1. Crime Scene Administration and Management
Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Response Team

2. Instructional Goal
To provide the participant with an understanding of the fundamentals of crime scene management as it pertains to the collection and preservation of physical evidence.

3. Instructional Objectives
The participant will be able to...
Explain the steps for crime scene preparation
Identify the purpose and operational structure of a Crime Scene Unit
Describe the basic six team positions of a crime scene unit

4. Instructional Objectives
Identify the stages involved in evaluating a crime scene
List basic equipment required to process a crime scene
Describe basic safety considerations
Describe methods of controlling crime scene contamination

5. Importance of Physical Evidence
Admissibility in court
It doesn’t matter if you know who did it, if you can’t convince a jury

6. Q: Why is there a need to collect evidence correctly?

7. Three Types of Evidence
Confessions
Witnesses
Physical Evidence

8. Potential Problems with Evidence
Confessions
The voluntary nature of the confession will be questioned
Defense will claim it was coerced
Miranda issues

9. Potential Problems with Evidence
Witnesses
Credibility
Imperfect recollection
Conflicting statements

10. Potential Problems with Evidence
Physical Evidence
Was it collected properly?
Was it handled properly?
Was it processed properly?
You can control the first two

11. Two General Types of Physical Evidence
Class Evidence
That evidence which can be matched to a class of individuals… “consistent with” exemplars from victim or subject
Hairs and fibers, trace
Individual or Identifying Evidence
That evidence that can be matched to a specific individual
Fingerprints, DNA

12. Legality of a Search
There is no crime scene exception to the 4th Amendment
Once a scene is secure, exigent circumstances no longer exist
Get a warrant
Get consent

13. Advanced Preparation

14. Advanced Preparation
Accumulate packaging and collection of materials necessary for typical crime scene.
Prepare format for the paperwork needed to document the crime scene search

15. Advanced Preparation
Ensure specialists are aware of the proper collection and documentation of evidence likely to be encountered.
Before arrival, discuss the crime scene search with involved personnel.
Before arrival, designate a person-in-charge and make preliminary personnel assignments.

16. Advanced Preparation Clothing Communication Lighting assistance
Shelter
Food and liquids
Medical assistance
Scene security
Equipment & Supplies

17. Personnel Responsibilities

18. Team Leader Administrative log Narrative description
Preliminary survey
Scene security
Final decision making

19. Photographer Takes the appropriate photographs
Responsible for preparing photographic log
Dictate to designated scribe

20. Sketch Preparer Draw the sketch
Depict spatial relationships
Documentation of items collected on sketch
Match item #’s

21. Evidence Recorder Prepare the evidence log documents
Function as the Evidence Custodian

22. Evidence Collectors Balance of team members Conduct search
Collect and package evidence
Make sure all items collected are photographed, located on sketch, and logged

23. Specialists
Consider what specialists might be necessary to assist with the processing of the crime scene
Specialists include pathologists, anthropologists, entomologists, botanists, geologists, fingerprint specialists, bomb technicians, engineers etc...

24. Important Considerations
Prolonged searches
Establish personnel requirements - shifts
Multiple shifts that overlap
Communications
Ancillary services (e.g. medical examiner, DA, etc.)
Organize a command post for major cases

25. Important Considerations
Multi-jurisdictional events
Establish liaison with other jurisdictions
Develop memoranda of understanding
Pool available resources
Designate media / press coordination

26. 11 Steps of Crime Scene Search

27. 11 Step Process Approach the scene Secure and protect
Initiate a preliminary survey
Evaluate the physical evidence
Prepare a narrative description
Photograph the scene
Prepare a sketch
Conduct a detailed search
Record and collect the physical evidence
Conduct a final survey
Release the crime scene

28. Approach Scene Be alert for all forms of physical evidence
Make pertinent notes concerning observations
Be in the frame of mind to take control
Consider personal safety
Consider all resources needed for processing the scene

29. Secure and Protect Scene
Take aggressive control upon arrival
Determine the extent of the scene protection upon arrival
Check for adequate scene security
Obtain all information possible regarding the original condition of the crime scene
Appoint one individual as person-in-charge

30. Secure and Protect Scene
Person-in-charge has final decision and resolution making authority
Take extensive notes - do not rely on your memory (or others’)
Record all entries and exits from the scene
Name
Department
Reason for entering
Keep unauthorized personnel out

31. Initiate Preliminary Survey
Organizational stage to plan search:
Initial cautious walk through of the scene
Identify the extent of the search area - may require expanding initial perimeter
Organize the methods and procedures needed to process the scene
Determine manpower and equipment needs
Make personnel assignments

32. Preliminary Survey
Identify and protect all transient physical evidence
Develop a general theory of the crime
Make extensive notes to document physical and environmental conditions, assignments, and movements of personnel

33. Evaluate Physical Evidence
Evaluation begins upon arrival at the scene
Becomes more detailed in preliminary survey stage
Concentrate on the most transient evidence first and work towards least transient
Insure you have appropriate packaging material for evidence to be collected

34. Narrative Description
Narrative is a running general description of the condition of the crime scene
Present an overall general to specific description of crime scene
Note items that catch your attention
Methods of narrative can be:
Audio
Written
Video

35. Crime Scene Photography
Purpose:
Record Original Scene & Conditions
Document Appearance of Evidence
Capture Permanent Record
Admissibility Issues:
Photo must be relevant
Non-prejudicial
Distortion-free
Accurate representation

36. Scene Photography Photograph the scene as soon as possible
Use Photo Log for documentation
Utilize various views of the scene
Overall
Medium
Close-up (with and without scale)
Photograph all evidence prior to collection

37. Scene Photography Photograph the scene completely to include:
Points of entry/exit
Surrounding area/neighborhood
Take photographs at eye level
Photographs supplement sketches and notes - they do not stand alone
FILM IS CHEAP! Use it!

38. Homicide Photography Use Color Film Body w/ 5 Angles
Close-up of Obvious Wounds
Weapons
Trace Evidence
Signs of Prior Activity
Evidence of Struggle
Witness Perspective Shots
Autopsy

39. Scene Photography DOs and DON’Ts
Do take your time
Doing more is better than less
Don’t Reposition Evidence
Don’t destroy in the process

40. Diagram/Sketch
Permanent record of items, establishes distance/size and their spatial relationships
Rough sketch may be drawn at scene - never to scale.
Retain in file
Final sketch in office/lab
Can be to scale
May utilize personnel with drafting or computer skills

41. Diagram/Sketch Administrative Information to include: Location Date
Case number/name
Preparer’s name
Scale
North arrow
Key

42. Diagram/Sketch Should Depict Features Buildings Furniture Plants
Items of evidence
Numbers or letters
Measurements
In adjacent table

43. Record and Collect Physical Evidence
Locate evidence
Record evidence
Collect evidence
Package evidence

44. Locate Physical Evidence
In open areas, consider using specialized search patterns:
Line
Grid
Spiral
Be sure to address areas above and below normal eye level

45. Strip or Line Search Lanes must be established
Overlap to ensure full coverage
Lane width should be
manageable
Multiple personnel on line within
a lane, require extra discipline

46. Spiral Start at center and spiral out May have advantages if
working alone
Difficult to manage

47. Grid A B C D 1 2 3 4

48. Locate /Collect Physical Evidence
Consider specialized forensic techniques
Latent fingerprits
Hairs and fibers
Trace evidence
Blood and bodily fluids
Toolmarks
Impressions

49. Latent Fingerprints
Latent fingerprints are a marvelous tool for solving crimes, but they have limitations:
Liftability
Identifiability
Matchabiliy

50. Latent Fingerprints Liftability
The fact that one can locate and develop a latent fingerprint at the scene does not mean that print can be lifted
Surface characteristics
Photograph before lifting!

51. Latent Fingerprints Identifiability
The fact that one can locate and see a latent fingerprint does not mean that it contains identifiable finger ridge detail

52. Latent Fingerprints Matchability
The fact that one can locate, develop and lift a good latent fingerprint does not mean that it can be matched to a subject or victim
Can’t lways submit a partial print to AFIS and get a match
Must first develop a suspect through other investigative means
Then attempt to match latent to his/her prints

53. Trace/Hairs & Fibers Edmund Locard’s Transference Theory:
“When any two objects come in contact there is always a transfer of material from each object on to the other”

54. Two Types of Transfer: Direct Transfer Indirect Transfer
Victim to Suspect
Suspect to Victim
Indirect Transfer
Suspect to suspect’s car to victim

55. Blood Evidence Bloodstain pattern analysis
Establishes what happened
Blood collection and analysis
Blood typing and DNA
Establishes who was bleeding

56. Record and Collect Physical Evidence
Photograph all items before collection
Record in the Photography Log
Use scale, when necessary
Mark evidence locations in diagram/sketch
Complete the Evidence Log

57. Record and Collect Physical Evidence
Have at least two persons:
Observe the evidence in place before collection
Observe the evidence being collected
Select the proper packaging material
Mark the evidence directly or
Mark the evidence containers for identification

58. Record and Collect Physical Evidence
If feasible…
Have one person as Evidence Custodian
Seal the evidence containers at the scene
Obtain control samples, where needed
Check all logs and evidence for accuracy

59. Evidence Packaging General Rules For latent fingerprints:
Porous material goes in paper packaging
Non-porous material goes in plastic
Secure so it doesn’t move
Blood and bodily fluid evidence:
Porous packaging
NEVER in plastic!
Dry before packaging

60. Record and Collect Physical Evidence
Four basic premises to consider:
The best search options are usually the most difficult and time-consuming
You cannot over-document the physical evidence collected
There is only ONE CHANCE TO DO IT RIGHT!
Start your search out CAUTIOUSLY and finish VIGOROUSLY

61. Conduct Final Survey Critical review of all aspects of the search
Discuss the search jointly with all personnel for completeness
Double check documentation to detect inadvertent errors or omissions
Take exit photographs
Ensure all evidence is accounted for and the scene is secure before departing

62. Conduct Final Survey
Insure you have all of your equipment prior to departing
Make sure that nothing has been overlooked
Before you leave the scene, make sure you have collected everything you could to help solve the case
Only one chance to do it right!

63. Release the Crime Scene
Release only after final survey is complete
Document the
Time/Date of release
To/By whom scene was released
Insure appropriate receipts and inventory have been provided as necessary
Once you have released scene, reentry may require getting a warrant

64. Release the Crime Scene
Before you release the scene….
Insure you have utilized all appropriate resources such as bloodstain pattern analyst, bomb technicians, forensic anthropologist, behavioral scientist, etc. to review the scene.

65. Safety Considerations
Ensure personnel have personal protective equipment
Treat all blood and body fluids as infectious
View crime scene as source of contamination
Never place hands where you can’t see
Do not eat, drink, or smoke at crime scene

66. Safety Considerations
Ensure crime scene personnel have protection from environmental elements
Beware of blood borne pathogens
Place sharps in appropriate containers
Beware of secondary devices in bombing cases

67. Crime Scene Contamination Control Techniques
Don‘t touch face with contaminated gloves
Double glove and change gloves frequently
Use shoe covers and remove when you leave crime scene
Avoid using same personnel to search crime scene and subject’s car or home
If you decide to use same personnel, ensure their clothing and shoes are changed

68. Crime Scene Contamination Control Techniques
Collect all trash generated by crime scene team
Do not wear jewelry at crime scene
Do not smoke at scene
Use face masks and eye protection when dealing with body fluids