Crime Scene Administration and Management Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Response Team

Instructional Goal To provide the participant with an understanding of the fundamentals of crime scene management as it pertains to the collection and preservation of physical evidence.

Instructional Objectives The participant will be able to... Explain the steps for crime scene preparation Identify the purpose and operational structure of a Crime Scene Unit Describe the basic six team positions of a crime scene unit

Instructional Objectives Identify the stages involved in evaluating a crime scene List basic equipment required to process a crime scene Describe basic safety considerations Describe methods of controlling crime scene contamination

Importance of Physical Evidence Admissibility in court It doesn’t matter if you know who did it, if you can’t convince a jury

Q: Why is there a need to collect evidence correctly?

Three Types of Evidence Confessions Witnesses Physical Evidence

Potential Problems with Evidence Confessions The voluntary nature of the confession will be questioned Defense will claim it was coerced Miranda issues

Potential Problems with Evidence Witnesses Credibility Imperfect recollection Conflicting statements

Potential Problems with Evidence Physical Evidence Was it collected properly? Was it handled properly? Was it processed properly? You can control the first two

Two General Types of Physical Evidence Class Evidence That evidence which can be matched to a class of individuals… “consistent with” exemplars from victim or subject Hairs and fibers, trace Individual or Identifying Evidence That evidence that can be matched to a specific individual Fingerprints, DNA

Legality of a Search There is no crime scene exception to the 4th Amendment Once a scene is secure, exigent circumstances no longer exist Get a warrant Get consent

Advanced Preparation

Advanced Preparation Accumulate packaging and collection of materials necessary for typical crime scene. Prepare format for the paperwork needed to document the crime scene search

Advanced Preparation Ensure specialists are aware of the proper collection and documentation of evidence likely to be encountered. Before arrival, discuss the crime scene search with involved personnel. Before arrival, designate a person-in-charge and make preliminary personnel assignments.

Advanced Preparation Clothing Communication Lighting assistance Shelter Food and liquids Medical assistance Scene security Equipment & Supplies

Personnel Responsibilities

Team Leader Administrative log Narrative description Preliminary survey Scene security Final decision making

Photographer Takes the appropriate photographs Responsible for preparing photographic log Dictate to designated scribe

Sketch Preparer Draw the sketch Depict spatial relationships Documentation of items collected on sketch Match item #’s

Evidence Recorder Prepare the evidence log documents Function as the Evidence Custodian

Evidence Collectors Balance of team members Conduct search Collect and package evidence Make sure all items collected are photographed, located on sketch, and logged

Specialists Consider what specialists might be necessary to assist with the processing of the crime scene Specialists include pathologists, anthropologists, entomologists, botanists, geologists, fingerprint specialists, bomb technicians, engineers etc...

Important Considerations Prolonged searches Establish personnel requirements - shifts Multiple shifts that overlap Communications Ancillary services (e.g. medical examiner, DA, etc.) Organize a command post for major cases

Important Considerations Multi-jurisdictional events Establish liaison with other jurisdictions Develop memoranda of understanding Pool available resources Designate media / press coordination

11 Steps of Crime Scene Search

11 Step Process Approach the scene Secure and protect Initiate a preliminary survey Evaluate the physical evidence Prepare a narrative description Photograph the scene Prepare a sketch Conduct a detailed search Record and collect the physical evidence Conduct a final survey Release the crime scene

Approach Scene Be alert for all forms of physical evidence Make pertinent notes concerning observations Be in the frame of mind to take control Consider personal safety Consider all resources needed for processing the scene

Secure and Protect Scene Take aggressive control upon arrival Determine the extent of the scene protection upon arrival Check for adequate scene security Obtain all information possible regarding the original condition of the crime scene Appoint one individual as person-in-charge

Secure and Protect Scene Person-in-charge has final decision and resolution making authority Take extensive notes - do not rely on your memory (or others’) Record all entries and exits from the scene Name Department Reason for entering Keep unauthorized personnel out

Initiate Preliminary Survey Organizational stage to plan search: Initial cautious walk through of the scene Identify the extent of the search area - may require expanding initial perimeter Organize the methods and procedures needed to process the scene Determine manpower and equipment needs Make personnel assignments

Preliminary Survey Identify and protect all transient physical evidence Develop a general theory of the crime Make extensive notes to document physical and environmental conditions, assignments, and movements of personnel

Evaluate Physical Evidence Evaluation begins upon arrival at the scene Becomes more detailed in preliminary survey stage Concentrate on the most transient evidence first and work towards least transient Insure you have appropriate packaging material for evidence to be collected

Narrative Description Narrative is a running general description of the condition of the crime scene Present an overall general to specific description of crime scene Note items that catch your attention Methods of narrative can be: Audio Written Video

Crime Scene Photography Purpose: Record Original Scene & Conditions Document Appearance of Evidence Capture Permanent Record Admissibility Issues: Photo must be relevant Non-prejudicial Distortion-free Accurate representation

Scene Photography Photograph the scene as soon as possible Use Photo Log for documentation Utilize various views of the scene Overall Medium Close-up (with and without scale) Photograph all evidence prior to collection

Scene Photography Photograph the scene completely to include: Points of entry/exit Surrounding area/neighborhood Take photographs at eye level Photographs supplement sketches and notes - they do not stand alone FILM IS CHEAP! Use it!

Homicide Photography Use Color Film Body w/ 5 Angles Close-up of Obvious Wounds Weapons Trace Evidence Signs of Prior Activity Evidence of Struggle Witness Perspective Shots Autopsy

Scene Photography DOs and DON’Ts Do take your time Doing more is better than less Don’t Reposition Evidence Don’t destroy in the process

Diagram/Sketch Permanent record of items, establishes distance/size and their spatial relationships Rough sketch may be drawn at scene - never to scale. Retain in file Final sketch in office/lab Can be to scale May utilize personnel with drafting or computer skills

Diagram/Sketch Administrative Information to include: Location Date Case number/name Preparer’s name Scale North arrow Key

Diagram/Sketch Should Depict Features Buildings Furniture Plants Items of evidence Numbers or letters Measurements In adjacent table

Record and Collect Physical Evidence Locate evidence Record evidence Collect evidence Package evidence

Locate Physical Evidence In open areas, consider using specialized search patterns: Line Grid Spiral Be sure to address areas above and below normal eye level

Strip or Line Search Lanes must be established Overlap to ensure full coverage Lane width should be manageable Multiple personnel on line within a lane, require extra discipline

Spiral Start at center and spiral out May have advantages if working alone Difficult to manage

Grid A B C D 1 2 3 4

Locate /Collect Physical Evidence Consider specialized forensic techniques Latent fingerprits Hairs and fibers Trace evidence Blood and bodily fluids Toolmarks Impressions

Latent Fingerprints Latent fingerprints are a marvelous tool for solving crimes, but they have limitations: Liftability Identifiability Matchabiliy

Latent Fingerprints Liftability The fact that one can locate and develop a latent fingerprint at the scene does not mean that print can be lifted Surface characteristics Photograph before lifting!

Latent Fingerprints Identifiability The fact that one can locate and see a latent fingerprint does not mean that it contains identifiable finger ridge detail

Latent Fingerprints Matchability The fact that one can locate, develop and lift a good latent fingerprint does not mean that it can be matched to a subject or victim Can’t lways submit a partial print to AFIS and get a match Must first develop a suspect through other investigative means Then attempt to match latent to his/her prints

Trace/Hairs & Fibers Edmund Locard’s Transference Theory: “When any two objects come in contact there is always a transfer of material from each object on to the other”

Two Types of Transfer: Direct Transfer Indirect Transfer Victim to Suspect Suspect to Victim Indirect Transfer Suspect to suspect’s car to victim

Blood Evidence Bloodstain pattern analysis Establishes what happened Blood collection and analysis Blood typing and DNA Establishes who was bleeding

Record and Collect Physical Evidence Photograph all items before collection Record in the Photography Log Use scale, when necessary Mark evidence locations in diagram/sketch Complete the Evidence Log

Record and Collect Physical Evidence Have at least two persons: Observe the evidence in place before collection Observe the evidence being collected Select the proper packaging material Mark the evidence directly or Mark the evidence containers for identification

Record and Collect Physical Evidence If feasible… Have one person as Evidence Custodian Seal the evidence containers at the scene Obtain control samples, where needed Check all logs and evidence for accuracy

Evidence Packaging General Rules For latent fingerprints: Porous material goes in paper packaging Non-porous material goes in plastic Secure so it doesn’t move Blood and bodily fluid evidence: Porous packaging NEVER in plastic! Dry before packaging

Record and Collect Physical Evidence Four basic premises to consider: The best search options are usually the most difficult and time-consuming You cannot over-document the physical evidence collected There is only ONE CHANCE TO DO IT RIGHT! Start your search out CAUTIOUSLY and finish VIGOROUSLY

Conduct Final Survey Critical review of all aspects of the search Discuss the search jointly with all personnel for completeness Double check documentation to detect inadvertent errors or omissions Take exit photographs Ensure all evidence is accounted for and the scene is secure before departing

Conduct Final Survey Insure you have all of your equipment prior to departing Make sure that nothing has been overlooked Before you leave the scene, make sure you have collected everything you could to help solve the case Only one chance to do it right!

Release the Crime Scene Release only after final survey is complete Document the Time/Date of release To/By whom scene was released Insure appropriate receipts and inventory have been provided as necessary Once you have released scene, reentry may require getting a warrant

Release the Crime Scene Before you release the scene…. Insure you have utilized all appropriate resources such as bloodstain pattern analyst, bomb technicians, forensic anthropologist, behavioral scientist, etc. to review the scene.

Safety Considerations Ensure personnel have personal protective equipment Treat all blood and body fluids as infectious View crime scene as source of contamination Never place hands where you can’t see Do not eat, drink, or smoke at crime scene

Safety Considerations Ensure crime scene personnel have protection from environmental elements Beware of blood borne pathogens Place sharps in appropriate containers Beware of secondary devices in bombing cases

Crime Scene Contamination Control Techniques Don‘t touch face with contaminated gloves Double glove and change gloves frequently Use shoe covers and remove when you leave crime scene Avoid using same personnel to search crime scene and subject’s car or home If you decide to use same personnel, ensure their clothing and shoes are changed

Crime Scene Contamination Control Techniques Collect all trash generated by crime scene team Do not wear jewelry at crime scene Do not smoke at scene Use face masks and eye protection when dealing with body fluids