Policy 5/206.12 Crime Scene Investigations

Question 1

The reasons for conducting crime scene investigations are:

Answer 1

To identify, preserve, and collect evidence that tends to prove or disprove that a criminal offense has been committed, and to identify the party or parties responsible.

Question 2

Preliminary Investigations:

The responsibility for conducting the preliminary investigation normally lies with the patrol officer. Since the patrol officer is generally the first officer to arrive on the scene of nearly all major crimes, it is his responsibility to evaluate the circumstances and take immediate decisive action.

True or False?

Answer 2

True.

Question 3

Preliminary Investigations:

When a ranking patrol officer arrives on the scene in a supervisory capacity, he will assume the responsibility for evaluating circumstances and directing and coordinating the efforts of those officers assigned.

True or False?

Answer 3

True.

Question 4

Preliminary Investigations:

Some crimes and incidents, because of their complexity, require expertise and/or time that the patrol officer may not have. To ensure these types of crimes receive the proper investigation, the ranking patrol officer or supervisor assumes the responsibility for evaluating all circumstances related to the investigation and determine the need to request assistance from a detective.

A detective should be requested for the following crimes:

Answer 4

Burglaries over $50,000, larcenies over $75,000, major robberies, kidnaps, extortions, sexual assaults, homicides, questionable deaths, elder or child abuse/neglect or other crimes were investigators or detectives should assist with the follow-up investigations.

Question 5

Preliminary Investigations:

All crimes where the suspect or victim involved may be considered to be a high-profile, of media interest, and LVMPD employee or law-enforcement employee from any jurisdiction;

Answer 5

The section handling the related crime will be notified to determine the need for response and/or follow-up investigation. (i.e. the victim of a robbery is a professional athlete).

Question 6

Preliminary Investigations:

When the crime involves a dignitary or politician who will also be notified?

Answer 6

The Organized Crime Bureau, Criminal Intelligence Section Lieutenant or designee will also be notified.

Question 7

Monday through Friday 1600 – 0600, Holidays, Saturday and Sunday 24 hours a day, detectives from the Violent/Major Crimes Detail will be requested to the scene to begin the preliminary investigation and brief the responding Homicide Section personnel for the following events:

Answer 7

1. Officer Involved Shootings.
2. Homicides.
3. Fire Deaths.
4. In-Custody Deaths.

Question 8

Detectives from the Gang Crimes Bureau will provide the briefing to Homicide if the homicide is believed to be gang-related and the Gang Crimes Bureau is already on scene conducting a preliminary investigation.

True or False?

Answer 8

True.

Question 9

Protecting the Crime Scene and Rendering Aid:

It is imperative that the first officers to arrive on any crime scene prevent the possibility of contamination or alteration of the crime scene and/or the physical evidence present.

This responsibility includes the removal of all unauthorized persons, including officers, from within the perimeters of the crime scene area. A considerable degree of tact and good judgment must be exercised to avoid alienating or driving away potential witnesses or other persons who may possess information of value to the investigation.

First arriving officers will protect the inner and outer perimeter of the crime scene with yellow crime scene tape.

True or false?

Answer 9

True.

Question 10

Protecting the Crime Scene and Rendering Aid:

All crime scenes that are a result of a Homicide, OIS, In-Custody Death, Suspicious Death where the victim has sustained a substantial injury which may be the result of a homicide, RED crime scene tape will also be used to protect the inner perimeter.

Responding detectives from Homicide and/or Violent/Major Crimes or Gang Crimes Bureau will be responsible for the placement of the RED crime scene tape.

ALL personnel regardless of rank MUST obtain authorization from the ranking detective to enter the RED crime scene tape area.

True or False?

Answer 10

True.

Question 11

Protecting the Crime Scene and Rendering Aid:

Each officer regardless of rank at the crime scene must have an investigative need to enter a crime scene or the perimeter of a crime scene prior to it being processed by a crime scene analyst.

Mere curiosity or “for training purposes” will not suffice as a legitimate reason to enter the crime scene.

True or False?

Answer 11

True.

Question 12

Protecting the Crime Scene and Rendering Aid:

A walk-through of a crime scene can be done, only after the scene has been processed by a crime scene analyst, and with the approval from who?

Answer 12

The ranking detective.

Question 13

Protecting the Crime Scene and Rendering Aid:

It is the prime responsibility of the officer first arriving at any crime scene to protect it. It is also of prime importance in crimes against the person involving bodily injury that the first officer on the scene render first aid and/or summon medical assistance.

True or False?

Answer 13

True.

Question 14

Crime Scene Documentation and Reporting:

Accurate documentation of a crime scene is vital to identifying and prosecuting suspects who commit crimes.

The Major Incident Log (LVMPD 437) should be completed by the patrol officer on all scenes were an investigative unit will be responding or conducting a follow-up investigation.

It is vital that the Major Incident Log is completely and accurately filled out, as this is the only record of personnel at a crime scene.

True or False?

Answer 14

True.

Question 15

Crime Scene Documentation and Reporting:

Who is primarily responsible for completing all reports associated with the event, unless relieved of this responsibility by the responding investigating detective?

Answer 15

Patrol Officers.

Question 16

Crime Scene Investigation Control:

The area Sergeant or Lieutenant shall respond to all major incident/scenes and assume command from the ranking patrol officer at the scene.

It will be the responsibility of the area Sergeant, Lieutenant or Incident Commander to evaluate the circumstances and decide the need for the Crime Scene Investigation Section and/or Investigative Services Division/Special Operations Division/Homeland Security Division detectives to respond.

During the hours of 2000 – 0600 Major Crimes should be contacted to assist in the determination of which division/bureau/section detectives would handle the incident/scene.

True or False?

Answer 16

True.

Question 17

Crime Scene Investigation Control:

The watch commander will be notified with the details of all major incidents/scenes by who?

Answer 17

The area Sergeant.

Question 18

Crime Scene Investigation Control:

Personnel, who are working in an acting supervisor capacity, are responsible for duties of the position they are acting in.

True or false?

Answer 18

True.

Question 19

Crime Scene Investigation Control:

After consultation between the area Sergeant, Lieutenant or Incident Commander and the ranking detective it is determined that additional preliminary investigation and/or follow up investigation is required, the ranking detective will assume investigative responsibility for the crime scene.

The area Sergeant, Lieutenant or Incident Commander will assist in coordinating available patrol personnel to maintain the integrity of the crime scene until the investigation is complete or relieved by investigative personnel.

Detectives will keep only the essential number of patrol personnel needed to maintain crime scene integrity during the completion of the investigation.

If follow-up by an investigative bureau/section/detail is not needed, who will retain the investigative responsibility?

Answer 19

The ranking Patrol Officer.

Question 20

Crime Scene Evidence Responsibilities:

Officers/detectives who digitally photographing crime scenes, evidence, victims or suspects will download the photographs into the DIMS system when?

Answer 20

Prior to the end of shift.

Question 21

Officers Assigned to the Investigation:

Upon arrival at the crime scene, officers shall coordinate the preliminary and/or follow-up investigation to ensure that all conditions, events, and remarks are observed and/or recorded; locate and identify witnesses; ensure the crime scene is maintained and evidence protected; interview the complainant and witnesses; interrogate suspects; arrange for the collection of evidence; effect the arrest of criminals; and report the incident fully and accurately.

True or False?

Answer 21

True.

Question 22

Officers Assigned to the Investigation:

In the event of a serious crime against person or property and no photographs are taken or physical evidence recovered, the officer in charge of the scene shall:

Answer 22

Ensure an explanation is included in applicable reports.

Question 23

Homicide Crime Scene Control:

The ranking Robbery/Homicide Bureau Detective at a homicide scene shall be in overall charge of the police activities which occur at the crime scene.

The ranking Crime Scene Investigations member shall be in charge of the collection, marking, recording, and processing of evidentiary material at the crime scene.

True or False?

Answer 23

True.

Question 24

Homicide Crime Scene Control:

Prior to commencing the crime scene investigation, the ranking Robbery/Homicide Bureau Detective and ranking member of the Crime Scene Investigation Section shall confer to determine the actions to be taken by those persons assigned to the scene, including which officers/detectives/crime scene analyst shall be authorized to enter the crime scene perimeter.

Only sufficient personnel absolutely essential to the furtherance of the investigation shall be allowed to enter the interior of the crime scene perimeter.

True or False?

Answer 24

True.

Question 25

Homicide and Suicide Investigations:

All reported deaths were bodily injuries inflicted upon a person to the extent that death is a probability shall be treated as a homicide until an investigation determines otherwise.

True or False?

Answer 25

True.

Question 26

Homicide and Suicide Investigations:

When an apparent suicide occurs and the investigation reveals the possibility that the death may have been due to homicide rather than suicide, the ranking officer in charge on the scene shall immediately notify Robbery/Homicide personnel in the following manner:

Answer 26

Monday through Friday 0600 – 1600 the Homicide Section Lieutenant or designee;

Monday through Friday 1600 – 0600, Holidays, Saturday and Sunday 24 hours a day the on-duty detectives from the Violent/Major Crime Section.

The Homicide Section Lieutenant shall see that the appropriate Homicide detectives are notified.

Question 27

Homicide and Suicide Investigations:

The Director of Crime Scene Investigations shall be notified for incidents involving multiple homicides.

True or false?

Answer 27

True.

Question 28

Homicide and Suicide Investigations:

If at the conclusion of an event where a suspect has been actively pursued by officers on foot or in a vehicle, commits suicide with a firearm, the on-duty to detectives from the Robbery/Homicide Bureau, Violent Crimes Section will be notified and respond to the termination point to conduct the suicide investigation.

A countdown will be performed by the investigating detectives of all involved officers firearms who were present at the termination point when/where the suicide occurred.

True or False?

Answer 28

True.

Question 29

Notification of Coroner:

Notification to the Corner’s Office will be done via Communications according to cause of death, by the listed units:

Answer 29

1. All suicides, overdoses, natural or accidental death - by the ranking Patrol Officer in charge at the scene.
2. All homicides and questionable deaths – by the ranking Robbery/Homicide Bureau Detective in charge at the scene.