Thame Forensic Officer Gains Award

ONE of Thames Valley Police’S most experienced and senior Scenes of Crime Officers was honoured on Friday March 10, by the three High Sheriffs of Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Karen Smith, the acting Forensic Services Manager, based at Thame, has been awarded the Shrievalty Merit Individual Award for her work investigating crime scenes including many high-profile murder enquiries during 2005.

Nominated for the award by the Chief Constable, her citation reads: ?Karen has demonstrated the ability to balance the needs of the case with the welfare of staff and has shown great empathy and consideration for the families of the victims.
?Karen is highly respected for her skills, professionalism and hard work.
?In addition, she has also devised the Forensic Unit response to the Safer Homes initiative and introduced systems which increased burglary scene attendance and which resulted in a quicker and more effective process for the submission of forensic evidence.?

Karen, who has been with Thames Valley Police since 1988, said: ?I am absolutely delighted to receive this award and pleased that my work has been recognised in this way.
?The award covers a particularly busy period for major crimes combined with the implementation of the Safer Homes campaign.
?I therefore hope that this award will reflect on my colleagues in the Forensic Investigation Unit without whom we would not have been able to achieve such notable results.?

Acting Chief Constable Sara Thornton said: ?The Shrievalty Award is very prestigious and the individual award in particular highlights exceptional work over a long period of time.
?Karen Smith?s award is very well deserved. Her role is a vitally important side of policing the public does not often see.
?Her work has helped catch criminals using the latest methods and brings them to justice.”