1. SITUATION Scene is secure Preliminary photography complete
Rough sketch made
Search method decided
Assignments made
Search ready to begin

2. THE SEARCH Purpose: Not confined to area of crime itself
To obtain physical evidence
Not confined to area of crime itself
May include approach and line of flight
Definite plans must be made
Must know what to look for and where

3. THE SEARCH Must be undertaken with determination and alertness
No room for defeatist attitude
No room for light-hearted attitude
May be unpleasant
Insignificant items may prove very important

4. CRIME SCENE SEARCH Must be thorough and systematic
How to search depends on several factors (locale, size, actions of persons)
One person should be in control
What to search for determined by crime
As general rule fragile items first
Be careful not to destroy evidence while searching (walking about)
Night time searches problem (put off till day if possible)

5. search Types of searches Be organized – Search everything Spiral Strip
Grid
Zone
Be organized – Search everything

7. GENERAL METHODS
Evidence that is being significantly deteriorated by time or elements has first priority
Major items are collected in order that is most logical
When deceased individual process area between entry and body

8. General Methods
After processing obvious search for trace material before dusting
After trace removed process for latents
Elimination prints and evidence standards are collected last

9. OUTDOOR SCENES
Nature of site will influence types of materials collected
Fingerprints less frequent
Recording more difficuld due to fewer reference points
Consider route to be taken to focal point

10. OUTDOOR SCENES
Almost all evidence on ground (easy to overlook or step on
Approach from route least likely to have been used by suspect
Examine vegetation for damage
Area under body should be given attention

11. OUTDOOR SCENES Careful search for tire or foot impressions
Soil samples collected from area of impressions
Broken limbs or twigs should be examined carefully (trace)
Is blood or semen suspected to be mixed with soil

12. Mapping the Outdoor Crime Scene
Datum Points and Subdatum Points

13. Mapping the Outdoor Crime Scene (continued)
Marking Evidence Collecting Limits

16. VEHICLE SEARCHES Carefully planned Nature of case will dictate details
Hit-and-run cases outside and undercarriage examined carefully
Homicide and other all areas of vehicle should be considered

17. VEHICLE SEARCHES Exterior searched first
Look for broken or damaged areas
Cloth impressions
Trace (hair, fiber, fabric) clinging to car
Last on outside fingerprint

18. VEHICLE SEARCH Interior of vehicle
Generally divided into five major areas
Rt front, Lt front, rt back, lt back, back deck)
May divide floor from seat from instrument
Vacuum floor areas first
Seats swept next
Fingerprint interior next

19. VEHICLE SEARCH Interior Search for hidden items inside vehicle
Drugs, weapons, loot
Trunk searched same way as interior
(swept, fingerprints, hidden items)
Under hood (usually not productive)
Could have concealed tools, weapons, or drugs)

20. SEARCH OF VICTIM Usually very limited May be only observation of dress
If injured collection may be at hospital
If deceased collection at medical examiners office

21. EQUIPMENT NEEDED Flashlight Containers Waterproof pens Metal Scribe
Razor Blades
Gloves
Tweezers

22. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS Fourth Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizure, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or thing to be seized

23. LEGAL Warrantless Search Emergency Circumstances
Need to prevent immediate loss or destruction of evidence
Incident to a lawful arrest
Consent search

24. LEGAL
Supreme court addressed issue of warrantless searches at crime scene
1978
Two cases
Mincey v. Arizona
Homicide
Michigan v. Tyler
Arson

25. Mincy v. Arizona Four day search at homicide scene
Undercover police officer killed after forcing entry into house to buy drugs
Police raided and spent four days searching (bullets, drugs, paraphernalia)

26. Mincy v. Arizona Mincy convicted
Appealed – evidence gathered without warrant or consent
Court unanimously upheld Mincy’s position

27. Mincy v. Arizona
Police may make warrantless entry to homicide scene to see if other victims or suspect still on premises No exigent circumstances No indication evidence would be lost or destroyed

28. Mincy v. Arizona
Police had a guard at apartment Warrant could have been easily and conveniently obtained Seriousness of the offence does not create exigent circumstances

29. Michigan v. Tyler Business destroyed by fire
Fire extinguished in early morning
Smoke, steam and darkness prevented examination of scene
Building left unattended until 8:00 am

30. Michigan v. Tyler
Officials returned at 8:00 am and searched and removed evidence
Returned 4, 7, and 25 days later, searched and removed evidence
Each search without warrant or consent

31. Michigan v. Tyler Tyler convicted of arson Court reversed conviction
Initial search proper but additional entries inadmissible

32. LEGAL Message of Supreme Court
When time and circumstances permit - obtain a search warrant.