Basic Forensics The Scene of the Crime

I. Forensic vocabulary A. Crime Scene: Physical location where a crime may have occurred. 1. Primary Crime Scene: Original location of the crime 2. Secondary Crime Scene: Alternate location where evidence may be found

B. Victim: Person harmed directly or indirectly by the crime C. Suspect: Person who may have committed the crime. D. Accomplice: Someone who aided in the commission, either before, during of after the crime.

E. Evidence: Information or items that are associated with a crime 1. Physical Evidence: Physical items found at the crime scene, on the victim or on the suspect. 2. Trace Evidence: Like physical evidence but found in very small amounts 3. Testimonial: oral or written statements made to the police.

II. Who’s at the Crime Scene? A. Police Officers: Secure the crime scene and detain suspects B. CSI: Documents the crime scene and collects physical and trace evidence

C. Detectives: Interview witnesses and follow up on leads D. Medical Examiner: May be present if a homicide is suspected. E. District Attorney: determines if search warrants are needed and obtains them from a judge.

F. Specialists: Called if the evidence requires expert knowledge Examples: 1. Forensic Entomologist 2. Forensic Anthropologists 3. Ballistics Expert