The Seven S’s of Crime Scene Investigation

I. Securing the Scene The first responding police officer secures the scene to preserve the evidence (rope, tape, barricades, guards, etc.) Lead investigator determines the boundaries of the scene and determines the perpetrator’s path of exit and entry.

II. Separating the Witnesses To prevent witnesses inadvertently constructing a story by exchanging information/viewpoints.

III. Scanning the Scene Identify the primary scene Identify the secondary scene Develop a strategy for systematically examining and documenting the entire scene.

IV. Seeing the Scene Photos, video- taken from different angles. Rulers are used to show the size of objects. Three methods used to record the crime scene are: 1) Field notes: either written or using a voice recorder. 2) Sketches 3) Photography/Video

V. Sketching the Scene The rough sketch is the initial sketch that accurately depicts the dimensions of the scene and the location of all objects. Distance measurements from 2 fixed points (walls, doors etc.) are included. Measurement must be accurate. Numbers are used to designate an item in the sketch.

VI. Searching For Evidence Using crime scene search patterns (grid, linear, quadrant/zone and spiral methods). Different methods are used for different sized scenes and number of people searching.

VII. Securing and Collecting Evidence Packaging Description Sealed Labeled Chain of Custody

Photography Photograph the area where the crime took place and all adjacent areas. Photograph points of entry and exit Photograph from various angles Indoors, photograph all walls and adjacent rooms Photograph the body, its position relative to the entire crime scene

Photography Close up to show wounds After body is removed, photograph the area under the body Place rulers or other measuring scales in the photo as a reference Videotape and voice recording can also be used