Crime Secne Protection and Search Flashcards
The cadet will explain and demonstrate how to provide protection at the scene of a crime and conduct a search of that scene under simulated field conditions.
The cadet will identify considerations for establishing a crime scene perimeter, to
include:
♦ Determination of perimeter boundaries
• Ensure the perimeter encloses all areas to be searched
• If unsure , make the perimeter larger rather than smaller, you can always
scale back later
The cadet will identify the responsibility of the first officer on the scene, to include:
♦ Ensure the scene is safe ♦ Initiate first aid if needed ♦ Call for ambulance/paramedics/doctor if needed ♦ Preserve as much of the crime scene as possible while attending to injured person/victim ♦ Identify witnesses ♦ Protect the scene ♦ Identify suspects if possible ♦ Broadcast information ♦ Preserve fast lived evidence
The cadet will identify the need for specialized assistance at a crime scene which may
include:
♦ Ambulance, doctor, or paramedic ♦ Utility companies/departments (gas, electric, water) ♦ K-9 for evidence or suspect search ♦ Fire department ♦ SWAT teams ♦ Bomb disposal teams ♦ Specialized crime scene units ♦ Medical examiner ♦ Hazardous materials experts
The cadet will list the following items an officer should attempt to determine through
observation of the crime scene prior to actually entering the scene:
♦ The crime committed ♦ How the crime was committed ♦ The route the suspect used ♦ Apparent physical evidence ♦ Special equipment needed to collect and preserve evidence
♦ The crime committed
- Weapons present
- Tools such as pry bars etc.
- Blood stains
- General look of the scene
- Witnesses and/or victims
- Determine if the crime is still in progress
♦ How the crime was committed
- Weapons present
- Tools such as pry bars etc.
- Blood stains
- General look of the scene
- Witnesses and/or victims
♦ The route the suspect used
- Witnesses
- Footprints
- Blood drop trail
- Tire prints
- Others
♦ Special equipment needed to collect and preserve evidence
- Fingerprints
- Blood stains/spatter
- Photography
The cadet will identify seven major considerations involving crime scene searches:
♦ Protection of the scene ♦ Boundary determination ♦ Choice of search pattern ♦ Instruction of personnel ♦ Coordination of personnel ♦ Termination of search ♦ Documentation
Given an exercise simulating a crime scene, where a legally authorized search is
permissible, the cadet will demonstrate the following concepts:
♦ Protection of the crime scene
♦ Locate the pre-designated physical evidence through the use of an organized
search method such as a strip, spiral, grid, or zone method.
♦ Track a crime suspect by following footprints, tire prints, or other evidence as
indicated
♦ Protection of the crime scene
• Protection of evidence
Physical protection such as covering the evidence if necessary
Photograph evidence in place before being collected
Minimize unnecessary contact with the evidence before it is collected
♦ Protection of the crime scene
• Authorized/unauthorized entry to the crime scene
Keep an entry/exit log of people entering and exiting the scene
Keep unauthorized persons out of the crime scene perimeter. This
may include other officers who have no need to be there.
♦ Protection of the crime scene
• Duration of protection
Long enough for the crime scene to be searched and all evidence to be
collected
♦ Protection of the crime scene
• Determination of perimeter
Make sure the perimeter covers all areas to be searched
If not sure, make the perimeter larger rather than smaller, you can
always scale back later
Locate the pre-designated physical evidence through the use of an organized
search method such as a strip, spiral, grid, or zone method.
• The physical evidence will minimally include Elements of crime Instruments of the crime Contraband Clues to identify suspect
