Crime SceneRobbie Scott, Mary McAllister, Taylor Price

Zaire Smith, Breyanna Williams

Procedures

The first officer to arrive at the scene of a crime is responsible for:◦ securing crime scene◦ providing medical assistance◦ arresting any perpetrators◦ excluding any unauthorized people from the

scene

First Officer on Scene1

Scene should be completely recorded before anything is moved

Scene can (and should) be recorded through◦ photography◦ sketching◦ notes

Recording the Scene2

overviews close-ups

◦ rulers should be held next to items whose sizes must be recorded

Photography

rough sketch◦ at scene◦ distances and positions of items

finished sketch◦ precise◦ drawn to scale

Sketching

detailed description of scene location, time, and by whom an item was

discovered how items are packaged log of items discovered

Notes

set boundaries around scene establish entry and exit of perpetrator establish strategy for the examination of

the scene

Preliminary Exam of Scene3

thorough and systematic◦ depends on size of scene and locale

investigator must not overlook any evidence, regardless of size or relation to crime

items at scene must be sent to lab for processing and testing

Searching the Scene4

each item must be packaged separately forceps and other tools must be used to pick

up items gloves MUST be worn at all times to prevent

contamination of evidence pill bottles and manila folders can be used to

store trace evidence manila envelopes, paper bags, or wrapping

paper must be used to store any bloodstained evidence to prevent the growth of mold

Packaging Evidence

any items found at the scene must be sent to the lab for testing

items can include◦ clothing◦ fingernail scrapings◦ hairs and fibers◦ blood◦ swabs (in sex related crimes)◦ bullets and casings

the body (with permission from the family) must also be sent to the morgue for an autopsy in search of any other evidence on the body

Processing Evidence5

must be established whenever evidence changes possession

log must be kept for a record of who has the evidence and where it is located

when evidence is not being tested or used, it must be kept in storage

Chain of Custody

reference samples (hair, blood, saliva, etc.) must be collected from anyone found at scene to eliminate suspects

reference samples of solids and liquids located nearby should be collected as well

Obtaining Reference Samples

6

Personnel at the Crime Scene

Team Leader Photographer and Photographic log recorder Sketch Preparer Evidence Recorder/ Evidence Recovery

personnel Specialists

Major Assignments

Assume Control- make sure the crime scene is secure and that they use appropriate protection at the scene

Conduct Initial Walkthrough- preliminary survey Designate assignments for team members Create a command post location Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies Make sure there is the right supplies and equipment

available to team members Control the access to the crime scene Make sure everyone is on task Release the scene after a final survey

Team Leader

Photograph the entire area Photograph victims, crowd, and people Photograph all evidence Photograph all fingerprints and impressions Prepare photographic log and sketch

Photographer and Photographic log recorder

Diagram the crime scene Create labels for evidence Sketch evidence Provide any assistance if needed

Sketch Preparer

Describe evidence and its surroundings Sign and date evidence container Store evidence properly Use protective equipment when in contact

with evidence

Evidence Recorder/ Evidence Recovery personnel

Expertise outside the AgencyEx:

-Anthropologist -Blood Pattern Analyst -Bomb Technician -Criminalist -Engineer -Entomologist -Medical Examiner -Odontologist-Surveyor

Specialists

http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/respon2.html

http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi

Sources

Supplies

First Responding Officer Supplies*All items must be kept safe and readily available during investigation: Bindle paper Biohazard bags Consent/search forms Crime scene barricade

tape First-aid kit Flares Flashlight and extra

batteries

Markers (business cards, chalk, spray paint or some other marker to place by noted evidence items)

Notebook Paper bags Personal protective

equipment (gloves, booties, hair covering, overalls and mask).

Crime Scene Personnel Supplies*All items must be kept safe and readily available during investigation: Bindle paper. Biohazard bags. Bodily fluid collection kit (sterile

swabs, distilled water, — optional presumptive tests and sterile packaging that allows the swabs to air dry).

Camera (plus memory cards, back up battery, remote flash, tripod and remote cord).

Evidence seals/tape. Flashlight(s) with extra batteries. Footwear casting materials. Graph paper and pencils, small ruler

or straight edge. Latent print kit.

Measuring devices (e.g, measuring wheel, tape measures of varying lengths).

Multifunction utility tool. Notebook. Paper bags (various sizes). Permanent markers. Personal protective equipment

(e.g., gloves, booties, hair covering, overalls and mask).

Placards. Plastic resealable bags (various

sizes) Scales for photography. Spray paint, chalk, etc. Syringe/knife tubes. Tweezers(disposable).

Audio recorder Biohazard labels Bloodstain pattern examination kit Business cards Backup camera Chalk Chemical enhancement supplies Cutting instruments (knives, box cutter, scalpel,

scissors) Directional marker/compass Disinfectant Distilled water Entomology (insect) collection kit Evidence collection containers (e.g., jars, paper

bags, resealable plastic bags, metal paint style cans)

Evidence identifiers [opens in pop-up window] Evidence seals/tape Extension cords Fingerprint ink pad and pint cards for elimination

prints Flags (surveyor type) for marking evidence and

setting up search patterns Forensic light source (alternate light source, UV

lamp/laser, goggles) Generator Gunshot residue kit High-intensity lights Labels Laser trajectory kit Magnifying glass

Maps Marker stickers such as numbers, letters, arrows,

scales Marking paint/snow wax Metal detector Mirror Nail clippers and orange peeler (for collecting

debris under suspect fingernails) Phone listing (important numbers) Pocket knife Presumptive blood test supplies Privacy screens Protrusion rod set Rakes Razor blades or knife (knife must have blades that

can be broken off after each use) Reflective vest Refrigeration or cooling unit Respirators with filters Roll of string Rubber bands Screen sifters Sexual assault evidence collection kit (for victim

and suspect) Shoe print lifting equipment Tarps to protect evidence from the weather Templates (scene and human) Thermometer Tool kit Traffic cones Trajectory rods Waterless hand wash (towelette with germicide)

Optional Items

Example Evidence Collection Kits

Blood Collection Kit Bloodstain Pattern Documentation Kit

Bindle. Coin envelopes. Disposable scalpels. Distilled water. Ethanol. Evidence identifiers. Latex gloves. Photographic ruler (ABFO

scales). Presumptive chemicals. Sterile gauze. Sterile swabs. Test tubes/test tube rack.

ABFO scales. Calculator. Laser pointer. Permanent markers. Protractor. String. Tape.

Evidence Collection Kits Continued

Excavation Kit Fingerprint Kit

Cones/markers. Evidence identifiers. Metal detectors. Paintbrushes. Shovels/trowels. Sifting screens. String. Weights. Wooden/metal stakes.

Black and white film. Brushes. Chemical enhancement

supplies. Cyanoacrylate (super glue)

wand/packets. Flashlight. Forensic light source. Lift cards. Lift tape. Measurement scales. One-to-one camera. Powders.

Evidence Collection Kits Continued

Impression Kit Pattern Print Lifter Kit

Impression Bowls/mixing

containers. Boxes. Dental stone (die stone). Evidence identifiers. Measurement scales. Permanent markers. Snow print wax. Water.

Casting materials (casting material, distilled water if needed for casting material, casting frames, mixing bowl if needed for casting material, polymer type casting material with various size spreader tips.)

Chemical enhancement supplies.

Electrostatic dust lifter. Gel lifter. Wide format lift tape.

Evidence Collection Kits Continued

Trace Evidence Collection Kit

Trajectory Kit

Acetate sheet protectors. Bindle paper. Clear tape/adhesive lift. Electrostatic dust lifter. Flashlight (oblique lighting). Forceps/tweezers. Glass vials. Slides and slide mailers. Trace evidence vacuum

with disposable collection filters.

Calculator. Canned smoke. Dummy. Laser. Mirror. Protractor. String. Trajectory rods.

Vocabulary

Crime scene: Any physical location in which a crime has occurred or is suspected of having occurred.

Primary crime scene: The original location of a crime or accident.

Secondary crime scene: An alternate location where additional evidence may be found.

Suspect: Person thought to be capable of committing a crime.

Accomplice: Person associated with someone suspected of committing a crime.

Alibi: Statement of where a person was at the time the crime was committed.

Testimonial evidence: includes oral or written statements given to police as well as court testimony by people who witnessed an event.

Physical evidence: refers to any material items that would be present at the crime scene, on the victims, or found in a suspect’s possession.

Trace evidence: refers to physical evidence that is found in small but measurable amounts, such as strands of hair, fibers, or skin cells.

Drug Chemistry: Determines the presence of controlled substances and the identification of marijuana

Microscopy: Microscopic identification and comparison of evidence, such as hairs, fibers, woods, soils, building materials, insulation and other materials.

Biology/DNA: Analysis of body fluids and dried stains such as blood, semen, and saliva.

Toxicology: Tests body fluids and tissues to determine the presence of drugs and poisons.

Latent Prints: Identification and comparison of fingerprints or other hidden impressions from sources like feet, shoes, ears, lips or the tread on vehicle tires.

Ballistics (Firearms): Study of bullets and ammunition through the comparison of fired bullets, cartridges, guns, and gunpowder patterns on people and objects.

Toolmarks: Examines marks left by tools on objects at a crime scene or on a victim, such as a hammer used to break a door or a screwdriver used to pick a lock.

Questioned Documents: Examination of documents to compare handwriting, ink, paper, writing instruments, printers, and other characteristics that would help to identify its origin.

Trace Chemistry: Identification and comparison of materials from fires, explosions, paints, and glass.

http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/mri/science.cfm?subpage=803236

http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/investigations/crime-scene/guides/equipment-csi.htm

Works Cited