Cumberland Program Makes Forensic Training High Priority

Mike Peterson

trial is putting the Durham PoliceDepartment under the microscope for the way officers collected evidence atthe crime scene.

Even before the Durham trial began, investigators in Cumberland Countystarted a new program to make sure its evidence collection techniques arerock solid.

As a fingerprint expert, Angela Berry knows what kind of evidence can helpsolve crimes. She also knows what will and will not hold up in court.

Berry is sharing that information with crime scene investigators in Cumberland County andFort Bragg.

She said taking solid notes on everything is critical.

"That jury is going to want to know why you didn't do this and you'll haveto have it documented as to why," Berry said.

A few months ago, the Sheriff's Office started monthly training sessions inforensic science. With so many new investigators, it does not want to botcha case.

"Even experienced officers will make mistakes. We are all human and we wantto try to minimize those mistakes and not have them caused because theydidn't know," said Maj. Sam Pennica of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.

Christy Booyer has been a crime scene investigator for three months.

"I didn't realize how easily a print could be destroyed depending on thepackaging," she said.

The responsibility of collecting prints is not just with the crime sceneinvestigator, but with the jail intake officer. With so many repeatoffenders, a print taken could solve a crime years down the road.

Recently, a print in the system matched a partial print found at a murderscene. Berry said the work of a thorough intake officer helped nab asuspected killer.

"I'd never have gotten him," she said.

In the coming months, Cumberland County investigators will hear from experts on DNA, shoeprint casting and toxicology.