Criminal experts’ experience on forensic traces not preserved by health and safety professionals

Abstract

Objective: to unveil experts’ experiences on traces not preserved by health and safety professionals. Methods: qualitative research developed with 27 criminal experts through telephone interview. Data were processed in IraMuTeQ and analyzed by the Descending Hierarchical Classification. Results: four thematic classes were obtained that evidenced the existence of a communication gap with the pre-hospital service experienced by experts, who believe that training of these professionals and police officers is necessary. In cases of differentiation between suicide and homicide, experts experience corpse mobilization, in addition to weapon removal from the original location. Health professionals mischaracterize the victim’s corpse and leave health care objects, such as gloves and syringes, in place, while police mischaracterize the scene, move objects and do not adequately isolate the scene. Conclusion: experts experience forensic traces not preserved by health and safety professionals in the position of objects and the victim’s corpse, feel a communication gap and point out the need for training and awareness of professionals. Contribution to practice: the findings can redirect the training of police officers and health professionals who work with crime situations.