Immediate Release
November 13, 2009
Batavia, Ohio. “There are some open homicides we probably could have solved, if we had this new laser at the time,” said Clermont Medicolegal Death Investigator Darrell Hawkins. The Clermont Coroner’s Office now has a high tech portable laser that will enable investigators to find trace evidence at crime scenes that was previously undetectable; the portable laser is the only one of its kind in Ohio. “The Coherent TracER laser can be taken to crime scenes to find tiny bone chips, even stains that are not visible to the naked eye. This technology will greatly assist us in investigating homicides and rapes because some biological trace materials are generally left behind that will provide us with clues as to identity the attacker.”
The almost $50,000 portable green laser was purchased by SOSINK (the Southwest Ohio, Southeast Indiana, Northern Kentucky steering committee) through federal homeland security funds. The forensic light source excites fluorescence in tiny or trace amounts of evidence, allowing it to be seen and photographed in situations where it is not visible in ambient light or with conventional dusting techniques. All biological evidence (such as semen, sweat, saliva, and skin oils) fluoresces, to some degree. The powerful portable laser will locate trace evidence through this technology.
The unit will be housed with the Clermont County Coroner’s Office, but will be available to SOSINK partners who have received special training on the laser. “It is quite powerful,” said Hawkins. “You must wear special goggles to protect your eyes if you are working anywhere near the laser.”
“This laser will help us solve more crimes; it will also help crime victims and their families find closure,” said Hawkins. “When we are called to the site of a plane crash or other disaster, the laser will assist us in finding biological materials that are critical in helping us resolve cases quickly and efficiently.”
Pictured above: Darrell Hawkins with the Clermont County Coroner’s Office demonstrates the powerful new portable laser while wearing protective goggles.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathryn Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.