicians have to visit prisons to collect the prisoners' DNA. the cell Everthing here is kept for only 20 years. fragment, making DNA pure.

16 October, 2020 Division of Forensic Investigation On the fourth day, I got to experience various methods of fingerprints collection. Automated Fingerprint and Palmprint Identification Center (AFPIC) First, I got to learn how to dust fingerprints and how to collect them. What I did here was pasting my hand on a glass, and the glass is placed in a DWS Downflow Workstations, which are ductless fume hoods designed to protect the user and the environment from dangerous vapors. Here, I dust the fingerprint, take it out, then collect the fingerprint using tape. The lifted fingerprint was then placed on a paper. Next, I learned another fingerprint collection method Then, I learned how to retrieve fingerprints using called rolled impression, which requires ink and chemical means which turn fingerprints pinkish. rolling your fingers side to side. I also learned how to compare the suspect’s Finally, I learned about the patterns of fingerprints. fingerprints and the fingerprints from the crime scene using 12 points.

17 October, 2020 Division of Forensic Science Operation On the fifth day, I learned about ways in CSI to find evidence in certain cases, DNA, and evidence investigation. Finding Finding Evidence of evidence of drowning rape To identify a drowning victim or prove There are several tools used to find evidence that they actually died through drowning, of rape, such as: an investigation of samples of organs of the victim is performed. Luminol spray E.g., Examining the lung to find traces of Alternate light source diatom. AP PSA Semen Detection Test Kit Microscope. If the victim truly died by drowning, AP PSA Semen Detection Test Kit there will be diatom in their organs. A tool used to detect the presence of If there’s no diatom, that indicates semen. that the victim was killed using a A positive test result will show three red different means. bars. Microscope DNA Identification A bloodstain is placed on a slide and a lab technician looks at it to find traces of One of the ways to identify DNA is sperm, specifically the head. through STR or short tandem repeats. Here, I got a chance to try to find sperm STR contains repeating units of a short from a slide containing the blood of a real DNA sequence. case’s victim. The DNA sequence is shown on electropherograms, allowing scientists to DNA Limitations measure and compare DNA with the objective to find matching STR alleles DNA has its limitations. between the suspect and ones obtained DNA cannot be investigated if the amount of from the crime scene. it is exceedingly low and if there’s an inhibitor or contamination. Evidence Investigation In the case of hair, if there’s no root provided, the investigation of DNA is not possible. At the examination room, I observed the process of evidence investigation. In this process, there are five responsibilities and from two to up to ten people can be performing this investigation. The five functions are as follows: Unwrapper: unwraps, prepares, and hands evidence to the photographer. Photographer: take pictures of the evidence. Sealer: sealed the evidence back into the package. Owner of the case (usually the forensic pathologist): receives the evidence from the photographer, samples the evidence, and signs the evidence after the evidence is sealed Recorder: records information from the owner of the case Fortunately, I got to see the investigation of the lung, liver, and nails.

18 October, 2020 MIssing and unidentified person division On the sixth day, I learned about identity verification. The main objective of this division is to keep information on individuals so family members can identify the body later on. To identify a person... Methods to identify We observe their anatomy: bodies Sex Height There are many methods to Race identify corpses: Age Body parts Morphological Garments Characteristics or Accessories appearances, such as: Another way is to compare their medical Face features records: Eyes color Skin color Dental history Head and body hair Metal implants Tattoo Race Type of corpses Wound Gender There are four types of corpses at the crime Clothes and scene: accessories Anthropology Intact fresh corpses, in which their identity Identify gender, can be recognized visually (If there is race, and whether information such as identification card the bone is provided to be compared). human’s. The other three are harder or almost impossible Radiograph to be identified: Identify the age and Decomposed corpses the body’s bone Mutilated dismembered corpses pathology Skeletalised material Photographs are needed to be compared with a skull x-ray Odontology Identify the age and the corpse’s identity Dental records and dentists are required DNA Facial Reconstruction Fingerprints

24 October, 2020 Today, my instructor explained in detail the process of several actual cases, namely rapes, car accidents, suicides, Division of and homicides. Forensic Through the cases, I learned how the kits are utilized in Science real life, how to analyze crime scenes, evidence, and bodies, Operation and what forensic investigators do. I ultimately learned that to be a forensic investigator, it is On the seventh day, I learned about particular cases important to have a broad knowledge in other fields such and how the tools are used in real operations. as engineering to be able to understand the working of evidence or building, further helping with the investigation Central Forensic Science Operation and evidence analysis. Section At this subdivision, I observed the laboratory in which the 25 October, 2020 lab scientists extract DNA from biological evidence such as Division of blood or hair follicle. One surprising thing from this Forensic observation is that hair follicles can be tested to find Investigation indications of drug use. On the eighth day, I learned about DNA extraction and how hair follicles can be tested to detect drug use. A hair follicle drug test is incredibly effective. It can detect I also learned how and where evidence are sorted and up to 17 kinds of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, kept. morphine, or other kinds of drugs using a test called GC/MS. A hair follicle drug test also can detect drug use in Forensic Chemistry Section the past 90 days, making it superior to the widely used urine test which can only detect in the last three days. I also get to see the room where they keep all the biological evidence at the temperature of 4 Celsius to prevent them from deteriorating. The evidence is sorted mainly into these categories: evidence awaiting investigation, investigated evidence awaiting results, and investigated evidence waiting to be destroyed.