N.C. State holds CSI symposium

Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina State University, known for its forensics program, held a symposium Friday to showcase their high-tech Crime Scene Investigation equipment and some of the experts in the field that can help law enforcement.

“A lot of times law enforcement needs specific or specialized guided research, but they don’t have the resources, and they don’t have the time to conduct the research,” N.C. State forensics Dr. Ann Ross said.

Among the items featured was the Delta Sphere 3000, a three-dimensional laser scanner made in the Triangle.

“You can view the scene from any particular viewpoint. With pictures you can only view the scene from the view you happen to take the picture from,” said Doug Schiff, of 3rd Tech, Inc.

Five years ago, the university and the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology Research Center established the North Carolina Program for Forensic Sciences, which maintains a list of certified experts, including archaeologists, geologists, chemists and entomologists, whom law enforcement agencies use to help investigate homicides.

The program has helped with several high profile cases locally, including the murder of Progress Energy employee Cynthia Moreland.

Many of these professionals have been trained at N.C. State, but law enforcement wasn't always accepting of outside help in their investigations.

“If they can just be exposed through these symposiums and the workshops that we have, so that they can get out there and recognize that they need assistance. They need to call in an expert. That’s the key to it right there,” former crime scene photographer Gary Knight said.