In Conversation with Carlos A. Gutierrez, International Forensic Expert

Legal DesireInterviews6 years ago553 ViewsShort URL

Carlos A. Gutierrez, MSFS, is the Science Director of True Forensic Science. Mr. Gutierrez, earned his college degree of Public Security Administration at Carabineros de Chile school in 2001. In 2002, earned his certificate Reforma Procesal Penal y sus Efectos en la Función Policial (Criminal Procedure Reform and its Impact on the Police Function) dictated by the Police Science Academy of Carabineros de Chile. Then, in 2003, obtained his specialization in Criminalistics in Carabineros de Chiles police agency. Later on, Mr. Gutierrez earned several certificates of different courses made in Argentina, Germany, Spain, Peru and the US. In 2012 obtained his Master degree in Educational Management at Andres Bello University in Chile. Then, in 2016 earned his Master in Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) at Chaminade University of Honolulu, USA.

Throughout his career Mr. Gutierrez has performed important positions such as, Subdirector of the Criminalistics Laboratory of Carabineros de Chile police agency in the city of Punta Arenas (Chile), expert of the Ballistics Laboratory of the Criminalistics Laboratory of Carabineros de Chile police agency in the city of Santiago (Chile), Chief of the Copyright and Forensic Anthropology at the same Chilean forensic agency and Director of the Criminalistics Laboratory of Carabineros de Chile police agency in the city of Talca (Chile).

Carlos was interviewed by Apoorva Mehta, Executive Asst. at Legal Desire about his journey in field of forensic science. Read the conversation here:

1) How was your journey till becoming the co-Founder of TFS?

I was a police officer in the Chilean National Police Agency called Carabineros de Chile. During my 18 years of service, I worked in the forensic Lab as a Crime Scene Investigator, Forensic Anthropologist, and Director. During my career I was involved in more that 6,000 cases, including the identification process of the victims of the 6th Biggest Earthquake and Tsunami in the world. and also I learned the importance of the continue education in the forensic expert. So I earn my Master Degree in Education in Chile and after I earn my Master of Science in Forensic Science in Chaminade University of Honolulu, USA. After that, I retired of my Police Agency and I started as a Faculty of Forensic Science of Chaminade University of Honolulu. Also I am finishing my Ph.D. In Forensic Sciences in the Juris Science Institute of Nayarit State, in Mexico.

2) You always wanted to be in this field or you had other ideas as well?

I always love the forensic sciences, and when I was police officer I studied and create my path to do it.

3) What do you like the most about forensics?

Help victims and their families.

4) How do you deal with disturbing crime scenes?

I always think in the professional way, I know is hard but I need to be a professional. Also after my work I do different activities, like watch movies, go to the gym, play rugby. Usually I do different activities to clean my mind.

5) What is your area of expertise in forensics?

Forensic Microanthropology, Forensic Anthropology, Crime Scene Investigation, and Bloodstain pattern Analysis, are my area of expertise, also I love to learn more about new areas like Forensic taphonomy and VOC.

6) What are your views about including Forensics in Legal Education?

I think this topics are related each other, the legal education need have some of the basic principles of forensic sciences and Forensic Sciences students and professionals need to learn about legal.

7) Being an International Forensic Expert, what are your observations about forensic evidences across the globe?

I learned that almost all countries have similar issues in forensic. The most common issues is lack of update knowledge in forensic, and that is one of the goals of TFS provide update knowledge in Forensic Science to all countries in the world.

8) Tell us about the most challenging cases you have come across in your career?

The two biggest forensic identification process I be part. The first one was in one hostel in 2007, this place was burned and 10 people (tourist) died, and I did the identification process with 100% of accuracy. The second was the earthquake and Tsunami in Chile in 2010, I identify 94 victims in this mass disaster. This this cases the challenging part was the pressure and the difficulty to work in this extreme environment.

9) What is the scope of Forensic Science in coming years?

I think the technology will play a great role to help us as a forensic scientist, but we cannot forget the technology is just a tool but the knowledge is the most important tool for us and that can not be replace by a machine.

10) How was your experience in TFS till now?

It’s a great experience, I travel a lot doing conferences, helping people and teaching. Its amazing!

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