Investigators, the Investigative Process, and the Crime Scene Chapter 3 Investigators, the Investigative Process, and the Crime Scene

Learning Objectives Understand the role of the investigator and skills and qualities they must possess Discuss major events in the investigation of a crime Explain the major steps in a preliminary investigation Describe activities conducted in a follow-up investigation Define a crime scene Outline purposes and functions of an investigator

Chapter Objectives Explain the “rules” for the crime scene investigator Identify potential threats to investigators’ health and safety Be familiar with major considerations that dominate the crime scene search Be able to discuss investigation of staged crime scenes Explain crime scene reconstruction

WHAT IS A CRIME? A crime is the commission or omission of any act, which is prohibited or required by the penal code of an organized political state, to which some punishment or sanction is attached. Classifications Felony Punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year in a state prison. Misdemeanor Punishable by fine and/or imprisonment for up to one year in a local or county jail. Infraction or Violation Minor offenses punishable by a fine only.

THE INVESTIGATOR Someone who gathers, documents and evaluates evidence. Strong professional training and experience Strong degree of self-discipline Uses legally approved & ethical methods Does not act out of malice or bias Includes all evidence of innocence as well as guilt Uses systematic methods of inquiry Uses both inductive and deductive reasoning Compassionate, not calloused and cynical Has wide ranging contacts across many occupations Remains objective at all times Leaves nothing to chance during investigation

THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS Objectives Establish if a crime was committed Collect, document and preserve evidence Identify and apprehend the suspect(s) Recover stolen property Assist in the prosecution of the person(s) charged with the crime(s) Major events in the investigation of a crime

THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION The actions taken at the scene of a crime immediately following its detection and report to the police Receipt of information and initial response Emergency care Crime scene control BOLO alerts Crime scene determination Evidence The report

FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION Subsequent investigation Contacting witnesses who left the scene Checking out suspect(s) alibi Gathering additional evidence from other locations Talk with informants Attempt to locate additional witnesses Evaluate evidence collected and laboratory results of tests Obtain search and/or arrest warrants Recover stolen property Confer with prosecutor

CRIME SCENE Location where the offense was committed May include surrounding areas where evidence may be located Always start big . . . It’s much easier to make it smaller than to expand it at a later time There may be more than one crime scene Macroscopic versus Microscopic scenes

Crime Scene continued Crime-scene investigators examine blood-stained clothes before placing them in an evidence bag.

Rules for the Crime Scene Investigation Maintain Control Conceptualize Events Proceed with Caution Apply Inclusiveness Maintain Documentation Chief Charles Moose addresses the news during the Washington D.C. sniper investigation. (©AP/Wide World Photos)

ORGANIZATION OF THE CRIME SCENE Overall coordination Handled by assigned case agent Power to call in additional resources & coordinate all investigative activities Technical services Crime laboratory personnel & supervisors Investigative services Interviewing witnesses and victims Neighborhood canvass Suspect field interrogations

CATEGORIES OF EVIDENCE Corpus Delicti evidence Evidence that helps to prove the elements of the crime(s) Associative evidence Evidence that connects the suspect to the scene and/or victim or connects the scene/victim to the suspect It is bidirectional Trace evidence Small or microscopic evidence, or evidence in limited amounts

EVIDENCE RECOVERY LOG A chronological record of who found what evidence, where, witnessed by whom, and notations about other ways the evidence may have been documented, e.g., photography

EVIDENCE RECOVERY LOG The evidence recovery log is an important document which records all pieces of physical evidence found at a crime scene. This is critical if the case is to be successfully prosecuted later.

CRIME SCENE CONTROL The actions which the first arriving officer at the crime scene takes to make sure that the integrity of the scene is maintained. Control also includes preventing people at the scene from becoming combatants and separating witnesses.

CONCEPTUALIZATION Keep known facts AND inferences in mind when processing scene Facilitates reconstruction of the offense Identification of the modus operandi Identification of certain types of evidence Assists in establishing investigative direction

CAUTION Don’t destroy evidence Make crime scene bigger than expected and shrink as necessary Don’t overlook fruitful areas for exploration Do more than a cursory examination

INCLUSIVENESS Obtain every piece of evidence If not sure, take it as evidence until it is ruled out Do not dismiss items of possible evidence Be careful of rationalization and fatigue

DOCUMENTATION Constant Activity Starts with rough shorthand field notes Sketches Diagrams to scale WAYS TO DOCUMENT A CRIME SCENE VISUALLY INCLUDE: Video taping Photographing Sketching (Courtesy Lewiston, Maine, Police Department)

THREATS TO INVESTIGATORS HEALTH AND SAFETY AT CRIME SCENES Insect bites HIV/AIDS Hepatitis B and C Tuberculosis

MAJOR CONSIDERATIONS OF THE CRIME SCENE SEARCH Boundary Determination Choice of Search Patterns Instruction of Personnel Coordination Documentation

CRIME SCENE SEARCH PATTERNS The crime scene coordinator may choose from a variety of crime scene search patterns based upon the type and size of the crime scene.

Crime Scene Police diver recovers a handgun as part of an underwater investigation.