Crime Scene Basics STEM Forensics

What is a Crime Scene? Any physical location in which CRIME has occurred or is SUSPECTED of having occured

Two types of Crime Scene: Primary Crime Scene- The ORIGINAL location of a crime or accident. Secondary Crime Scene- An ALTERNATE location where ADDITIONAL evidence may be found.

Who did it??? Suspect- The Person thought to be CAPABLE of COMMITTING a crime. Accomplice- the SECOND PERSON associated with committing a crime

Alibi Statement of where a suspect was at the time of a crime

Testimonial Evidence Any WITNESSED accounts of an incident or crime

Physical Evidence Any MATERIAL ITEMS that are present at the crime scene or on the victims

Trace Evidence Found at a crime scene in SMALL but MEASURABLE amounts

What else can evidence do to help us? Prove that a crime was committed Give us an idea of what happened Give us an idea of what to do next Link a suspect to the crime scene or victim Figure out WHO the suspect is Figure out WHO is innocent

Police Officers They are usually first to arrive at a crime scene. They are responsible for SECURING the scene so that no EVIDENCE is destroyed. They also DETAIN persons of interest in the crime

CSI unit They DOCUMENT the crime scene in detain and COLLECT any physical evidence

District Attorney Often there to help determine if any SEARCH WARRANTS are required to proceed and obtains those warrants from a judge.

Medical Examiner If there is a homicide (murder), they may be present to determine what the CAUSE of DEATH was.

Specialists Includes any kind of special forensics expert. May be called in if EVIDENCE requires expert analysis.

Detectives INTERVIEW witnesses and CONSULT with the CSI unit. They investigate the crime by following leads provided by witnesses and physical evidence

Protocol- What are the steps of dealing with a crime scene? Interview- Ask those around/victims/officers how much they know already about the crime Examine the evidence/crime scene Document the scene- take pictures, draw pictures, write down what you see Process- collecting and analyzing evidence