Editor's note: Reporter Olivia Ingle is participating in the Missouri Highway Patrol's six-week Community Alliance Program. The program helps inform people of the functions of the Highway Patrol.
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Missouri Highway Patrol Cpl. Eric Stacks said the most difficult thing about investigating a crime scene is not seeing everything, but smelling the smells.
Stacks and Cpl. Marcus Reynolds discussed crime scene investigation and polygraph testing at Patrol's Community Alliance Program on Thursday.
Stacks said the first thing investigators do at a crime scene is determine what area the crime scene is and what has evidentiary value. They develop leads from there.
He said 80 percent of murders are committed by someone the victim knows.
"But, every death we're called to is a homicide, until we prove otherwise," Reynolds said.
Stacks and Reynolds also administer the polygraph test, which measures blood pressure, pulse respiration and skin conductivity while a subject is being questioned.
"It's an art, folks," Stacks said of administering the test. "It's a liar-liar business."
He said Patrol recruits have to take a polygraph as part of pre-employment. The questions measure things such as suitability and character.
As far as crime interrogations go, Stacks said he has an 80 percent confession rate or better after the polygraph.
"I read people," he said. "Most times before I give the examination, I know how they're going to do."
The bomb squad covers all areas of Missouri, with the exception of St. Louis, Kansas City, the Bootheel, Springfield and Columbia.
Sgts. Dave Martin and Mike Cunningham are members of Patrol bomb squad.
"Basically, what I get to do is blow stuff up and play with toys," said Martin, unit supervisor of the bomb squad. "When we're not doing explosives, we support the criminal and narcotics division with gidgets and gadgets."
The bomb squad has equipment such as robots, an X-ray and a bomb suit for various situations.
"Almost all bomb techs are hands-on, geeky and techy," Martin said.
Sgt. Mike Halford discussed with the Community Alliance Program attendees the various terms and procedures that encompass search and seizure.
Without a warrant, property can only be searched and seized if there is reasonable suspicion and probable cause.
"We're always fighting the 4th Amendment," he said. "It basically has to do with a right to privacy and a right to freedom."