Crime Scene Examination

Question 1

Crime Scene Management - O/C Scene

Answer 1

Crime Scene Management - O/C Scene

• Controlling, freezing and preserving the scene and ensuring it is safe.
• Briefing staff on their duties
• Coordinating and overseeing the crime scene examination
• Providing and communication link between the scene and the O/C Investigation.
• Ensuring the scene is photographed, fingerprinted, and examined by specialists before it is searched
• Establishing a common approach path between the Police cordon and scenes focal point.
• Conducting a reconnaissance to gain an overall picture of the scene and testing possible reconstructions
• Planning a strategy for forensic examination
• Uplifting, inspecting and ensuring delivery of labelled exhibits to the exhibit recorder.
• Proving relevant exhibits in Court.

Question 2

Objectives of a Crime Scene Examination

Answer 2

Objectives of a Crime Scene Examination

• Establish if an offence has been committed
• Establish the offence’s key elements and provide facts for the basis of an inquiry
• Identify the suspect and establish contact with the victim or scene
• Identify people associated with the offence
• Exonerate the innocent
• Corroborate or contest a witness or victim account
• Verify confessions or admissions
• Exclude possible defences
• Corroborate or exclude other evidence relating to the offence

Question 3

What is a reconnassaince?

Answer 3

CONDUCT A RECONNASSAINCE

A preliminary inspection or survey made to get an overall picture of the scene without disturbing the evidence.

PURPOSE OF RECONNASSAINCE – Is to conduct a preliminary reconstruction, make an appreciation and plan the action to be taken.

Question 4

What are the steps for conducting a reconnassaince?

Answer 4

MAKING A RECONNASSAINCE – Steps for conducting a reconnaissance

• Gather all information
• Create a common approach
• Sketch Plan
• Note and Act – What can alter my scene?
• Reconsider boundaries
• Consider: Hot, warm, cold zones

CONDUCTING RECONNAISANCE - Follow these steps to ensure a reconnaissance is meaningful;

• Gather all information from the staff present and from prelim. Interviews with victim etc.
• Create a common approach pathway and look over the whole area without touching it. Look for;
  
  • The offender’s routes in and out of the scene, points of entry and exit and the seat of activity; and
  • Extensions to the scene; and
  • Obvious evidence.
• Sketch the scene and briefly note anything of significance. Don’t worry about detail at this stage.
• Note and be prepared to cope with anything that may damage/affect evidence (Note & Act)
• Reconsider and confirm the scenes boundaries
• Consider the placement of HOT, WARM AND COLD zones.

Question 5

What should a scene strategy cover?

Answer 5

FORUMLATING A CRIME SCENE EXAM. STRATEGY – Conduct Appreciation, Formulate Plan, Always Review.

The plan or strategy/covers;

• The placement of zones (hot, warm, cold)
• Protection methods to ensure no contamination
• How exhibits are going to be handled
• A logical and systematic search approach
• The starting place of the examination
• Likelihood of evidence deteriorating
• Individual tasks and areas of responsibility
• Any specialists required
• Recording system to be used

Question 6

What steps should be taken relating to exhibit handling at a scene?

Answer 6

Exhibits - Packaging

Follow these steps to package exhibits as they are taken.

Step 1:

• Consider photographing the exhibit in situ before uplifting.
• Package, seal and label exhibits as soon as they are taken.

Note: Where possible, take the packaging to the item and not the item to the packaging. Do not reuse packaging and other containers.

Step 2:

• Securely seal all packaging and containers with adhesive tape on all edges and sign across the tape. (Staples should not be used).
• Ensure the packaging is appropriate for the item. For example, items for fingerprinting should be packaged so that the item surface does not rub against the inside of the package.

Do not reopen after sealing until examination stage.

Step 3:

The finder of the exhibit attaches an exhibit label to the outside of the item’s packaging i_ncluding these details_:

• exhibit number
• description of item collected
• location of the item
• time and date found / collected
• name of person from whom exhibit was seized (if applicable)
• By whom collected.

Step 4:

Store and transport control samples and items from each suspect / victim / scene in separate outer containers (e.g. large paper sacks).