Reflections Magazine Issue #81 - Fall 2014 | Page 17

Feature Article

Currently, she supervises a team of scientists who aid the MSP in its investigations.
“Now my day consists of mostly managerial duties, overseeing casework and not
necessarily performing casework duties,”
Proctor said. “I still get into the lab to complete my DNA and Body Fluid Identification
(BFI) proficiency tests. … I still get supplemental evidence samples from old cases I
did when I was a bench analyst, so I still get
the satisfaction of writing up DNA reports.”
She said technology advances in her
field have tremendously improved methods
and results. When she started, to get a
successful DNA profile, scientists needed
a sample about the size of a dime. Now, a
sample only needs to be the size of a pinhead.
“There often times is very little blood on
crime scene evidence, and that is the art of
our profession – to find very small blood
stains and try to get a DNA profile from a
trace amount of blood,” Proctor said. “There
may be a single hair, and we attempt to get
DNA from a single hair root.”
And just how accurate are television
shows like “CSI” in depicting her profession?
“We obviously do not drive Hummers,
wear loads of makeup, high heels or designer shades,” Proctor said. “And not all crime
scenes are processed in broad daylight.”
She said scientists must wear fatigues
and “lots” of personal protective equipment
to the crime scene, and “actual lab work
is n