Preliminary InvestigationPreliminary InvestigationEQ: How do investigators record and

preserve a crime scene?EQ: How do investigators record and

preserve a crime scene?

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Corpus Delicti: Body of the Crime

Authorities must prove:

• That a crime occurred

• That the person charged with the crime was responsible for the crime

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Physical Evidence

• Encompasses any and all objects that can establish that: (1) a crime has been committed

(2) can provide a link between a crime and its victim

(3) can provide a link between a crime and its perpetrator

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Physical Evidence

• 1st must be recognized– infinite amount of evidence possible

• Possible sources of evidence:– Body/Victim

– Primary & secondary crime scene

– Suspect

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The Crime Scene

• Forensic Science begins at the crime scene– Responding officer must preserve scene

• Proper training can make a patrol officer an effective crime scene processor

• Techniques are not difficult to master

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The Crime Scene

• Crime labs do not solve crimes– Crime Scene processors - evidence

must be found

– Local investigators - must connect the pieces

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Crime Scene Processing Overview

• Secure the scene

• Record the scene

• Search the scene

• Collect evidence from scene

Crime Scene ProcessingCrime Scene Processing

Securing the SceneSecuring the Scene

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Securing the Scene

• Responsibility of 1st officer

• Better to tape off more than needed– You never know what may be evidence

• Two taped off areas is common– Outer “staging” and keeps “extras” out

of main scene

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Securing the Scene

ADAPT

• Assess scene and assist injured

• Detain witness(es)

• Arrest perpetrator

• Protect scene – exclude people

• Take notes – particularly scene log

Crime Scene ProcessingCrime Scene Processing

Recording the SceneRecording the Scene

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Recording the Scene

• Done first - critical to evidence admissions!

• Interview witness/victim first• Order:

–Photograph–Sketches–Take notes

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Photography: Purpose1. To record the original scene and related

areas

2. To record the initial appearance of physical evidence

3. It will provide investigators and others with this permanent visual record of the scene for later use

4. Photographs are also used in court trials and hearings

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Photography

• Scene must be unaltered except for medical assistance

• Completely photograph entire scene

• Include all adjacent areas

• Overview scene

• Start at body and work to less significant evidence

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Photography

• Get injuries and all evidence on body• Take two photographs of each item of

evidence – One should be an orientation (midrange) shot

to show how the item is related to its surroundings

– The second photograph should be a close-up to bring out the details of the object itself

• Use ruler on objects where size is important for scale

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Video

• Same principles as still photo

• Take long shots and close ups

• Use narration

• CANNOT replace still photo

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Sketches• Rough sketch at crime scene

• 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

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SketchesRequired elements:• Specific location

• Date & Time

• Case Number

• Full name of preparer & assistants

• Key or legend

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SketchesRequired elements: Continued

• Weather conditions

• “Scale=“ or “Not to scale”

• North indicated

• All evidence

• All Measurements

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Sketches - Order • Lay out parameters

• Draw in fixed objects

• Insert evidence

• Record all measurements

• Indicate North

• Insert Key or legend

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Sketches

• Finished Sketches are done later with templates, drafting tools, or CAD

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Sketches: Rough vs. Finished

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Notes• Must be taken CONSTANTLY!

• Detailed description of the scene

• Must I.D.:–Time evidence is found

–By Whom

–How and by whom it was packaged

–Disposition after it was collected

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Notes

• Tape recording is a good idea–Must be transcribed

–Tapes must be held like other case evidence b/c they are used in court• no joking on the tape

Crime Scene ProcessingCrime Scene Processing

Searching the SceneSearching the Scene

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Searching the Crime Scene

• Must be thorough, ALWAYS

• Assign a supervisor to coordinate search and oversee collection of evidence

• Search is based upon nature of crime

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Searching the Crime Scene

• Final search is for trace evidence

• Autopsy is also a search

Crime Scene ProcessingCrime Scene Processing

Collecting Evidence from SceneCollecting Evidence from Scene

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Collecting Evidence

• Point person named to oversee collection – Evidence Collector

• All effort is to prevent any change in the evidence from recovery to processing

• Keep all items in original condition• All items individually packaged to

prevent cross-contamination

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Collecting Evidence

• Start with most critical evidence first

• Most fragile second

• Body is evidence – most require ME or Coroner to handle body

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Collecting Evidence• We use all kinds of containers: pill

bottles, envelopes, vials, etc.

• Two special considerations:–body fluids or wet articles must be

placed in paper to prevent molding

–Arson debris sealed in an airtight container to prevent evaporation

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Chain of Custody

• Recording the life of each piece of evidence

• Establishes evidence credibility

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Chain of Custody

• Starts with location evidence was found

• Who collected it

• Who packaged it

• Every person who had it in their possession from that point forward

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Chain of Custody

• Initial seal of envelope

• Initial across tape–Fingerprint tape on card

–Tape sealing a box

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Submitting Evidence

• Usually delivered in person–Should be delivered by someone

familiar with the case

• Sometimes mailed

• Document transfer of evidence

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Reconstruction• Starts with initial walk through• Hypothesis is clarified by evidence

and data • Examination, testing and further

analysis may be required• Final theory is carried forward

–Alternate theories not ignored

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Crime Scene Safety• Concern for AIDS and Hepatitis B

• Caution used at all times

• Required minimal use of Latex Gloves, Shoe Covers.

• Liquid repellent coveralls for any contact with fluids or large areas

• Masks should be used

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Crime Scene Safety

• Use red Biohazard bags for crime scene trash and used gloves/garments

• Do not eat, drink or smoke at a crime scene

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Crime Scene Team

• Initial officer

• Emergency Medial Responders

• CSI – some jurisdictions have their own CSI– Many rely on state agency (GBI)

• Evidence specialists – if needed

• Photographer – usually CSI staff

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Crime Scene Team

• Detective – usually local agency

• Medical Examiner (ME) if needed

• Lab experts

• Reconstruction specialist

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Legal Considerations

• Chain of Evidence

• Unreasonable Searches

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Warrantless Searches are allowed under 4 circumstances:

• Emergency Circumstances

• Prevent destruction or loss of evidence

• Area under control of a person being arrested, including their body

• Consent search

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Searches

• Timeliness an issue in each condition of warrantless search

• Just get a WARRANT!–Not nearly as big a deal as you

think

Complicated Crime ScenesComplicated Crime ScenesHow do you handle these?How do you handle these?

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Columbine HS

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FBI Diagram

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FBI Diagram

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FBI Diagram

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FBI Diagram

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The Victims

Columbine High SchoolColumbine High School

Crime Scene VideoCrime Scene Video

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Evidence

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Evidence

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Evidence

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Evidence

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Evidence

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Evidence

Preliminary InvestigationPreliminary InvestigationEQ: How do investigators record and

preserve a crime scene?EQ: How do investigators record and

preserve a crime scene?