STEP THREE

STEP SIX

Forensic Investigators

Compared

Engineer

Disk Jockey

Forensic Investigator

Student

Report on Forensic Investigator

After interviewing a series of forensic investigators, both in Italy and in England, we have been able to notice differences and affinities between them.

At first, that’s the most important thing, unlike in Italy, in England there is not a national police corps and a degree isn’t required to become a forensic investigator.

Moreover, while in Italy a period of training is not necessary, in England they have to undergo a 2 years preparation period.

While in England the specialization consists in 5 week courses, that are divided into 3 week courses of photography, finger prints and forensic overview; and in 2 week consolidation courses; In Italy there are different kinds of specializations, you can choose among: ballistic, biology, chemistry and inflammables, juridical photography, phonics and graphic.

While in Italy there are state exams with a fixed number of vacancies (last year 1 for physics graduated and 2 for biology), in England there aren’t state exams and limited number of places.

About holidays, an Italian forensic investigator has 10 days less than the English one: in England the forensic investigator has 40 days per year.

An English forensic investigator, as the Italian one, can retire after 30 years of work, or when he-she is 60yo.

In England the number of working hours a day is not fixed, in Italy, instead, they usually work 36 hours a week.

About the ratio men-women, in English police departments the 25% of the investigators is female, while in Italy it is about 55%.

In England the difference between a forensic investigator and a normal police officer is that the latter (police officer) works in the street and he can be graded 1 to 7, the former (forensic investigator) doesn’t wear a uniform and works in office on cases; in Italy there aren’t differences between the two, because both work in juridical and security police and in addiction they have the tasks of a forensic investigator. Both in England and in Italy, the forensic investigator very often cooperates with other police groups.

Job instruments, for English forensic investigators are: finger print powder, torches, cameras, packaging material, different swabs to keep (foot marks), papers to take marks, chemical spray products which make blood or other materials evident (they often spray entire rooms to find evidences).

For Italian forensic investigators they are: reagents, other technical materials and a PC to make detailed reports.

About murders, in England there is one per year in the Square Mile and 10 per week in the surrounding area, over 50% of all crimes in Italy are murders.