Worcester News

Crime Scene Lab Gives Edge To Worcester Detectives

WORCESTER (WBZ) ― Worcester police are using a new crime lab to go with their new Crime Scene Unit, or CSU in an effort to help them catch criminals and solve cases.

The crime lab replaces an old dark room and promises to take crime-fighting in New England's second-largest city from the dark ages into the digital age.

Shortly after a 911 call for a major crime, the Evidence Recovery Unit arrives on scene where detectives search for evidence that will potentially lead other officers to suspects.

"We actually enhanced the blood finger marks on the walls to see if we could develop some fingerprints," said Detective Janis Ford.

To help with their efforts, the Worcester Police Department has a new lab for crime scene investigations.

Lt. David Grady is in charge of the new crime scene unit.

"We renamed ourselves CSU. Somebody asked me once, 'Why didn't you call yourself CSI?' I said, 'That's too cliché,''' Grady said.

Detective Darlene Rocheford can now use a new computer program for AFIS -- automated fingerprint identification system – to help search thousands of cards for possible matches.

"Then we just link the two cards together," Rocheford said. "This is a 10,000 score. This is a perfect score."

Detectives said the lab can make a huge difference in an investigation.

"Quite often it's the fingerprint that's the key piece of evidence that actually begins the investigation, rather than the frosting on the cake that it used to sometimes be," Grady said.

This new CSU lab is not only beginning to expedite and enhance investigations but, by helping to solve crimes and get criminals off the street faster, it promises to make this city a better place to live.

Detectives said they hope their lab will meet international standards for accreditation later this year, which could lead to more grant money and even better crime-fighting tools.

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