RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - Rutherford County Sheriff’s Detective Amanda McPherson earned status as a certified crime scene technician after graduating in June from the National Forensic Academy at the University of Tennessee. McPherson also earned certification in blood stain pattern analysis, latent print analysis and shooting reconstruction. Since she became a detective 4-1/2 years ago, graduating from the academy became a goal.
“Scientific techniques and simple, methodical routines of crime scene preservation and documentation are, and always will be, key when explaining how certain crimes have taken place,” McPherson said. “The skills I learned, including cutting edge forensic techniques, have guided me and helped make our Criminal Investigations Division here at the Sheriff’s Office the best it can be.”
The 10-week class included:
- Latent print (fingerprint) examination, including how to obtain prints off of different materials, identify prints and to view those prints.
- Photography of crime scenes in low light and in close range, mid-range and overall ranges.
- Blood stain pattern analysis to identify the type of stain and how to determine different angles of impact, origin and convergence of differing methods.
- Reconstruction of shooting angles of impact to determine different types of defects, what that means and how the shooting unfolded.
- Anthropology by performing a clandestine grave recovery and learning how to determine facts of the case based on human remains.
- Incidienary and explosive devices to determine its origin, what led to the event and the accelerants used.
- Cellular and social media investigations and available resources.
- Crime scene reconstruction and mapping to learn measuring techniques including triangulation and how to use total stations to digitally map the crime scene.
McPherson said some of the most fascinating aspects were discovering the resources available and advancements in technology, DNA and other investigative tools. “I learned to not make assumptions but instead let the evidence guide me,” McPherson said.
“I was very grateful for the opportunity to represent Rutherford County and the Sheriff’s Office at a prestigious, globally recognized educational institution,” McPherson said. “I look forward to utilizing what I have learned to effectively and efficiently help the citizens of Rutherford County.”
