The ‘Forensic Awareness’ Directive

As a covert operative, the ability to remain undetected hinges on understanding and mitigating the traces one might leave behind. This mindset focuses on minimizing forensic evidence, ensuring actions leave as little trace as possible.

Forensics involves the application of scientific methods to identify suspects and solve crimes. In the context of covert operations, it pertains to the study of how traces left by individuals can be used to identify and track them. This includes fingerprints, DNA, footprints, and other forms of physical and digital evidence.

Understanding forensics goes beyond just knowing the science; it involves recognizing how forensic evidence is collected, analyzed, and interpreted by investigators. For example, operatives must grasp the capabilities and limitations of forensic labs, the types of evidence prioritized, and the common methods used to link suspects to crimes.

This knowledge allows operatives to anticipate how their actions might be scrutinized and develop countermeasures accordingly.