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"A Family Tradition for 133 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 9, 1999 - 5 He's at the scene of the crime Durham Police officers are training to gather evidence for major crime investigations By Chris Hall Port Perry Star After slowly peeling a piece of clear tape from a small flashlight, Constable Jeff Ward gently presses it down on a black card, then lifts it up to take a good look at it. "That's pretty much it; that looks like a good lift, you can see my thumbprints quite clearly," he said, giving an example of the work he does as a Scenes Of Crime Officer (SOCO). It's a new part of his duties with the Durham Regional Police. Officers in Divisions throughout the region have been trained for the duty, said Const. Ward, who works out of Port Perry's 26 Division station. "It was something I... applied for about four years ago. I had an interest in the identification part of policing," he said. SOCO candidates receive instruction at the regional force's Durham College training centre, said PC Ward. Officers can also take courses in becoming a breathalyzer technician ("breath tech") or an accident investigations officer. While the seven-year veteran spends' the majority.of his time as a patrol officer, his SOCO skills are often put to the test. "It's basically dusting for fingerprints and taking photos at crime scenes. You're called to a scene where there's been a break-in or a fatal or serious injury involving a motor-vehicle accident; any- thing like that," he said. SOCO officers are trained to look for "any sort of thing related to a stolen item or accident that can be documented for evidence in court, or used in an inves- tigation leading to an arrest," said Const. Ward. They're also instructed to be thorough; a SOCO officer's work is often painstak- ingly long. Durham Regional Police Constable Jeff Ward with some of the tools of his trade. He's one of 26 Division's newly-trained Scenes Of Crime Officers (SOCOs), who are responsible for gathering forensic evidence. "You speak to the complainant and hear what happened; check for footprints outside and grab a photo if possible," he said. "You also have to check for the point of entry; it's not a break and enter every time. There's distinct characteristics with each entry. You then go through room by room to see what has happened, and determine where you want to start taking photos," he said. "You want to record what the place . looked like before you start moving things around for dusting. Anything the owners can tell you that is out of place is helpful, and you have to see what has been moved. Not everything is suitable for dusting." Searching for prints involves lightly dusting a powder onto objects around the crime scene and, upon finding them, lifting them off. "Once we find (a print) we think might be good we photograph it and then pull it off and put it on a lift card and send it to the ID Unit in Oshawa," he said, adding that some items are taken from the home to a police station for dusting, where there is a better working environ- ment. "If it's good enough and there's a chance for an ID, it'll be run through the computer system where a search will be done for a match," said Const. Ward. "If there's a hit and we get a match, the person's file will be pulled and it will be a case for court. The individual will be charged with the appropriate offence." The Minolta 35mm camera and flash kit are also used by Port Perry's three SOCO officers -- Constables Ward, Robert Redford, and Paul Williams -- quite fre- quently. "The photos of the crime location are used to take the judge and lawyer right to the scene," said Const. Ward. "If we have pictures, they can see exactly what the place looked like and what happened." While they are not always readily available, SOCO officers are asked to attend most crime scenes, says PC Ward. "They try and call us for most break- and-enters and other crimes but some- times there just isn't someone available," he said, explaining that ideally there would be at least one SOCO officer on each shift. "If we get called then we try and make it, but it's not always practical. Iv s up to us to judge the situation. "Priority calls take Sracelont? for THE KENT FARNDALE BURSARY FOR THE ARTS Open to any resident of Scugog wishing assistance in pursuing a specific field of art. Application forms available at the library Please return completed application forms to the library by April 15, 1999. Applications are now being received at the -- Scugog Memorial Library AAI IDIOANTAR TR NR [OND 1010] Energy efficient windows reduce draft & increase Want Diane Richardson Alcan vinyl & Mobile: 905-404-5254 aluminum windows. 14 yrs. 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Saturated Fats are solid at room temperature. In excess, they can raise blood cholesterol. Choosing lean meats, lower in fat dairy products and limiting foods that contain lard, palm, or coconut oils is recommended. Trans Fatty Acids are found in foods with hydrogenated oils. By hydrogenating an oil, the chemistry changes so it works in your body more like a saturated than an unsaturated fat. You find these fats in some margarines and many convenience foods. Therefore, choose a nonhydrogenated margarine and use prepackaged higher Send questions to "Ask the Dietitian" 'By Nutrition at Work, a group of Port Perry dietitians providing individual group nutrition counseling. NUTRITION PROS, by Lisa St. John, R.D. fat items less often. Box 5283, Port Perry \ This message sponsored by YEARS EMMERSON INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED General Insurance Since 1917 193 QUEEN ST., PORT PERRY (905) 985-7306 Sel SD NN Mh ly ME