Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation

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No two crime scenes are the same, and each scene presents a unique set of obstacles to overcome.

While there is no one "right" way to handle every situation, the goal of collecting evidence while preserving its integrity remains the constant motivation of the crime scene investigator.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Police Goals and Objectives

Evidence Defined

The Interpretive Value of Evidence

Good Crime Scene Examination and Integrity Issues

Investigative Ethics

UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

Class and Individual Characteristics

Fingerprint Evidence

Serology and Biological Evidence

Trace Evidence

Hairs and Fibers

Glass

Paints and Polymers

Soils

Gunshot Residues (GSR)

Firearms and Ballistic Evidence

Tool Mark Evidence

Impression Evidence

General Chemical Evidence

Document Evidence

Computer Forensics

Forensic Pathology

ACTIONS OF THE INITIAL RESPONDING OFFICER

Specific Objectives of the Initial Response

Documenting Initial Information

Officer Safety

Emergency Care

Secure and Control the Crime Scene

Release the Scene to Appropriate Authorities

PROCESSING METHODOLOGY

Basic Activities of Scene Processing

Assessing

Observing

Documenting

Searching

Collecting

Processing/Analyzing

A Processing Model

Step 1 - Initial Notification

Step 2 - Coordination, Assessment and Callout

Step 3 - Conduct Initial Observations

Step 4 - Deal with Deceased

Step 5 - Photograph the Scene

Step 6 - Document Overall Observations

Step 7 - Sketch the Scene

Step 8 - Conduct a First Recheck

Step 9 - Release the

Step 10 - Collect Evidence

Step 11 - Conduct a Second Recheck

Step 12 - Conduct a Third Recheck

Step 13 - Check Beyond the Scene

Step 14 - Conduct an On-Scene Debriefing

Step 15 - Release or Retain the Scene

Step 16 - Process and Package Evidence

Step 17 - Conduct a Formal Debriefing

ASSESSING THE SCENE

Debriefing the Responding Officer

Scene Scope and Boundary Assessment

Scene Integrity and Contamination Control

Managing Access

Defining Team Composition

Crime Scene Search Considerations

Search Patterns

Circle or Spiral Search

Strip and Line Search

Grid Search

Zone Search

Point-to-Point Search

Personal Protective Measures and Hazard Identification

Biohazard Risks

Structural Hazards in Fire and Explosion Scenes

Chemical Inhalation Hazards in Fire Scenes

Inhalation, Chemical, or Fire Hazards from Scene-Processing Techniques

Chemical and Bioterror Hazards

Considerations for Mass Scenes and Mass Casualty Situations

Pre-Event Considerations of Crime Scene Supervisors

Practical On-Scene Considerations for the Mass Scene

Managing the Media

CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY

Recurring Problems In Crime Scene Photographs

Identification Problems

Orientation Problems

Confusion Problems

Incomplete Documentation

Types and Purpose of Crime Scene Photographs

Overall Photographs

Evidence-Establishing Photographs

Evidence Close-Up Photographs

Basic Photography Issues

Video Photography

CRIME SCENE SKETCHING AND MAPPING

Essential Elements of a Sketch

Variations in View in Sketches

Methods of Crime Scene Mapping

Rectangular Coordinates

Triangulation

Baseline Coordinates

Polar Coordinates

Triangulation or Rectangular Coordinates on a Grid

Triangulation on a Baseline

Total-Station Mapping

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTIONS: CRIME SCENE NOTES AND REPORTS

Notes

Crime Scene Reports

Introduction Section

Characteristics of the Scene

Conditions of the Scene

Environmental Conditions

Factors Pertinent to Entry and Exit

Scene Documentation

Collection of Physical Evidence

Search for Latent Fingerprints

Addition Examinations

General Conditions

BASIC SKILLS FOR CRIME SCENE PROCESSING

Applying Light Technology

Shortwave Ultraviolet Light (180 to 254 nm)

Longwave Ultraviolet Light (365 to 415 nm)

Near-UV and Violet Light (415 to 485 nm)

Crime Scene Search and Blue Light (485 to 530 nm)

Orange-Red (570 to 700 nm)

Infrared (700 to 2000 nm)

Heat Energy and Thermal Imaging (12,000 nmm)

Choosing an Alternative Light Source

Recovering Fingerprints

Surface Characteristics

On-Scene Fingerprinting Techniques

Casting Impression Evidence

Rubber Casting Compounds

Electrostatic Lifting Devices

Plaster and Dental-Stone Casting Techniques

Gelatin and Other Adhesive Lifters

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES FOR SCENE PROCESSING

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Directionality and Impact Angle

Categorizing Bloodstain Patterns

Documenting Bloodstain Patterns

Presumptive Tests for Bloodstains

Luminol Enhancement of Latent Bloodstains

Fluorescence in Enhancement of Latent Bloodstains

Amido-Black Enhancement of Latent Bloodstains

Bullet Trajectory Analysis

Internal Ballistics

Terminal Ballistics

External Ballistics

Bullet Defect Verification

Defining the Bullet Impact Angle Based on Defect Shape

Direction of Fire

Use of Trajectory Rods and Lasers to Demonstrate Bullet Flight Paths

Trajectory Analysis Documentation

SPECIAL SCENE CONSIDERATIONS

Fire Scenes

Fire Patterns

Problems Associated with Fire Scenes

Fire Scene Methodology

Landfill Recoveries

Problems Associated with Landfill Recoveries

Landfill Recovery Methodology

Buried and Scattered Remains

Buried Bodies

Scattered Remains

Entomological Evidence Associated with Bodies

THE ROLE OF CRIME SCENE ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION

A History of the Concept of Crime Scene Reconstruction

Crime Scene Reconstruction Methodology

Scientific Method Used to Resolve a Specific Investigative Question

Event Analysis - Reconstructing Entire Events

APPENDIX A - CRIME SCENE EQUIPMENT

Basic Kits

Fingerprint Kit

Photography Kit

Casting Kit

Mapping and Sketching Kit

Personal Protective Gear

Scene-Integrity Equipment

Evidence Collection Tools

Evidence Collection Containers

Lighting Equipment

Additional Kits

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis/Enhancement Kit

Trajectory Analysis Kit

APPENDIX B - RISK MANAGEMENT

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