Science of Crime Scenes Chapter 3.3 Science of Crime Scenes

What is a crime scene team? Work teams and groups: are composed of two or more individuals who exist to perform organizationally relevant tasks share one or more common goals interact socially exhibit task interdependencies (i.e., workflow, goals, outcomes) maintain and manage boundaries are embedded in an organizational context that sets boundaries, constrains the team, and influences exchanges with other units in the broader entity Science of Crime Scenes

Team membership can vary greatly Lead detective Scene detective Medical examiner Coroner Latent print expert Photographer Prosecutor Forensic anthropologist Forensic odontologist Forensic nurse Forensic computer expert Detection and tracker dogs Forensic entomologist Other specialists Science of Crime Scenes

Science of Crime Scenes Lead Detective The lead detective will have superior investigative skills They will be experienced They will be used to a position of authority The lead detective has to be able to juggle multiple cases The lead detective often turns over the scene in question to the scene detective Science of Crime Scenes

Science of Crime Scenes Scene Detective The scene detective is the liaison between police agency and the crime scene team All communication between the crime scene team and the police agency will go through them The scene detective will be responsible for security while the team is onsite The scene detective will take custody of the scene when the crime scene team leaves Science of Crime Scenes

Science of Crime Scenes Medical Examiner A medical doctor who is responsible for examining bodies post mortem, to determine the cause of death and manner of death, and the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual Manner of death is one of five categories listed on a death certificate; homicide, suicide, natural, accidental, and undetermined MEs are pathologists, physicians trained in the medical specialty of pathology MEs and their staff (often called “death investigators”) will perform investigations at the scene of death, work to identify the deceased, and may identify and collect evidence Science of Crime Scenes

Science of Crime Scenes Coroner A coroner is a public officer (usually elected) whose primary function is to investigate any death thought to be of other than natural causes A coroner does not have to have any medical training The coroner is responsible for identifying the body, notifying the next of kin, collecting and returning any personal belongings on the body to the family of the deceased, and signing the death certificate Science of Crime Scenes

Death investigation systems in the US Via NPR, with permission Science of Crime Scenes

Science of Crime Scenes Latent print expert A latent print expert will be skilled in fingerprint collection and comparison Has knowledge of the myriad fingerprint development techniques to recognize the potential for developing prints on objects At autopsies or with badly decomposed bodies, latent print experts can assist with identification of the deceased by using specialized techniques to rehydrate or otherwise render the skin to a condition in which useful fingerprints can be collected Science of Crime Scenes

Science of Crime Scenes Photographer A dedicated photographer who has training and practices regularly is a great advantage to a crime scene team Able to work with Low available light Low-level fluorescence from the use of blood visualization reagents Difficult angles Cataloging numerous images Science of Crime Scenes

Science of Crime Scenes Prosecutor Most large prosecutors’ offices in the U.S. have an on-call rotation whereby deputy prosecutors work with law enforcement at major crime scenes They assist in the writing of search warrants before CSIs enter the scene They often interact with investigators to learn about the circumstances surrounding the evidence collected and the possible sequence of events Science of Crime Scenes

Forensic anthropologist Specialize in the analysis of skeletal remains and are consulted for: Locating clandestine graves or remains on the ground’s surface Recovering remains and associated evidence from outdoor Identifying whether bones (fragmentary or complete) are human or nonhuman Assisting with the personal identification of human remains Determining the factors that cause changes in bone during the postmortem interval Science of Crime Scenes

Forensic Dentist (Odontologist) The examination, handling, and presentation of dental evidence Age estimations of both living and deceased persons including neo- natal remains Identification of individuals from dental x-rays or other documentation Science of Crime Scenes

Science of Crime Scenes Forensic Nurse Provide specialized care for patients who are victims and/or perpetrators of trauma Have a specialized knowledge of the legal system and skills in injury identification, evaluation and documentation Often collects evidence, provides medical testimony in court, and consults with legal authorities Forensic nurses work in a variety of fields, including sexual assault (as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners or SANEs Science of Crime Scenes

Forensic Computer Expert The collection and analysis of data from computer systems, networks, communication streams (wireless) and storage media Recover computer data and personal records from personal phones, cameras, and memory device Science of Crime Scenes

Detection dogs and Trackers A person (or animal) traversing ground will leave some sort of telltale sign A tracker looks for displaced rocks, soil depressions, clothing fibers, changes in vegetation, changes in the environment, ambient noise or lack thereof, etc. Dogs are used by humans to locate a range of substances because of their superior olfactory acuity Trained dogs can significantly reduce the amount of time spent searching for a target object, chemical or species Science of Crime Scenes

Science of Crime Scenes Entomologist Necrophagous insects (those that eat dead tissue) are important in the decomposition of cadavers By calculating the age of immature insect stages feeding on a corpse and analyzing the necrophagous species present, postmortem intervals from the first day to several weeks can be estimated CSIs should be aware that flies who have been feeding off the blood of the deceased, and who make repeated attempts to leave the vicinity, can create small diameter impact patterns on windows that can affect blood stain interpretation. Science of Crime Scenes