Crime Scene Documentation Denise Scribner Forensic Crime Science Eisenhower High School, USD #265

Purpose of a Crime Scene Search The primary purpose of a crime scene search is to develop associative evidence that could link a suspect to the scene or a victim to answer questions crucial to the investigation, such as who perpetrated the crime, how the crime was committed, the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime, why the crime was committed.

Additional reasons police search crime scenes to identify evidence through which a psychological profile of the suspect can be developed to identify an object(s) that does not logically belong at the crime scene and that could potentially be linked to a suspect to identify the suspect’s modus operandi (MO), or motive for committing the crime. It is important to note that although these principles apply to all crime scenes, more specific tasks may be undertaken, depending on what type of crime has been committed

Remember LOCARD’S EXCHANGE PRINCIPLE Whenever two objects come into contact, a mutual exchange of matter will take place between them.

Equipment Used Cameras (digital and film) Sketchpad Graph paper Different types of film Different lenses Flashes Filters Tripod Sketchpad Graph paper Measuring tape Notepad

FIRST RESPONDERS Assist the victim Search for / arrest suspect Detain witnesses / keep separate PROTECT CRIME SCENE / LOG DO NOT SMOKE, DRINK OR EAT Infect self Contaminate scene Communicate all information to detectives

The Process Crime Scene First Officer Attending Crime Scene Preservation Crime Scene Processing Recording the Crime Recovery of Physical Evidence Packaging the Physical Evidence (Bag and Tag)

APPROACH THE SCENE

Upon Arrival at the scene Check with officer at the scene—is it safe to proceed? Begin your field notes by asking the officer at the scene: Their name and rank Exact address of crime scene Details known to date (e.g. number of victims/assaulters, EMS disturbed scene?

Conduct a Primary Walk Though Tape off and secure the crime scene if not already done so Look for any weapons that may have live rounds or items like backpacks that could be booby trapped or contain weapons immediately—clear any live rounds Walk through and assess with team how to prioritize documentation

Determining the boundary of the crime scene is critical. Numerous factors affect boundary determination whether the crime scene has more than one location whether the crime scene is indoor or outdoor. Crime scenes may be categorized into primary and secondary, though secondary crime scenes do not always exist when the crime occurred in only one area. Typically when a crime scene is inside a physical structure (indoors), boundaries are restricted and more easily identifiable. In contrast, with an outdoor crime scene, determining accurate boundaries is more challenging.

Upon Arrival at the scene Check with officer at the scene—is it safe to proceed? Begin your field notes by asking the officer at the scene: Their name and rank Exact address of crime scene Details known to date (e.g. number of victims/assaulters, EMS disturbed scene?

crime scenes are divided into inner and outer perimeters, with the inner perimeter being where the actual crime took place and the outer perimeter being the boundary for maintaining control of the crime scene ( Choosing a search pattern is critical and depends on the locale, size of the area, and the apparent actions of the suspect, victim, and any others having access to the scene, that is, The number of personnel available also affects the type of search, with some methods requiring more personnel than others

Crime Scene Documentation: Occurs during the second walk-through Follows same path as first walk-through These jobs can be shared if more than one CSI is present. Begin your sketching with photography( both mid-range and individual), keep field log of which photos goes with sketch

CRIME SCENE PROCEDURES SURVEY SCENE Minimize contact by ALL personnel Use Personal Protective Equipment Note evidence Protect evidence that may be lost Note weather conditions Use alternate entry Record EVERYTHING

Types of Searches Elevation zone search Overlapping Zone Search

Search Patterns Pie Wheel Strip Search Grid Search Other type of strip/grid seach Spiral Search quadrant/zone

Sketching and Measurements

Video: how to process a crime scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur1GxXZGnNI

NARRATIVE: DESCRIPTION OF THE SCENE

Note-taking at the Scene Uses scientific observation Make only factual observations. Make no assumptions; form no opinions. “blood spreading outward from underside of corpse” vs. “large, brownish-red fluid spreading outward from underside of corpse”

PHOTOGRAPH THE SCENE

Photographs Take pics of everything BEFORE anything is touched or moved. BEFORE MOVING EVIDENCE SYSTEMATIC OVERVIEW MIDRANGE CLOSE-UP LOG / CAMERA SETTINGS SCALE Even the corpse is not touched until it and the surrounding area have been photographed. 3 types of photos taken: Overviews Mid-views Close-ups

Crime Scene Photographs

Overview Shots The widest possible views of the entire scene Views of ALL rooms with photos from each corner and overhead Views of the outside of the building, including all entrances and exits Views of the building in relation to other structures Photos of any spectators at the scene (???)

Mid-range Photos To show key pieces of evidence in their original context Location in the room Distance from other pieces of evidence

Close-ups Individual pieces of evidence to show details and serial numbers Second set of evidence pieces with a ruler for scale Every photo is included in a photo log.

Photo Log Includes: Photograph number Description of the object or scene in the photograph Location of object or scene Time and date of photo

Sketches Shows exact locations of evidence and how each piece relates to the rest of the scene Includes details like door heights, room size, distance from door to windows, diameter of hole in wall above victim’s body Angle measurements

CRIME SCENE DOCUMENTATION SKETCHES Assign measurements to objects Triangulation Baseline Polar Coordinates Rough / finished Legend

Rough Sketch

EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE

COLLECTION & PRESERVATION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE One CSI in charge Priority to easily destroyed evidence Primary packaging Contain and protect Secondary packaging Seal and tamper resistant INITIAL / DATE / TIME Identity of item enclosed

Determine best type of storage container Glass container with lid Plastic bag Paper sack Evidence bundle

Evidence Bindles

COLLECTION & PRESERVATION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE Each item separate Wet items Temporary in plastic Air Dry Permanent in paper Arson evidence – air tight containers Controls

Legal Issues Property is held in Police Custody for 4 Reasons: Purse Legal Issues Cash Property is held in Police Custody for 4 Reasons: The investigation of a crime Recovery of lost or stolen items Safekeeping and return to owner Abandonment by the owner Guns Coat Fiber Drug

Evidence Evidence is property that has significance as a means of determining the truth as an alleged matter of fact.

PROPERTY Property is everything that is subject to ownership, not coming under the denomination of real property. Police custody of property implies a responsibility on the part of the police agency, to care, preserve, and secure the property while it is under our control. Possession of property gives the police agency only temporary rights to that property.

A finder may claim finders rights FOUND PROPERTY Most found property is non- evidentiary. Found property is held for 30 up to 60 days or until ownership can be determined. All non-evidence must be authorized for release when booked. A finder may claim finders rights for any unclaimed property which is not contraband or potentially dangerous in nature.

Chain of Custody chain of custody, which means ”continuity of possession All personnel who have handled the evidence must have maintained its integrity and provided no means through which the evidence could have been altered. When evidence is finally presented in court, if the chain of custody cannot be established, then the evidence will probably not be allowed to support the prosecution’s case.

Maintaining the Chain of Custody The number of persons handling evidence from the time it is secured should be limited. Individuals who handle the evidence should affix their names and badge numbers on the seals to the package containing the evidence and the chain of custody sign in and out form/log.

Record time and who left a crime scene and then re-entered in your field notes

Legal Requirements The property control system must meet all legal requirements. These include federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. These statutes and ordinances very often dictate the methods and procedures for handling, storage and disposal of property.

COLLECTION, RECORDING, MARKING AND PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE What constitutes a seal? Initials on article or container Description of contents Paper is our friend! Evidence Bindle

PROCESS THE SCENE FOR LATENT PRINTS AND COLLECT ANY PRINTS DEVELOPED

CRIME SCENE RECONSTRUCTION Data Collection Conjecture Hypothesis Formulation Testing Theory

STOP AND THINK OF ANYTHING FURTHER THAT MIGHT BE COLLECTED. FINAL SURVEY!!! STOP AND THINK OF ANYTHING FURTHER THAT MIGHT BE COLLECTED.

RELEASE OF THE CRIME SCENE for clean up crew

Cleaning up crime scenes – somebody has to do it

Policies and Procedures for booking are available for reference in the work area.

Property Technicians will assist you with property booking questions.

Incorrectly booked property will be held in the locker for you until you respond to make corrections.

V. PACKAGING AND HANDLING OF EVIDENCE A. EVIDENCE ASSOCIATED WITH ANY CRIME CAN BE SO VARIED IN TYPE, PHYSICAL STRUCTURE, ETC, AND IT IS SO SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHANGE THAT NO SET OF STANDARD RULES OR PROCEDURES CAN ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE HOW EACH AND EVERY ITEM SHOULD BE PACKAGED AND SUBMITTED. B. FAILURE TO COLLECT AND PROPERLY PACKAGE OR PRESERVE YOUR EVIDENCE CAN SOMETIMES AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF YOUR CASE. C. EVIDENCE MATERIAL SHOULD BE PACKAGED, STORED AND PRESERVED IN THE SAME CONDITION IN WHICH IT IS FOUND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ITS EVIDENTIARY PROPERTIES.

D. EVIDENCE MUST BE PACKAGED AND TREATED IN A MANNER THAT WILL REDUCE TO A MINIMUM ANY INFLUENCE WHICH THREATENS ITS EVIDENTIAL VALUE. E. WHEN SELECTING CONTAINERS FOR PACKAGING, CERTAIN FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED

CLEANLINESS OF YOUR CONTAINERS CONTAINERS OF A SUFFICIENT SIZE FOR THE EVIDENCE. THE CORRECT CONTAINER FOR THE EVIDENCE,E.G, PLASTIC, PAPER, ETC. STORAGE OF LIQUID SAMPLES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN A PLASTIC BOTTLE ENCLOSED IN A PLASTIC BAG, SEALED IN AN EVIDENCE ENVELOPE/ BAG. EACH EVIDENCE PACKAGE SHOULD BE PROPERLY LABELED FOR IDENTIFICATION.

VI. PROPERTY TAG A. PROPERTY TOO LARGE FOR AN EVIDENCE ENVELOPE MUST HAVE AN ATTACHED PROPERTY TAG. B. THE SAME PERTINENT INFORMATION THAT IS ON THE PROPERTY REPORT MUST ALSO BE FILLED OUT ON THE ATTACHED PROPERTY TAG. C. THE EVIDENCE ENVELOPES, PROPERTY TAGS AND THE PROPERTY REPORT FORMS ARE THE SOURCE DOCUMENTS FOR ALL PROPERTY HELD BY THE PROPERTY SECTION.

Special handling for controlled substances

VIII. SPECIAL HANDLING FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES A. EVIDENCE IN THE FORM OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WILL BE IN A SEALED CONTAINER, PLASTIC BAG, ETC., AND GROSS WEIGHT PLACED IN AN EVIDENCE ENVELOPE AND SEALED WITH EVIDENCE TAPE BY THE SUBMITTING OFFICER 1. OTHER SUBSTANCE ITEMS SUCH AS PILLS AND CAPSULES WILL BE COUNTED 2. ALL SUSPECTED CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SHALL BE PACKAGED SEPARATELY FROM ALL OTHER TYPES.

Protected items packaging firearms, drugs, jewelry and currency i.e., firearms, drugs, jewelry and currency

VII. PROTECTED ITEMS PACKAGING FIREARMS, DRUGS, JEWELRY AND CURRENCY A. PROTECTED ITEMS MUST ALWAYS BE PACKAGED SEPARATELY FROM ALL OTHER PROPERTY B. MONEY AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ARE DESIGNATED AS BELONGING TO DIFFERENT PROTECTED ITEM GROUPS AND REQUIRE SEPARATE PACKAGING

B. UPON RECEIPT OF ITEM PROPERTY PERSONNEL WILL INSPECT THE SEALED EVIDENCE ENVELOPE FOR ANY SIGNS OF TAMPERING

Firearms require special handling

IX. FIREARMS - REQUIRES SPECIAL HANDLING A. ANY PERSONNEL DELIVERING A FIREARM TO PROPERTY MUST MAKE CERTAIN THE FIREARM HAS CLEARED CCIC/NCICC AND FIREARM IS UNLOADED AND SAFE. B. THE EVIDENCE ENVELOPE MUST HAVE IN WRITING ACROSS ENVELOPE "FIREARM IS UNLOADED AND CLEARED CCIC/NCICC”, BEFORE DEPOSITING THE FIREARM WITH THE PROPERTY SECTION.

C. HANDGUNS, MAGAZINES AND UNFIRED AMMUNITION MUST NOT BE PLACED INTO THE SAME EVIDENCE ENVELOPE. HANDGUNS AND EMPTY MAGAZINES MAY BE PLACED INTO THE SAME EVIDENCE ENVELOPE, PROVIDING THE MAGAZINES ARE ENCLOSED IN A SMALLER PLASTIC BAG. D. FIREARMS THAT ARE PLACED IN THE PROPERTY SECTION MUST HAVE THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THAT WEAPON RECORDED ON THE PROPERTY REPORT EVIDENCE ENVELOPE AND PROPERTY TAG.

Bio-hazardous evidence

X. BIO-HAZARDOUS EVIDENCE A. ALL BIO-HAZARDOUS EVIDENCE THAT IS STAINED OR CONTAMINATED WITH BODY FLUIDS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE BIO- HAZARDOUS SHOULD BE TREATED AS THOUGH REAL DANGERS EXIST. B. EVERY PROCEDURE AND PRECAUTION SHOULD BE APPLIED WITH COMMON SENSE DICTATED BY "BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY".