1. Processing the Crime Scene

2. What is physical Evidence?
Any and all objects that can establish that a crime has been committed OR
Can provide a link between a crime , its victim or a crime and the perpetrator

3. Let’s review….what’s the first thing to do at a crime scene?
1. Secure and isolate crime scene
2. Record the scene
3. Conduct Systematic Search for Evidence
4. Collect and Package Physical Evidence
5. Maintain Chain of Custody

4. Secure and Isolate Crime Scene
Responsibility of first officer on scene (take steps to preserve and protect scene)
First priority - medical assistance
Exclude all unauthorized personnel
Establish and Control entry / exit points
Ropes, Tape, Barricades and Guards strategically placed.

5. Once the scene is secure and lead investigator arrives – what happens?
Boundaries of Scene determined
Does the area being searched need to be expanded?
Establish perpetrator’s path of entry and exit
Obvious items photographed and documented
Initial walk through to gain overview and develop strategy for systematic search

6. Name Three ways you could permanently record the scene:
1. Photograph
2. Sketch
3. Notes

7. Photography Crime scene should be photographed in its entirety.
Where the crime happened and adjacent areas.
Pictures of evidence to show location and position relative to entire scene.
Close-ups to show injuries and physical evidence
Measuring scale should always be included

8. Videotaping is also useful
Long shots and close-ups
Narration of events and scenes being videotaped can be useful for later analysis.
Sights and sounds of crime scene can be recorded.
Provides comparison to determine if scene has been altered or evidence moved during investigation.
Still photography continues to be the preference for the majority of crime labs.

9. Sketches Once photographs have been taken, sketches are created.
Investigator may not have time or skill so a ROUGH sketch is always created at scene.
Finished sketch is finished after all data has been collected.

10. Sketches Show location of all items that have any bearing on the crime
Dimensions and measurements must be 100% accurate
use tape measure
measure from 2 fixed points
Right angle or Triangulation measuring
EQ: How do investigators record and preserve a crime scene?

11. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company
CRIME SCENE SKETCH
Date: August 14, Criminalist: Ann Wilson
Time: 11:35 am Location: Rockledge Dr, St. Louis, Mo. N
Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

12. Sketches: Rough vs. Finished
EQ: How do investigators record and preserve a crime scene?

13. Sketches Required elements: Specific location Date & Time Case Number
Full name of preparer & assistants
Key or legend
EQ: How do investigators record and preserve a crime scene?

14. Sketches Required elements: Continued Weather conditions
“Scale=“ or “Not to scale”
North indicated
All evidence
All Measurements
EQ: How do investigators record and preserve a crime scene?

15. Sketches - Order Lay out parameters Draw in fixed objects
Insert evidence
Record all measurements
Indicate North
Insert Key or legend
EQ: How do investigators record and preserve a crime scene?

16. Notes
Constant Activity throughout the process of investigating a scene.
Notes must include:
- detailed written description of the scene
- Location of physical Evidence
- Records time that each piece of evidence was discovered.
- Record who discovered the evidence and how they packaged it
Notes should be taken with great detail and in anticipation that this may be the only source of information for refreshing one’s memory after weeks, months or years of an investigation.

17. Search Search for physical evidence must be systematic and thorough.
Type of search depends on size and location

18. Collect and Package Physical Evidence
Physical evidence must be handled and processed in a way that prevents any change from the time it is removed to the time it arrives at the lab.
What are some sources of contamination?
Breakage
Evaporation
Accidental Scratching or bending
Loss through improper Careless packaging

19. Chain of custody Continuity of possession
Established when evidence is presented in court
Info. Collected: initials, date,location of evidence
To avoid confusion and retain control at all times – individuals on chain of custody should be kept to a minimum.

20. Removal of All evidence must be in accordance with appropriate search and seizure protocols.

21. Legal Considerations at a crime scene:
Which Ammendment protects us from Unreasonable searches?
The 4th Ammendment
A number of allowances have been made by the courts to justify a warrantless search….what do you think they are?
Emergency Situations
Need to prevent immediate loss or destruction of evidence
Search made by consent of the parties involved.

22. Mincey V. Arizona
Court dealt with a four day search at a homicide scene.
Involved raid on Rufus Mincey – suspected drug dealer.
Apt. raided under pretense that Mincey had purchased drugs – undercover agent killed.
Guns, ammo, drugs and drug paraphernalia were seized and admitted as evidence in court.
Mincey was freed - the 4 day search was illegal.

23. Michigan V. Tyler
Business establishment leased by Tyler and buisness partner destroyed by fire.
Fire was extinguished, but it was too smoky to thoroughly search the property…arson was suspected so several items were seized.
Investigators returned again the next morning, 4 days later, 7 days later and 25 days later.
What evidence do you think was admissible in court?

24. Supreme Court Findings Clear…
If there is time and circumstances permit – investigators must obtain a warrant before investigating and retrieving evidence.