Hazards: -if it killed decedent-can it kill you? 1 st Officer on scene: Success of entire investigation often times depends on actions of first arriving officer on scene. Starting point for whole crime: where/who/what, etc. Physical evidence at scene is key to solution of the crime #1 task: Actions/inactions should not destroy/disturb evidence Boston PO and cigarette butts at scenes Do not rush into scene haphazardly Steps for 1 st officers: Recording times is very important in establishing PO credibility
2. Protect scene -onlookers, officers, command staff -primary/secondary perimeters LA started third to protect POs
Objectives: -reconstruct incident -ascertain sequence of events -determine mode of operation -uncover a motive -detect all activity that may have occurred -recover physical evidence Often thankless, not glamorous job Understand trace evidence: defined shortly -how left -where left -how to collect properly Few Absolute rules (test ?) -there are basic rules for every crime scene but do not expect same thing at similar calls Remain clam, flexible and adaptable Exam of scene -follow laws/protocols -search warrants may be needed (HPD will secure the house until warrant arrives) -Do not start until all teams members are present (detectives, CSA) -”2 heads are better than one” -the more eyes the better Team effort 3 conditions for success (test ?)
Stand at periphery as a team and look around-most often overlooked step in crime scene processing. People get charged up and just enter. Own up to it:Downtown casino story
-there is no I in team. Cause of death: what happened Manner of death (5) Firearms: Names used? Ballistics is incorrect term for how it is used Ballistics is the study of the flight characteristics of the bullet once it fired. Firearms examiner: matches particular weapon to bullets collected (test ?)
Crime scene investigators have a tremendous responsibility to maintain professionalism and ethics.
Juries are every day people who watch all of the forensic shows and expect tremendous scientific evidence to prove case. ID:
-Make contact with first arriving officer. -As CSI/CSA you’ll work under the direction of a detective since they are the primary person responsible for putting together the entire case. Note taking: Chronological order Date/time of incident (911 call) Event # Time of your arrival Who you contacted/spoke with Location of occurrence Scene description -type of building -location -lighting -evidence found/#/location -weather conditions -team members (roles) -victims (s) -who accessed scene prior to you -what touched/moved -where walked/exited/entered -all actions taken at scene 2. REVIEW SCENE/FORMULATE PLAN: Stand at periphery and take in whole scene. This is the most forgotten step in crime scene processing. Plan of action is formulated -with all parties involved -determine if need a warrant -safety issues -everyone has input -this is where disagreements are worked out prior to going into scene -decide on search pattern (s) -what evidence you expect to find (casings/blood/etc.) Roles clearly delineated prior to entering: -detective (primary) in charge -team leader (CSA supervisor) -note taker -photographer -evidence collector -Once all issues resolved and plan formulated-execute plan. 3. Photograph/Diagram scene to include a search for evidence. -mark each piece of evidence with a number/letter and leave in place -measurements include the boundary measurements -take measurements of items in the scene using perpendicular or triangulation methods (explained shortly)
Draw a diagram/sketch: -more than a note but less than a photograph -contain measurements of entire scene -Mark north on sketch -use a legend to match each piece of evidence 4. Collect evidence of a fragile nature first: Trace Blood Hair fibers Fingerprints Powders 5. Properly recover remaining evidence: -gun, casings -conduct secondary search to be sure nothing was overlooked.
6. Properly package evidence & tag with appropriate information. Packaging properly: Biological items -blood/clothes go into paper bags-plastic is never used as it causes breakdown of material -items must be packaged separately especially the vics/suspects Guns- packaged in rigidly fixed container Casings- soft cushioning material Syringes- appropriate plastic container Drugs -pill bottle/vials Charred items- paint cans are best Date.time What the evidence is Where collected from Who collected by Case # 7. Complete inventory of impounded evidence/maintain chain of custody. -# on evidence is entered onto inventory with description -evidence log/inventory goes with all evidence to locker -keep copy of inventory -
Photographs: -2 of every picture was rule with 35mm-never knew how pic would come out. -1 with and 1 without a scale -keep a running photo log so you know what pic is of OVERVIEWS/OVERALLS: -from farthest part of scene -CSA will start at front of house,move inn get address, apartment # in photo -move through doorway into scene MEDIUMS: Closer views CLOSE-UPS/UP-CLOSE: -close up of scene and items in scene -individual items in scene -body/hands/etc.
Line search pattern: Also called the strip Divided into N/S strips Walk parallel to each other Useful for teams Best used for outside scenes
Spiral search pattern: Start from outside and work inwards Useful with limited number of personnel Good for looking for large items
Zone search pattern: -the area (usually a room) is divided into equal sized zones -each zone is assigned to a searcher -useful for teams/less number of searchers -useful when trace evidence is a concern -once zone is searched everyone switches and searches over
Coordinate method of measurements: -usually inside-from wall to wall -two points
Triangulation Method: -usually outside -use three fixed/permanent objects/can be referred back to later
Each crime scene presents its own set of problems and conditions. Experience gained at previous scenes can be relied on but one case should not always guide how you handle another case.
![CRIME SCENE PROCESSING ,[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)