CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

(Based PPT Reviewer)

CRIME SCENE VOCABULARY

MAJOR CRIME SCENE DUTIES /
Crime Scene - Any physical location which a crime has RESPONSIBILITIES
occurred or is suspected of having occurred.
 Protecting the crime scene.
Primary Crime Scene- The original location of a crime or
 Ensure your safety and the safety of others.
accident.
 Securing the scene so no evidence is destroyed.
Secondary Crime Scene- An alternate where additional
evidence may be found.  Check the condition of the victim and render first aid if
required.
Suspect- Person thought to be capable of committing a crime.
 Ensure proper ventilation if required.

CRIME SCENE  Search confined spaces with a flashlight and/or mirrors prior
to inserting the hands.

Step 1: Interview the first step in investigating a crime  Handle all blood, body fluids, and tissues as if they contain
scene to interview the first officer at the scene to determine blood borne Pathogens (e.g. hepatitis, HIV, etc.)
what allegedly happened, what crime took place, and how was
the crime committed.  Use gloves, protective clothing and other universal safety
precautions when there may be contact with blood or other
Step 2: Examine the second step which will help identify potentially infections material.
possible evidence, identify the point of entry and point of exit,
outline the general layout of the crime scene.  Surgical caps, protective clothing, face masks, eye protection,
shoe cover, gloves, and boots should be worn in instances
Step 3: Document the third step the protocol involves when contamination is anticipated.
creating a pictorial record of the scene as well rough sketch to
demonstrate the layout of the exact position of the deceased  The common routes of exposure are inhalation, ingestion, skin,
victim or evidence. eye and mucous membrane contact. Protect these parts of
your body.
Step 4: Process the last step the technician process the
 Change gloves when they are contaminated or prior to
crime scene for evidence, both physical and testimonial evidence,
handling additional evidence.
the technician responsibility to identify, evaluate, collect physical
evidence from the cs for further analysis by the crime laboratory.
 Do not touch or remove any suspected explosive device. a
bomb technician should be called to the scene to check for
safety.
CRIME SCENE PERSONNEL
PHOTOGRAPH THE SCENE
Police Officer are typically the first to arrive at the cs,
Responsible for securing the scene no evidence is destroyed.  Ensure that a progression of overall, mid-range, and close-up
views of the scene is established.
CSI Unit documents the scene in detail and collects physical
evidence.  Use a scale device for size determination.

District Attorney is often present to help determine if  Photograph evidence in place before collection.
any search warrants are required to proceed and Obtain those
warrants from a judge.  Photograph areas, adjacent to the crime scene- points of
entry, exits windows, as well as the perimeter.
Specialist (forensic entomologists, anthropologist, or
psychologist) may be called in if the evidence requires expert  Film is cheap so do not hesitate to photograph something
analysis. digital photography is cheaper to have no apparent
significance at the time may later prove to be a key element
to the investigation.
Medical Examiner may or may not present to determine
A preliminary cause of death.

Detectives interview witnesses and consult with CSI Unit. DIAGRAM / SKETCH THE SCENE

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION UNIT SCENE  Diagram supplement photographs.

OFFERED
 A rough sketch is drawn at the scene and is normally not to
1) Evidence identification, documentation, preservation and scale.
collection
2) Crime Scene Photography  A sketch that is used to create a future scaled diagram must
3) Bullet trajectory determinations include all relevant measurements (e.g. dimensions of the
4) Blood spatter analysis room, measurement to all evidence from two independent
5) Locating occult blood points, heights of objects/evidence for a 3D computerized
6) Alternate light source processing rendition of the scene etc).
7) Impression enhancement, casting or lifting (e.g. shoe, or tire)
8) Metal Detection  Include on the sketch the location date, time, case identifier,
9) Crime scene reconstruction prepare weather condition scale or scale disclaimer compass
10) Latent print processing orientation evidence measurements, key or legend.
  Note general conditions of victim if applicable
CONDUCT A DETAILED SEARCH
 Position of body
 Apparent wounds present
 Clothing
Spiral Search: When this crime  Personal belongings
scene method is used, the analyst
 Note observable evidence
will start the search at a selected
point at the edge of the scene. The  (e.g. weapons, bloodstain patterns, attempts to modify scene,
analyst will walk in a circular etc.)
pattern to the center of the scene.
This search is effective in a small
areas. RECORD AND COLLECT PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
Strip (lane) Search: when  Photograph all items I place before collection, with and
this crime scene method is used, without a scale.
the analyst will start at the
 One person act as an evidence custodian. This individual will
southeast corner of the area collect, package, and record all evidence.
The analyst will walk north in a
 Focus first on the evidence that could be readily lost (e.g.
straight line. This search works
loose fivers and hairs) and leave the least transient evidence
well when there is a large area.
for the last.

 Ensure collection and packaging is sufficient and appropriate

Zone or Grid Search: for the evidence.
When this crime scene
method us used, the  Evidence containing blood or other biological fluids should be
analyst will divide the scene completely air-dried before its packaged and submitted to the
laboratory.
to be searched into a
quadrants. This method  Evidence contaminated with wet blood or potentially infectious
works well with large areas materials should be secured and transported immediately to
to be searched. laboratory.

 Mark and labeling evidence packaging.

Point to point Search:  Be careful not to destroy, contaminate, or obscure forensically

When this crime scene search important detail on the evidence.
method is used, the analyst
will go to the first piece of  Obtain the appropriate controls.
evidence process it, then go to
the next apparent piece of
evidence. this search method POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS
works well in small or confined
areas.
 Full body photographs of victim as delivered to the
postmortem examination. That, before and after clean up.

 Mid-range and close-up photographs of exterior wounds

and/or identifying marks (e.g. tattoos) with and without a
Logical Association: this method is most used by investigators scale.
but requires patient thought, experience, and instinct. This method
is frequently combined with one of the above listed search  Photographs any body parts or evidence requested by the
techniques. Medical Examiner (e.g. bullets, bullet tracks, etc.)

DOCUMENTAION OF SCENE IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE FOLLOWING

EVIDENCE BE COLLECTED DURING A
POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION
 An important responsibility of the crime scene investigator is
note taking.

 Blood standard collect at least one lavender/purple

 Through note taking commits any observations to writing. stoppered tube for a DNA standard.

 A detailed record is created of what was seen and what

processes/search were performed, and it provides a basis for  Blood sample for blood toxic agents determination. Collect at
the investigator’s future recollection of the scene. lest one gray stoppered tube.

 Crime scene notes should be clear, legible, detailed, and  Urine sample
should be taken in chronological order.
 Head hair standard. This should be pulled not cut.

 Note following conditions:  Fingernail scrapings.

 Doors locked/unlocked, open/closed  Clothing, one item per bag. Evidence items located in or on
 Lights on/off the body.
 Windows open/closed
 Shades up/down  Finger and palm prints (for elimination print purposes and
 Temperature and weather conditions identification).
 Odors 
 Allow any swabs to air-dry and then package each sample
type separately into paper envelopes.
 CONDUCT FINAL SURVEY

 Discuss the search jointly with all team members for

 completeness.

 Check to ensure all evidence, including film, is

accounted for before departing scene.

 Make sure any possible hiding places or difficult access

areas have not been overlooked during search.

 Check to ensure all equipment is accounted before

departing scene.

INVESTIGATING THE EVIDENCE (PROCESSING)

 Drug Chemistry- determines the presence of controlled

substances and the identification of drugs or toxic agents.

 Trace Chemistry- identification and comparison of

materials from fires, explosions, paints, and glass.

 Microscopy- microscopic identification and comparison of

evidence, such as hairs, fibers, woods, soils, building
materials and other materials.

 Ballistics (Firearms)- study bullets and ammunition

through the comparison fired bullets, cartridges, guns and
gunpowder patterns on people and objects.

 Tool marks- examines marks left by tools on objects at a

crime scene or on a victim, such as 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.

 Biology/DNA analysis of body fluids and dried stains such

as blood semen, and saliva.

 Toxicology- test body fluids and tissues to determine the

presence of drugs and poisons.

 Latent prints- identification and comparison of fingerprints

or other hidden impression from sources like feet, shoes, ears,
lips, or the tread on vehicle tires.