Forensic tweeting hailed a success
THE FIRST 24 hour ‘tweet-a-thon’ from forensic scene investigators (FSIs) in the UK has been hailed a success.
Yesterday (Thursday 17), two investigators from West Midlands Police tweeted live from crime scenes to provide a unique insight into the world of forensic science.
As well as fascinating forensic facts, the FSIs uploaded photographs of their scientific equipment and advised the public how to preserve vital evidence should they become a victim of crime.
The ‘tweet-a-thon’ was given the go-ahead by forensic bosses after police Twitter followers said they wanted to learn more about FSI roles having had their interest fuelled by hit TV shows such as CSI and Dexter.
Around 100 tweets were sent during the 24 hour session.
The extra activity saw followers of @brumolice increase by almost 3,000 ‘tweeters’, with the responses and comments nearly universally positive.
Forensic Scene Manager Helen Evans, who began the tweet-a-thon at 7.30am, said: “Most people seem to think that the role is similar in nature to CSI or other American TV dramas.
“By sharing less sensitive aspects of the work we undertake, we wanted to dispel a few myths while also showing how varied and challenging the role of a real forensic scene investigator can be.
“We had no idea the initiative would be so popular and have been overwhelmed by the public’s response.
“We were inundated with messages of support from young people wanting to become FSIs, those currently studying or lecturing in the profession and general members of the public who felt reassured that we go to such lengths to identify those who commit crimes.”
Helen and her colleague Kevin Ramsay – who tweeted from 3pm to 10pm and was then on-call from 10pm to 7.30am the following day – ensured that no information which may identify victims, offenders, divulge covert policing tactics or otherwise negatively impact on future investigations or trials was divulged.
Speaking about the initiative, Superintendent Richard Moore from Birmingham Central police station, said: “This initiative was designed to give the public an insight into the role of forensic scene investigators and the public have reacted really positively to it.
“The initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to keep local people informed about policing in the west and centre of Birmingham.
“We are now planning how to build on the success of yesterday’s tweet-a-thon and cover other lesser known aspects of policing.”
The @brumpolice Twitter account was launch in January 2011 and has been used to share important information on issues such as the summer disorder, security alerts in the city centre, crime prevention initiatives and more.
The account has also been nominated in two categories of this years national Golden Twit awards (Public Service and Information Service) and been highly commended by the National Policing Improvement Agency.
A selection of photographs of forensic scene investigators working and training can be viewed on the West Midlands Police Flickr account.
For more information, search for @brumpolice on Twitter.
