Crime Scene Assistant EDI Section Launch

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) – for some, dirty words in the current political climate. Not for Angela Davies and Dionne Watson who recently launched a new EDI section in their App, Crime Scene Assistant, which has been designed to aid frontline responders. 

Teesside University graduates and Managing Directors of CSI Training and Events Ltd, Angela Davies and Dionne Watson launched an app to aide frontline responders, in June 2020.

Crime Scene Assistant, The Original Forensic Awareness App, was developed from their personal experience as Crime Scene Investigators and Disaster Response Consultants, with the aim to tackle a lack of forensic awareness knowledge amongst those who are frequently first in attendance at a crime scene, but who often receive little to no training. Professionals such as Police Officers, Paramedics and Fire Officers.

After the success of the initial launch the pair released a licensed version of the app, so that organisations were able to bulk buy licenses at discounted rates, something which has proved highly popular, particularly in the education sector. Over 3000 students on a multitude of courses, have had the app integrated into their studies at a number of universities across the country. The app has also been used as far afield as Africa, to train investigators when dealing with sexual offences.

Since the initial launch in 2020, Angela and Dionne have worked with many practitioners in the field to update and improve the app. However, their latest update, released at the beginning of the year sees the launch of their new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion section, which has been developed in collaboration with Dr Sana Rahim, Senior Lecturer in Critical Security at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU), and Professor Robert Dover, Professor of Intelligence and National Security and currently the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law and Politics, at Hull University. Both of whom have carried out a wealth of research and have a mass of experience in this area.

Dionne describes how the collaboration came to be, as the pair met Sana whilst working at SHU on a simulation module, that Angela and Dionne have helped to develop and deliver over the last 13 years. “Sana was one of the lecturers and we got talking before one of the sessions about her research, around the lack of knowledge that frontline responders have when working in diverse communities. We had several discussions and shared our lived experiences – which led to the light bulb moment of developing this section for the app. Sana introduced us to Rob, as she has conducted research with him previously”.

Angela said “the app was originally, and still is, a forensic awareness app however, our aim is always to help frontline responders within their role. They work in very diverse communities, and this can be challenging at times, particularly if no training or information is given. I remember when I started as a CSI, I went to a vehicle break in, in a Jewish community and I turned up on a Saturday. Not out of disrespect, simply due to a lack of knowledge about Jewish customs. This was a big lesson for me, one that stayed with me. We have many other examples too, not just from ourselves, but other responders we have worked with where a little bit of knowledge would have gone a long way to helping both frontline responders and the communities they serve”.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion seem to have become dirty words in the recent political landscape – but not for Angela and Dionne, who are shouting about their new section from the rooftops and believe in equality, diversity and inclusion for all. Angela herself has suffered over the years, due to her disability, yet states “I am a very strong, capable woman and I have achieved a lot throughout my life to date. I have mostly worked in roles that have served others, yet I have at times been seen as less than, due to my disability. I do not accept this as a standard. I have never really talked openly about my disability until recent years, living in fear of being placed in a box and overlooked. Something that women already face daily”.

Dionne states that “Clarity, communication, respect and humanity are always key, in life in general, but particularly when working in frontline responder roles and dealing with people from all walks of life, who are often victims of crime and the most vulnerable in society. We want to help build that trust and mutual respect, and knowledge is power"

The new section includes:
• Best Practice information for officers when dealing with:
o Different Religions and Cultures
o Subcultures – LGBTQIA+ groups
o Global Health – which includes Mental Health and Disability
• Guiding legislation
• Useful definitions

You can find out more about the EDI content from a recently recorded webinar which can be viewed at: bit.ly/EDILaunchWebinar

Angela and Dionne are overjoyed to have collaborated with Sana and Rob, such established and respected practitioners in this field. Angela said, “it was a real honour to work with Sana and Rob, for them to get the app and what we are trying to do from the off, and for wanting to be a part of it and contribute in the way that they have, is just incredible”.

Dionne said, “Sana and Rob bring a wealth of credibility to this section of the app, and we are grateful for all of their hard work”.

Much like the rest of the app, Sana and Rob managed to condense all their knowledge and experience into bitesize chunks of pertinent information, which has been tailored to each specific responder, making Crime Scene Assistant a useful scene aide memoir and learning tool, filled with practical information for all responders.

Currently, there is nothing else like it on the market.

Crime Scene Assistant is available for individual purchase in both App stores 

 

Or to license through an easy process by contacting info@csitrainingandevents.com

You can also find out more at: https://csitrainingandevents.com/crime-scene-assistant/ or scan: