Field Protocols and Procedures Flashcards
what are the ten points concerning human remains?
- the remains are usually found by accident
- old scenes can still be recovered
- recovery is difficult
- case is already cold
- law enforcement is not trained to handle decomposed remains
- scene is always larger than it appears
- goal is 100% recovery
- archaeology techniques are used
- contextual clues are important
- recovery is destructive
what are the goals of search and recovery?
- find the remains with invasive techniques
- secure the scene so evidence is untainted
- record where remains are found
- record relationships to various elements of the scene
- discover method of disposal
- properly remove evidence
- map scene so it can be reconstructed later
who has jurisdiction of a scene?
law enforcement
who has jurisdiction of the body
medical examiner
do forensic anthropologists have jurisdiction?
no, but they can have custody
enclosed scene
any scene where the body is confined to a known area like a house or car
open scene
scene where the body is found within an unbounded area like the woods, can be scattered
surface scatter
open scene, remains are not buried, can be separated
burials
can be opened or closed, can be single, multiple, or mass
what are the inclinations of human remains?
surface depression/mound soil color vegetation scavenging evidence
non-invasive search methods
not destructive to the scene satellite/aerial imaging remote sensing line and grid searches cadaver dogs
satellite and aerial imaging
can be before arriving at the scene
works best for large areas
may be helpful in narrowing down the aerial imaging
what are the types of search patterns?
line search, grid search, and circular search
remote sensing
non-invasive techniques looks for graves without disturbing the ground ground penetrating radar magnetometry infrared photography cadaver dogs
invasive search methods
irreversibly alter the scene
soil probes, test pits, and trenches
potentially can damage evidence
what do you do when searching for remains?
flag the remains and evidence
look for flag patterns
photograph the flagged evidence
record and map positions
what should you note about finding the remains?
searching and excavating a scene causes permanent damage
cannot go back to find new info
what should be documented while searching?
maps, field notes, and photographs
what are the two questions to ask about the scene?
where are the remains in space?
what is the relationship of the remains to each other and other landmarks at the scene
what should you do when mapping remains?
- set up a datum and indicate on the map
- establish a grid
- measure between objects and flags and note on a map
- photograph everything
excavating remains
conducted once a grid has been established
use archaeology techniques
screen to remove dirt and look at smaller evidence
map, document, and photograph everything
what are the general rules for removing remains?
- do not remove remains until every skeletal element has been photographed and its location is measured and mapped
- move and lift the remains the smallest distance possible
- do not contaminate the scene while moving biological evidence
- place the skeletal remains in a body bag, evidence bag, or a clean sheet and secure it
- place the hands of the decedent, if they are still articulated, in paper prior to moving the remains
what is the custody of the remains after recovery?
- the medical examiner takes initial custody
- release to human ID lab
- return back to the medical examiner
