If you watch the CSI television series, you would think the crime labs in most major cities really have it together. You would think their scientific methods are up to date. You would think they would store evidence properly. You would think their systems would be uniform and standardized. Well, think again.
According to an article in the New York Times, the National Academy of Sciences released a very serious critique of crime labs round he country. The report says specimens for analysis are often handled by poorly trained technicians. Unqualified personnel loom everywhere. Forensics, from bit marks to blood stains and everything else in between are largely in shambles. CSI it ain’t.
Of course there are discussions aplenty about rules and laws that would fix the situation. Everything from Federal oversight to the usual recriminations are being bandied about. Controversy rages, as the wrong people are convicted, and, presumably, the guilty get off thanks to shoddy forensics.
Okay, so maybe there should be background checks to better qualify employees. Maybe the preemployment screening practice should be a lot more strident. Management skills could be better and codes of standards should be met. It is easy enough to say, for sure, but in this rotten economy where does the governmental agencies find the funds to rehabilitate the nation’s crime labs? Good question.
As with the crime labs throughout the city, if you have a business and you run it like most cities are run, in this economic downturn your company will be counted among the casualties. You can lose your market share, and you can lose your business. Among the the actions you take, be sure to hire skilled employees. That is employees who can actually do the job. Employees who are qualified, and managers who can coordinate an efficient operation.
Check them out before you hire.
