Detective Smith brings in 50 items that he wants tested. He wants it done now. What impact does that have on a lab? Things to consider – size of the lab, types of testing, type of case, suspect at large or not.
Detective Smith brings in 50 items that he wants tested
Sample Answer
Detective Smith's request to immediately test 50 items has a significant impact on a forensics lab, creating a surge that can disrupt normal operations and create a backlog. The specific impact depends on several factors.
Lab Size and Resources 🔬
A small, understaffed lab would be overwhelmed. A large, well-funded lab with multiple analysts might be able to handle the request but would likely have to shift resources from other cases. This could involve pulling analysts from other tasks, postponing the analysis of less urgent cases, and incurring overtime costs. This immediate influx of work can also strain resources like chemical reagents and specialized equipment, potentially delaying testing.