Combat camera Airmen learn battlefield forensics

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Christine Jones
  • 4th Combat Camera Squadron
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) --  It was a first for the Air Force when a cadre of instructors from Six3 Systems Inc. arrived here to teach a battlefield forensics course to 4th Combat Camera Squadron Airmen.

In the past, company officials taught the course to only Army and Marine Corps units, but 4th Combat Squadron officials recognized the need for Air Force photographers to learn the information as well.

Combat camera teams, typically composed of a photographer and videographer, accompany mounted and dismounted patrols to document military operations worldwide. On patrol, these visual-imagery specialists could find themselves as an integral part of crime-scene investigation or battle-damage assessment.

"While we have instructed Air Force personnel in the past, usually as a part of a weapons intelligence team, this was the first time we were asked to instruct an exclusively Air Force unit," said John Herrick, the deputy program manager for the battlefield forensics course, and also a reservist with 4th Combat Camera.

Six3 Systems specializes in biometrics and identity intelligence. Department of Defense officials use the company's expertise to instruct service members on battlefield forensics.

On the battlefield, biometric evidence needs to be carefully collected to determine possible threats to coalition forces and to help identify insurgents. Physiological traits of biometrics include, but are not limited to, fingerprints, face recognition, DNA transcription, hand geography and iris detection.

The instructors said biometric evidence is used to identify the makers of improvised explosive devices, which are the number-one threat to U.S. service members in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

"This course would help secure a seat for Combat camera (members) on a manifest if the battlefield commander was aware of the additional skills of their newly assigned (personnel)," said Tech. Sgt. Francisco Govea, a photographer with 4th Combat Camera who recently returned from Afghanistan. "Not only are they able to document the event in the usual way, but (they) also preserve a site for forensic evidence if the need should arise."

In addition to the 22 Airmen who attended the four-day course, there were Soldiers from the 306th Psychological Operations Company in Los Alamitos, Calif., as well as two Mass Communication Specialists from Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific, at Naval Base Coronado, Calif.

"It was great to get out and train deploying Air Force personnel," Mr. Herrick said. "Once they understood the big picture of how this training continues to save lives in the future, they were highly motivated!"

Six3 Systems officials sent 10 instructors. These unique teachers have extensive experience in forensic science, law enforcement, counterintelligence and military operations.

"By the end of the course, students learned site exploitation techniques such as forensic photography, tactical questioning, field documentation, known print recovery, latent print development, material collection and also IED awareness," Mr. Herrick said.

Staff Sgt. Samara Scott, a 4th Combat Camera photographer, compared her experience to learning different pieces of a puzzle.

"Each piece prepares you for the big, overall picture," she said.

Armed with their skills in the forensic field, the Six3 Systems team members covered the proper procedures for site exploitation and evidence collection. Team members would explain each procedure in depth, give the students time for practice in hands-on labs, and then use the procedures tactically in field-like scenarios.

"Once we collect any biometric signature from the battlefield -- fingerprints, DNA, etc. -- it will be available to us and our allies forever," Mr. Herrick said.

Not only do the instructors teach, but many have recently deployed and were assigned to the Combined Explosive Exploitation Cell and Joint Expeditionary Forensic labs in Afghanistan and Iraq. Continually learning, the instructor team is able to share experience of common mistakes deployed service members make in the handling of forensic evidence. As of February 2010, these labs have made 1,401 latent print matches. This can lead to the conviction of high-value terrorists.

"Every print that is inadvertently wiped away because of lack of knowledge on how to handle evidence means more lives lost," said Maj. James K. Ward, the 4th Combat Camera assistant director of operations. "We need to turn the trend around and gather as much evidence and fingerprints as we can."

During the course, the instructors set up a static display of devices that are commonly used as detonators for IEDs. Some of the items included cordless phones, cell phones and washing machine timers.

"The training was beneficial in many ways," Sergeant Scott said. "If you ever deploy and get thrown into a crime-scene situation, you know how to use the 'forensic touch.'"

Surprisingly, even after detonation, forensic teams have been able to collect fingerprints from debris.

"The training has taught me a new way to look through the view finder," said Master Sgt. Juan Valdes, a 4th Combat Camera videographer. "There is definitely more than meets the eye."

Fingerprints are just one of the marks insurgents leave behind. During the course, students also learned how to conduct a swab for DNA, and the steps for using a biometrics automated toolset and handheld interagency detection equipment. In addition, the students practiced tactical questioning.

The biometric-enabled intelligence that is collected can be sent into a watch list, which has more than 44,055 subjects listed.

If a match is found, it will return an analysis, supporting documents, actionable intelligence, and links to associated personalities and events.

"I definitely feel more confident," Sergeant Scott said. "Without this training, I could have walked into a real-world crime scene and damaged forensic evidence in the area, just because I lacked the knowledge and awareness."