TECHNOLOGY THE COVER.
Science Aids Law Enforcement A differential thermal analyzer, developed by the FBI is demonstrated by Donald J. Parsons, assistant director of the FBI in eharge of the laboratory. Samples are compared by noting temperatures at -which water of hydration, bound water, and decomposition occur
F YOU should take several scores of indoctrinate t h e m in the practical aspects of crime detection and put them in a modern laboratory, a n d supply t h e m with the finest technical equipment, you should come up with a potent force in t h e never-ceasing war against crime. J. Edgar Hoover, director of the F e d eral Bureau of Investigation, had such a dream 22 years ago. H e saw the undeveloped possibilities of science as the strong right arm of law enforcement. His dream took concrete form on November 24, 1932 when the F B I started its very modest technical laboratory with a technician and a microscope. In the intervening 2 2 years, the FBI laboratory has become one of t h e greatest criminological laboratories in the world. FBI scientists, armed with adequately preserved physical evidence, often testify in court as expert witnesses. Their testimony, together with that of trained law enforcement officers has often proved the nemesis of many criminals who might otherwise have not been trapped. The FBI is also justly proud of the fact that its technological evidence has often resulted in establishing the innocence of an accused person. Typical of the type of scientists who man the F B I laboratory is Donald J. Parsons, recently appointed assistant director of the F B I in charge of t h e laboratory. Parsons, a native of Washington, D. C , although only 4 5
I scientists,
4936
years of age, has served with the FBI for 2 0 years. After graduating from t h e George Washington University with a BS degree in chemistry, h e entered on d u t y in a clerical capacity a n d after a few months was assigned to t h e laboratory. Science—Arm o f Justice "Highly technical developments from the realm of science have, in recent years, b e e n adapted so successfully to the needs of law enforcement that they are daily proving to be a sharp sword in behalf of justice. In case after case, the scales of justice have been held in balance—both in fixing guilt and in proving innocence—through subjecting evidence t o examination involving technical equipment such as microscopes, spectrographs, x-ray units, diffraction units and spectrophotometers. The fact that scientific instruments available t o us are constantly being improved, coupled with the fact that the background of each a g e n t examiner is developing continuously, definitely indicates that t h e laboratory will be of constantly increasing value t o the law-enforcem e n t officer in the future. That which was a difficult a n d intricate problem yesterday may today b e simple routine." J. E d g a r Hoover
As is t r u e with technical men in the F B I , Parsons took t h e training course given to all special agents. H e attained his special agent rating in J u n e 1936. Like many other technical employees, h e continued his technical education taking graduate courses at George Washington University. In his laboratory work h e has specialized in firearms identification, microscopic a n d chemical examinations, and various research activities. I n connection w i t h these duties, h e has testified as an expert witness in courts in practically every state in t h e country and Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. He has participated in such major cases as t h e notorious John Dillinger, Alvin Karpis, and Alfred Brady as well as several major kidnappings. During World W a r I I , Parsons devoted m u c h time t o security work, particularly that relating t o examination of scenes of explosions or disasters to determine the possibility of sabotage. FBI cooperation with law enforcement agencies in other countries has led t o Parsons travelling to Canada, Mexico, a n d Cuba. Parsons advanced steadily in t h e laboratory and in N o v e m b e r 1947 was n a m e d scientific chief. T h e everincreasing importance of t h e scientists and t h e laboratory in F B I operations is indicated by Parsons appointment in S e p t e m b e r 1954 to assistant director of t h e F B I in charge of the laboratory. N e w e s t Technology and Equipment Used· Because so m a n y unique situations are encountered in t h e scientific approach to crime detection, forensic science has become a specialized field. T h e F B I has pioneered in adapting t h e newest equipment to its specific work. It has also h a d to develop n e w t e c h niques particularly analytical. In t h e field of blood analysis, for example, blood samples obtained are often dry, caked with dirt, e m b e d d e d in fabric or on rusty metal and t h e like. T o identify such samples, as t o h u m a n or animal source, and m o r e specifically t h e blood type, required a whole n e w technique. Because t h e FBI's scientific examinations are often centered on m i n u t e samples, micro techniques and spectroscopic and spectrographic e q u i p ment are utilized to a great extent. I n developing these techniques a n d a p paratus, F B I scientists are in t o u c h with scientists and engineers of scientific apparatus and instrument companies, medical institutions, and o t h e r research organizations. T h e newest techniques involve u s e of radioactive isotopes and subatomic particles unknown to science a few years ago. T h e FBI, however, declines
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