1. Crime Scene Documentation
Denise Scribner Forensic Crime Science Eisenhower High School, USD #265

2. Purpose of a Crime Scene Search
The primary purpose of a crime scene search is to
develop associative evidence that could link a suspect to the scene or a victim
to answer questions crucial to the investigation, such as who perpetrated the crime,
how the crime was committed, the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime,
why the crime was committed.

3. Additional reasons
police search crime scenes to identify evidence through which a psychological profile of the suspect can be developed
to identify an object(s) that does not logically belong at the crime scene and that could potentially be linked to a suspect
to identify the suspect’s modus operandi (MO), or motive for committing the crime.
It is important to note that although these principles apply to all crime scenes, more specific tasks may be undertaken, depending on what type of crime has been committed

4. Remember LOCARD’S EXCHANGE PRINCIPLE
Whenever two objects come into contact, a mutual exchange of matter will take place between them.

5. Equipment Used Cameras (digital and film) Sketchpad Graph paper
Different types of film
Different lenses
Flashes
Filters
Tripod
Sketchpad
Graph paper
Measuring tape
Notepad

6. FIRST RESPONDERS Assist the victim Search for / arrest suspect
Detain witnesses / keep separate
PROTECT CRIME SCENE / LOG
DO NOT SMOKE, DRINK OR EAT
Infect self
Contaminate scene
Communicate all information to detectives

7. The Process Crime Scene First Officer Attending
Crime Scene Preservation
Crime Scene Processing
Recording the Crime
Recovery of Physical Evidence
Packaging the Physical Evidence (Bag and Tag)

8. APPROACH THE SCENE

9. Upon Arrival at the scene
Check with officer at the scene—is it safe to proceed?
Begin your field notes by asking the officer at the scene:
Their name and rank
Exact address of crime scene
Details known to date (e.g. number of victims/assaulters, EMS disturbed scene?

10. Conduct a Primary Walk Though
Tape off and secure the crime scene if not already done so
Look for any weapons that may have live rounds or items like backpacks that could be booby trapped or contain weapons immediately—clear any live rounds
Walk through and assess with team how to prioritize documentation

11. Determining the boundary of the crime scene is critical.
Numerous factors affect boundary determination
whether the crime scene has more than one location
whether the crime scene is indoor or outdoor.
Crime scenes may be categorized into primary and secondary, though secondary crime scenes do not always exist when the crime occurred in only one area.
Typically when a crime scene is inside a physical structure (indoors), boundaries are restricted and more easily identifiable. In contrast, with an outdoor crime scene, determining accurate boundaries is more challenging.

12. Upon Arrival at the scene
Check with officer at the scene—is it safe to proceed?
Begin your field notes by asking the officer at the scene:
Their name and rank
Exact address of crime scene
Details known to date (e.g. number of victims/assaulters, EMS disturbed scene?

13. crime scenes are divided into inner and outer perimeters, with the inner perimeter being where the actual crime took place and the outer perimeter being the boundary for maintaining control of the crime scene (
Choosing a search pattern is critical and depends on the locale, size of the area, and the apparent actions of the suspect, victim, and any others having access to the scene, that is,
The number of personnel available also affects the type of search, with some methods requiring more personnel than others

14. Crime Scene Documentation:
Occurs during the second walk-through
Follows same path as first walk-through
These jobs can be shared if more than one CSI is present.
Begin your sketching with photography( both mid-range and individual), keep field log of which photos goes with sketch

15. CRIME SCENE PROCEDURES
SURVEY SCENE
Minimize contact by ALL personnel
Use Personal Protective Equipment
Note evidence
Protect evidence that may be lost
Note weather conditions
Use alternate entry
Record EVERYTHING

16. Types of Searches
Elevation zone search Overlapping Zone Search

17. Search Patterns Pie Wheel
Strip Search Grid Search
Other type of strip/grid seach Spiral Search quadrant/zone

18. Sketching and Measurements

22. Video: how to process a crime scene

23. NARRATIVE: DESCRIPTION OF THE SCENE

24. Note-taking at the Scene
Uses scientific observation
Make only factual observations.
Make no assumptions; form no opinions.
“blood spreading outward from underside of corpse” vs. “large, brownish-red fluid spreading outward from underside of corpse”

25. PHOTOGRAPH THE SCENE

26. Photographs
Take pics of everything BEFORE anything is touched or moved. BEFORE MOVING EVIDENCE
SYSTEMATIC
OVERVIEW
MIDRANGE
CLOSE-UP
LOG / CAMERA SETTINGS
SCALE
Even the corpse is not touched until it and the surrounding area have been photographed.
3 types of photos taken:
Overviews
Mid-views
Close-ups

27. Crime Scene Photographs

28. Overview Shots The widest possible views of the entire scene
Views of ALL rooms with photos from each corner and overhead
Views of the outside of the building, including all entrances and exits
Views of the building in relation to other structures
Photos of any spectators at the scene (???)

29. Mid-range Photos
To show key pieces of evidence in their original context
Location in the room
Distance from other pieces of evidence

30. Close-ups
Individual pieces of evidence to show details and serial numbers
Second set of evidence pieces with a ruler for scale
Every photo is included in a photo log.

31. Photo Log Includes: Photograph number
Description of the object or scene in the photograph
Location of object or scene
Time and date of photo

33. Sketches
Shows exact locations of evidence and how each piece relates to the rest of the scene
Includes details like
door heights,
room size,
distance from door to windows,
diameter of hole in wall above victim’s body
Angle measurements

34. CRIME SCENE DOCUMENTATION
SKETCHES
Assign measurements to objects
Triangulation
Baseline
Polar Coordinates
Rough / finished
Legend

35. Rough Sketch

38. EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE

39. COLLECTION & PRESERVATION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
One CSI in charge
Priority to easily destroyed evidence
Primary packaging
Contain and protect
Secondary packaging
Seal and tamper resistant
INITIAL / DATE / TIME
Identity of item enclosed

40. Determine best type of storage container
Glass container with lid
Plastic bag
Paper sack
Evidence bundle

41. Evidence Bindles

42. COLLECTION & PRESERVATION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
Each item separate
Wet items
Temporary in plastic
Air Dry
Permanent in paper
Arson evidence – air tight containers
Controls

43. Legal Issues Property is held in Police Custody for 4 Reasons:
Purse
Legal Issues
Cash
Property is held in Police Custody
for 4 Reasons:
The investigation of a crime
Recovery of lost or stolen items
Safekeeping and return to owner
Abandonment by the owner
Guns
Coat
Fiber
Drug

44. Evidence
Evidence is property that has significance as a means of determining the truth as an alleged matter of fact.

45. PROPERTY
Property is everything that is subject to ownership, not coming under the denomination of real property.
Police custody of property implies a responsibility on the part of the police agency, to care, preserve, and secure the property while it is under our control.
Possession of property gives the police agency only temporary rights to that property.

46. A finder may claim finders rights
FOUND PROPERTY
Most found property is non- evidentiary. Found property is held for 30 up to 60 days or until ownership can be determined. All non-evidence must be authorized for release when booked.
A finder may claim finders rights
for any unclaimed property which is not contraband or potentially dangerous in nature.

47. Chain of Custody
chain of custody, which means ”continuity of possession
All personnel who have handled the evidence must have maintained its integrity and provided no means through which the evidence could have been altered. When evidence is finally presented in court, if the chain of custody cannot be established, then the evidence will probably not be allowed to support the prosecution’s case.

48. Maintaining the Chain of Custody
The number of persons handling evidence from the time it is secured should be limited.
Individuals who handle the evidence should affix their names and badge numbers on the seals to the package containing the evidence and the chain of custody sign in and out form/log.

49. Record time and who left a crime scene and then re-entered in your field notes

50. Legal Requirements
The property control system must meet all legal requirements. These include federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. These statutes and ordinances very often dictate the methods and procedures for handling, storage and disposal of property.

51. COLLECTION, RECORDING, MARKING AND PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE
What constitutes a seal?
Initials on article or container
Description of contents
Paper is our friend!
Evidence Bindle

52. PROCESS THE SCENE FOR LATENT PRINTS AND COLLECT ANY PRINTS DEVELOPED

53. CRIME SCENE RECONSTRUCTION
Data Collection
Conjecture
Hypothesis Formulation
Testing
Theory

54. STOP AND THINK OF ANYTHING FURTHER THAT MIGHT BE COLLECTED.
FINAL SURVEY!!!
STOP AND THINK OF ANYTHING FURTHER THAT MIGHT BE COLLECTED.

55. RELEASE OF THE CRIME SCENE for clean up crew

56. Cleaning up crime scenes – somebody has to do it

57. Policies and Procedures for booking are available for reference in the work area.

58. Property Technicians will assist you with property booking questions.

59. Incorrectly booked property will be held in the locker for you until you respond to make corrections.

60. V. PACKAGING AND HANDLING OF EVIDENCE
A. EVIDENCE ASSOCIATED WITH ANY CRIME CAN BE SO VARIED IN TYPE, PHYSICAL STRUCTURE, ETC, AND IT IS SO SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHANGE THAT NO SET OF STANDARD RULES OR PROCEDURES CAN ADEQUATELY DESCRIBE HOW EACH AND EVERY ITEM SHOULD BE PACKAGED AND SUBMITTED.
B. FAILURE TO COLLECT AND PROPERLY PACKAGE OR PRESERVE YOUR EVIDENCE CAN SOMETIMES AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF YOUR CASE.
C. EVIDENCE MATERIAL SHOULD BE PACKAGED, STORED AND PRESERVED IN THE SAME CONDITION IN WHICH IT IS FOUND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ITS EVIDENTIARY PROPERTIES.

61. D. EVIDENCE MUST BE PACKAGED AND TREATED IN A MANNER THAT WILL REDUCE TO A MINIMUM ANY INFLUENCE WHICH THREATENS ITS EVIDENTIAL VALUE.
E. WHEN SELECTING CONTAINERS FOR PACKAGING, CERTAIN FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED

62. CLEANLINESS OF YOUR CONTAINERS
CONTAINERS OF A SUFFICIENT SIZE FOR THE EVIDENCE.
THE CORRECT CONTAINER FOR THE EVIDENCE,E.G, PLASTIC, PAPER, ETC.
STORAGE OF LIQUID SAMPLES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN A PLASTIC BOTTLE ENCLOSED IN A PLASTIC BAG, SEALED IN AN EVIDENCE ENVELOPE/ BAG.
EACH EVIDENCE PACKAGE SHOULD BE PROPERLY LABELED FOR IDENTIFICATION.

63. VI. PROPERTY TAG
A. PROPERTY TOO LARGE FOR AN EVIDENCE ENVELOPE MUST HAVE AN ATTACHED PROPERTY TAG.
B. THE SAME PERTINENT INFORMATION THAT IS ON THE PROPERTY REPORT MUST ALSO BE FILLED OUT ON THE ATTACHED PROPERTY TAG.
C. THE EVIDENCE ENVELOPES, PROPERTY TAGS AND THE PROPERTY REPORT FORMS ARE THE SOURCE DOCUMENTS FOR ALL PROPERTY HELD BY THE PROPERTY SECTION.

65. Special handling for
controlled
substances

66. VIII. SPECIAL HANDLING FOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
A. EVIDENCE IN THE FORM OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WILL BE IN A SEALED CONTAINER, PLASTIC BAG, ETC., AND GROSS WEIGHT PLACED IN AN EVIDENCE ENVELOPE AND SEALED WITH EVIDENCE TAPE BY THE SUBMITTING OFFICER
1. OTHER SUBSTANCE ITEMS SUCH AS PILLS AND CAPSULES WILL BE COUNTED
2. ALL SUSPECTED CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SHALL BE PACKAGED SEPARATELY FROM ALL OTHER TYPES.

67. Protected items packaging firearms, drugs, jewelry and currency
i.e.,
firearms, drugs, jewelry and currency

68. VII. PROTECTED ITEMS PACKAGING FIREARMS, DRUGS, JEWELRY AND CURRENCY
A. PROTECTED ITEMS MUST ALWAYS BE PACKAGED SEPARATELY FROM ALL OTHER PROPERTY
B. MONEY AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ARE DESIGNATED AS BELONGING TO DIFFERENT PROTECTED ITEM GROUPS AND REQUIRE SEPARATE PACKAGING

69. B. UPON RECEIPT OF ITEM PROPERTY PERSONNEL WILL INSPECT THE SEALED EVIDENCE ENVELOPE FOR ANY SIGNS OF TAMPERING

70. Firearms require special handling

71. IX. FIREARMS - REQUIRES SPECIAL HANDLING
A. ANY PERSONNEL DELIVERING A FIREARM TO PROPERTY MUST MAKE CERTAIN THE FIREARM HAS CLEARED CCIC/NCICC AND FIREARM IS UNLOADED AND SAFE.
B. THE EVIDENCE ENVELOPE MUST HAVE IN WRITING ACROSS ENVELOPE "FIREARM IS UNLOADED AND CLEARED CCIC/NCICC”, BEFORE DEPOSITING THE FIREARM WITH THE PROPERTY SECTION.

72. C. HANDGUNS, MAGAZINES AND UNFIRED AMMUNITION MUST NOT BE PLACED INTO THE SAME EVIDENCE ENVELOPE. HANDGUNS AND EMPTY MAGAZINES MAY BE PLACED INTO THE SAME EVIDENCE ENVELOPE, PROVIDING THE MAGAZINES ARE ENCLOSED IN A SMALLER PLASTIC BAG.
D. FIREARMS THAT ARE PLACED IN THE PROPERTY SECTION MUST HAVE THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THAT WEAPON RECORDED ON THE PROPERTY REPORT EVIDENCE ENVELOPE AND PROPERTY TAG.

75. Bio-hazardous evidence

76. X. BIO-HAZARDOUS EVIDENCE
A. ALL BIO-HAZARDOUS EVIDENCE THAT IS STAINED OR CONTAMINATED WITH BODY FLUIDS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE BIO- HAZARDOUS SHOULD BE TREATED AS THOUGH REAL DANGERS EXIST.
B. EVERY PROCEDURE AND PRECAUTION SHOULD BE APPLIED WITH COMMON SENSE DICTATED BY "BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY".