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The Forensic Science Service (FSS) aims to contribute to crime
detection, conviction of criminals and exoneration of the innocent. In
2003, the FSS dealt with 140,000 cases and continued to run a research
facility responsible for many forensic science breakthroughs and
innovations, particularly in the field of DNA technology. Helen Butler
works as an assistant forensic scientist at their Huntingdon lab, one
of seven laboratories across England.
 What initially interested you in becoming a forensic scientist?
During my O-levels, my dad fitted the phone system in a FSS lab, and
brought me home their leaflet because I was interested in biology and
chemistry. I went on to do a Natural Sciences degree at Girton College,
but wasn't accepted for my first FSS application. Instead, I worked as
a research assistant in molecular biology, investigating water
contamination for 18 months. Then, the London (FSS) lab advertised for
positions, I applied and began my career with the service.
Was that the traditional entry route?
Yes, although
some come into the service with just A-levels, and many people do the
forensic science degree at the University of East Anglia. Most people
have chemistry or biology degrees, and some have PhDs. A degree is
required to become a reporting officer (RO).
How many people work directly with you in the Huntingdon lab?
There are 60 assistants in the Evidence Recovery Unit (literally,
gathering evidence), and 40-50 reporting officers, who are usually the
only people who present findings of evidence collection in court. We
are split into four teams of recovery and reporting units. We always
work with the same team of reporting officers, and the teams have a mix
of specialists in the various evidence types, mine being fibres
analysis and blood work.
Do you have a typical day?
No, it depends on the
caseload. For example, a few days ago I received a couple of case
files, so first I spent some time getting it clear in my mind what the
RO wanted me to look for. I then collected the items of evidence from
our store. The first case was an armed robbery during which two people
had tried to rob a pizzeria. A balaclava had been found nearby, so I
had to search it for hairs, blood and saliva. I checked for saliva with
a test that reacts with amylase (an enzyme) to give a colour marker. We
had a reaction, so I extracted the cellular material and sent it off
for DNA analysis. The second case was evidence from a fight between two
males, and I had to look for blood on the knives found, but I haven't
had the results yet. ROs will sometimes tell you about the findings,
but mostly we don't get much feedback on the results of our tests. When
you work on a big case though, you may hear the outcome from the press.
Are there any particular skills that you think are definitely
needed for a career in forensic science, like patience or attention to
detail?
For fibres you certainly need a lot of patience. If you think about how
many fibres and debris you could get off a car seat, you can spend days
searching them with a low power microscope. 
How are you trained?
We are trained in house. With
fibres for example, I trained for six to eight weeks. We have mock
cases, and we don't do any work on real cases until we have proved we
are competent. Even then, we have five to 10 cases that are mentored.
Is it stressful because you know that your work will go to court?
I like to think there is purpose to my work. I find it a plus to have
cases where you might find the evidence to place someone at a crime
scene. When you see case details, how do you cope with what has happened to that person?
I don't think you'd come into this job if you couldn't step back from
it. There are some people who just deal with chemistry cases and don't
think they can cope with the blood or sexual assault cases. You do have
to switch off a bit.
What would you say the biggest benefits and downsides of your job are?
Benefits are that it has a meaning to me; it's why I wanted to do the
job. I like that it's hands on, I like the chemistry side of it and I
have the patience to do the fibres as I enjoy the challenge. Downsides
are that many people here are on shift work, so we can get more people
into the lab space. They work one weekend in four, and
nine-and-a-quarter hour days, which is a long time to be concentrating.
But I work part time now, so it's not as bad for me. Are you or anyone in your lab involved in researching new techniques?
We don't tend to do research here, but we sometimes have students for a
few months. One was looking at scratching and how long evidence remains
under fingernails, while another worked on fibres remaining in hair
after contact. That is the kind of thing presented at forensic science
conferences. Who decides which cases you work on?
The cases go to
the ROs and it depends whether it's a reporting officer in my team, and
whether I have the specialist training to work on some or all the
aspects of the case.
Who goes to a crime scene?
It depends how serious the
crime is. Usually it is dealt with by the police's own scene of crime
officers. They respond to the majority of cases: taping fibres, point
of entry, footprints. Then if the police want some more specialist
knowledge they will call in a RO. Sometimes a RO will take an assistant
if it's a big scene.
Do you think forensic science TV shows increase interest in your career?
It's always been popular. When I applied in London there weren't many
programmes around, and I think there were 800 applicants for 12 jobs.
It is one of those jobs that people think, "Oh wow!" but it is perhaps
a little more routine than people expect and there is as much paperwork
as anywhere else. It's certainly not like Amanda Burton! If you would like to find out more about working for the Forensic Science Service, visit the careers section of the FFS website at www.forensic.gov.ukNerissa Hannink is a postdoc in the Department of Plant Sciences |
