unit 3: crime scene processing 3.2 crime scene team
TRANSCRIPT
CRIME SCENE TEAMA group of professional investigators, each trained in a variety of special disciplines.
Team MembersFirst Police Officer on the sceneMedics (if necessary) Investigator(s)Medical Examiner (if necessary)Photographer and/or Field Evidence TechnicianLab Experts
SOCO“Scene Of Crime Officer”
SOCOFirst officer on the scene
First to respond but also first to potentially damage or contaminate.
Cardinal Rule:“Eyes open, mouth shut,
hands in pockets”
FIRST OFFICERON THE SCENE
A Assess the crime scene and assist those hurt
D Detain the witness
A Arrest the perpetrator
P Protect the crime scene
T Take notes
medicsOnly required if an injured victim or witness are present
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Both EMTs and paramedics have the knowledge and skills to transport patients and provide them with emergency care.
Difference is the amount of education they receivescope of practice
Emergency Medical Technician (E.M.T.)120-150 hours of courseworkCannot break skin (no needles)
Paramedics1200-1800 hours of coursework
Medical examiner
THE MEDICAL EXAMINER AND THE CORONER
A medical examiner is a medical doctor, usually a pathologist and is appointed by the governing body of the area. About 400 certified forensic pathologists
A coroner is an elected official who
usually has no special medical training.
MEDICAL EXAMINER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
Identify the deceased
Establish the time and date of death
Determine a medical cause of death (COD)
Determine the mechanism of death
Classify the manner of death
Notify the next of kin
Investigators & Field Technicians
INVESTIGATORS
“The wise forensic investigator will always remember that he must bring all of his life experiences and logic to find the truth. This means common sense, informed intuition, and the courage to see things as they are. Then he must speak honestly about what it adds up to.”
—Dr. Henry Lee Chief Emeritus for Scientific Services and the
former Commissioner of Public Safety for the state of Connecticut
Field TechniciansTrained in a single or multiple fields specializing in processing a crime scene.Almost always with a partner or team
Their actions can “make or break” a case.
Field Tech Specializations
Field technicians can specialize in:Evidence collectionNote takingPhotographyCrime scene sketches/measurements
Videography (relatively new field)