Crime Scene Investigation

The Crime Scene Investigation Team Who is at the crime scene? Police and possibly a district attorney. Crime scene investigators. Medical examiners. Detectives. Specialists.

The Seven S’s of Crime Scene Investigation Secure the scene. Separate the witnesses. Scan the scene. See that photos are taken. Sketch the scene. Search for evidence. Secure the collected evidence.

Secure the crime scene

Secure crime scene with tape

Separate the witnesses Do not allow witnesses to talk to each other Witness accounts will be compared Avoid witnesses working together to create a story Asked: who, what, where?

Scan the scene Determine primary and secondary crime scenes Primary: where murder took place Secondary: where corpse was found Where should photos be taken? Wear protective gear to prevent contamination of crime scene

Mark Evidence with Tents

See that photos are taken: Crime Scene Photography Show the scene exactly as it was when you first saw it If something was moved before you arrived, don’t try to reconstruct the scene – just take the pictures the way you see it Be careful not to destroy any evidence while taking photos

Outside the Scene Exterior of building Arial photos Pictures of all doors, windows and exits

Overall Shots – Outside the Scene Outside science office First shot entering door: Exit (door)

Inside the Scene Begin with a view of the entrance Then photograph the scene as it appears when you first step into the room Next, move around the room to get photographs of all the walls (also show positions of any possible pieces of evidence) Photos of other rooms connect with crime scene

Overall Shots – Inside the Scene

Items of Evidence Take 2 shots: Midrange shot: show how the item is related to its surroundings Close-up: bring out details of item Take 2 close-up shots if marking or measuring device is used One shot without device, one shot with device

Evidence: Knife (possible weapon) Midrange Photo Close-Up (with ruler)

Sketch crime scene Make accurate rough sketch Note direction (N) and scale of distance Include relevant objects (body, doors, windows, furniture, immovable landmarks) Make final copy (on computer) for court N

Search for evidence Grid, strip or lane, spiral search pattern Use flashlight to find hair and fibers Use forceps, vacuum cleaner to collect evidence Grid Strip or Lane Spiral

Secure the collected evidence Properly package, seal, and label ALL evidence! Liquid: airtight, unbreakable containers Wet items (biological): dry out in breathable container Dry item: bindle  plastic or paper container Seal with tape and labeled with pertinent info

Packaging Evidence Bindle: folded paper used to hold trace evidence Crease a clean paper and place the evidence in the X position (as shown above). Fold in the left and right sides, and then fold in the top and bottom. Put the bindle into a plastic or paper evidence bag affixing a seal over the opening. Write your name on the seal.

Chain of Custody In order to present credible evidence in court, a chain of custody log is essential. A person bags the evidence, marks it for identification, seals it, and signs it across the sealed edge. It is signed over to a technician in a lab for analysis who opens it, but not on the sealed edge. After analysis, the technician puts it back in the evidence bag, seals it in another bag, and signs the evidence log (above, right).

(Simulated) Crime Scene Investigation

Crime Scene Personnel First Responder Recorder Sketch Artist Photographer 2 Evidence Collectors Duties: Read and complete your specific checklist Wear gloves to handle evidence Evidence logs filled out by Recorder and Evidence Collector

Meanwhile…. …back at the lab…

Analyze the Evidence Process all collected evidence Lab sends results to the lead detective, who fits the results into the crime scenario.

The lab results can: Show how reliable are any witness accounts. Establish the identity of suspects or victims. Show suspects to be innocent or link them with a scene or victim.

Staged Crime Scenes What if the lab results do not match up with the testimony of witnesses? Was it staged? Common situations: Arson — to cover bankruptcy or murder Suicide — to cover a murder Burglary — to collect insurance money

To help determine whether a crime scene was staged, consider: Does wound match weapon? Could wounds be easily self-inflicted? Profile victim The mood and actions of the victim before the event. The mood and actions of a suspect before the event. Corroborate statements with evidence and facts.