Arguably one of the most portrayed and dramatized role in law enforcement is that of the Crime Scene Investigator. From real world cases, such as the O.J. Simpson trial, to the fictional CSI television franchise, the role of collecting and examining evidence has itself been put on trial. However, within this already highly specialized world exists an even more elite group of investigators who conduct forensic investigations in places no one even knows about and no one has ever seen.
In this session Bobby Chacon will describe how the FBI’s underwater forensic divers are sent into some of the most dangerous places to conduct their crime scene investigations. Operating in a space that is hostile to human life, these investigators must follow all the procedures of their dry land counterparts, but must do so while on life supporting breathing equipment and in a place where things are constantly moving around and where hostile marine life may be present.
Bobby will explain what goes into becoming a forensic diver in the FBI and how this might differ (greatly) from what many people know about recreational diving. Bobby will also describe some of the more high profile cases that FBI divers have been involved in, such as the 1996 TWA Flight 800 crash, the 2003 Space Shuttle crash, the Laci Peterson case, the recent San Bernardino terror attacks, and others.
