crime scene processing Flashcards
locates exchange principle
every contact leaves a trace
basic principles to apply at the scene
- arriving at the scene-initial response/prioritisation of efforts
- preliminary documentation and evaluation of the scene
- processing the scene
- completing and recording the crime scene investigation
- crime scene equipment
initial response/ prioritisation of efforts
- Initial Response/Receipt of Information
- Safety Procedures
- Emergency Care
- Secure and Control Persons at the Scene
- Establish and Preserve Scene Boundaries
- Transfer Control of the Scene to the Investigator(s) in Charge
- Document Actions and Observations at the Scene
preliminary documentation and evaluation of the scene
- conduct scene assessment
- conduct scene ‘walk-through’ and initial documentation
conduct scene assessment
- Talk to the first responder regarding his/her observations/activities. Introduce yourself and explain role. Obtain information scene boundaries. previously chosen pathway.
- Evaluate safety issues for personnel entering the scene.
Re-evaluate and modify as necessary
PPE
Evaluate search and seizure issues. Determine the need for: -consent to search. -search warrant. -prosecutorial/legal -resources.
Evaluate/establish the path of scene entry/exit.
Establish pathway by reassessing and modifying, as necessary, the chosen pathway. Ensure that authorized personnel are informed of any modifications
Evaluate initial scene boundaries.
appropriateness of the initial scene boundaries.
areas where the crime occurred are secure.
areas that are potential points and paths of entry/exit of suspects/witnesses are secure.
areas where victim(s)/evidence may have moved or been moved are secure.
Make modifications as necessary.
Determine the size and number of scene(s).
Prioritize the steps in the scene investigation(s).
Allocate current resources.
crime scene management
Establish a secure area for temporary evidence storage.
Evaluate environmental factors that could effect degradation/loss of evidence when selecting a secure area for temporary evidence storage.
Establish a secure area for temporary storage for evidence.
Determine additional resource requirements.
Determine the need for: -additional investigative resources.
-specialized units.
-legal consultation.
-specialized equipment/supplies.
Request additional resources as determined.
Ensure scene integrity/security.
Maintain scene entry/exit documentation.
Ensure preliminary documentation/photography.
Photograph or document conditions that may change.
Photograph or document persons, including injuries or lack thereof.
conduct scene walk through and initial documentation
Minimize scene contamination.
Use established entry/exit points and pathway.
PPE prior to entry.
Conduct walk-through
Prepare preliminary documentation.
Identify and protect fragile/perishable evidence.
Evaluate crowds/hostile environment(s)
Evaluate weather conditions
Identify fragile/perishable evidence.
Ensure documentation/photography and collection of fragile/perishable evidence
processing the scene
- Determine Team Composition
- Ensure Contamination Control
- Document the Scene
- Prioritize Collection of Evidence
- Collect, Preserve, Inventory, Package, Transport, and Submit Evidence
determined team composition
Assess the need for additional personnel.
Specific crimes may require other specialized personnel (e.g., pathologist, blood pattern analysis specialist, police divers, anthropologist, forensic nurse etc. etc.)
-Assess forensic needs.
Determine what forensic specialists are needed (see above)
-Determine what specialized equipment is needed
team management
Ensure scene(s) security.
- Identify the individual responsible for maintaining entry/exit documentation.
- Maintain entry/exit documentation.
- Maintain security of scene boundaries.
Select qualified person(s) for specialized tasks.
- Identify photographic needs (e.g., aerial, underwater). Identify sketch/other needs.
- Identify special evidence collection needs
Document team member assignments.
- Establish task priority.
- Assign tasks to team members.
- Record member responsibilities.
- Ensure that assigned tasks are completed.
ensure contamination control
- Limit scene access to people directly involved in scene processing.
- Follow established entry/exit pathways at the scene.
- collection of elimination and control samples.
- secure area for trash and equipment.
- Use single-use equipment for direct collection of biological samples.
- PPE
- Clean/sanitize/dispose of tools/equipment between evidence collections.
document the scene
- Determine the type of documentation necessary
- Coordinate documentation of the scene.
- Photograph
- Videotape
- preliminary sketch(es) and take measurements.
- notes
prioritise collection of evidence
- methodical evaluation considering all physical evidence possibilities.
- Focus first on easily accessible areas in open view
- systematic search pattern for evidence collection.
- Select a progression of processing/collection methods.
- assess environmental and other factors that may affect evidence.
- Be aware of multiple scenes.
- Recognize other methods that are available to locate, technically document, and collect evidence.
collect, preserve, inventory, package, transport and submit evidence
- Maintain scene security
- Document the type, location, date, and who collected the evidence.
- Collect items identified as evidence
- Maintain chain of custody.
- Obtain reference/control samples from the scene.
- Obtain elimination samples (as necessary).
- Identify and secure evidence in proper containers.
- Document the description and condition of evidence such as firearms/weapons (prior to rendering them safe).
- Avoid excessive handling of evidence after it is collected.
- Maintain evidence at the scene in a manner designed to diminish degradation/loss.
- Transport and submit evidence for secure storage.
strip or lane search method
- covering large open areas
- personnel will line up shoulder to shoulder and move slowly along parallel
