Investigations of Crime Scenes

• There is no typical crime scene, there is no typical body of evidence and

there is no typical investigation approach.

• (PO#A1) =A crime scene is a location where a crime look place (or another
location where evidence of the crime may be found), and comprises the
area from which most of the physical evidence is retrieved by law
enforcement personnel, crime scene investigators (CSls) or in rare
circumstances, forensic scientists. Crime scenes may or may not be where
the crime was committed.

• (PO#A2)= Evidence, broadly construed, is anything presented ln support of

an assertion. This Support may be strong or weak. The strongest type of
evidence is that which provides direct proof of the truth of an assertion.
At the other extreme is evidence that is merely consistent with an
assertion but does not rule out other, contradictory assertions, as in
circumstantial evidence.
• Assertion means=a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief.
• Once you have answered your initial concerns, you will start to
make a plan on how you will start to conduct the crime scene.

• The safety and physical well-being of officers and other individuals,

in and around the crime scene, are the initial responding officer(s)
first priority. The responding officer(s) should:

• Approach the scene in a manner designed to reduce risk of harm to

officer while
• maximizing the safety of victims, witnesses, and others in the area.
• Survey the scene for dangerous persons and control the situation.
• Notify supervisory personnel and call for assistance/backup.
 Conducting the Initial Survey of a Crime
Scene.
• (PO#B 1) When making an initial
observation of a scene, is it a crime? If so
remember, the best search option are
typically the most time consuming. You can
never over document the physical evidence.
The initial search is the one chance to
perform the search correctly.
• (PO#B 2) Make sure you have the correct
equipment and supplies to process the crime
scene. Start with the plan you have made to
conduct the search. Documentation of a
crime scene is extremely important. Do not
touch, move or alter any evidentiary item
until you document the scene.
 Photographing Crime Scenes
• (PO3B 3) Photographs should be taken as
soon as possible, to depict the scene as it is
observed before anything is handled, moved,
or initiated into the scene. The photographs
allow a visual permanent record of the crime
scene and items of evidence collected from
the crime scene,
• (PO3B 3) A second photograph adding a
measuring devise should be taken of items
where the photo will assist in the analytical
process.
 Crime Scene Diagram.

• (PO#B 3i) Prepare a diagram/sketch of the scene.

• 1. A diagram establishes a permanent record of; items, conditions
and distance/size relationships. Diagrams supplement photographs
and videos.
• 2. A rough sketch is drawn at the scene and changes are not made
once you-have left the scene.
• Sketches should contain sufficient measurements, locations of
• evidence items and details to be used as a model for a drawn to scale
• diagram.
• Take accurate and consistent measurements and triangulate for exact
distance.
• Follow all department procedures for completing a sketch/diagram.
• Key elements of crime scene sketch: They should include the date
and time; scale; reference points; distance measurements; the
names of investigators, victims, and suspects; and a legend.
 Field notes:
• Field notes: (PO#B 4I)
• Refers to notes created by the note taker during the investigation
of fieldwork to remember and record the behaviors, activities,
events, and other features of an observation.

• Field notes are intended to be used as the basis to produce

meaning and an understanding! of the event, or crime scene.

• The notes maybe an observation, statements (s) and any other

information to assist in the preparation of reports.

• Notes need to be accurate and organized for preparing an official

report. (Follow your department policy on note taking and
destruction of notes)
 Search method
•Strip Search: (lower left picture) Commonly used when searching a large area looking for a
large object.
•Several Explorers will stand in one long line and all walk the same direction. Stakes and
string (Flags feature a metal stake to mark an outdoor crime) can also be used to create
‘Lanes” for which each Explorer would be responsible.

•Grid Search: (Upper right) This is the most thorough search technique. Similar to a strip
search but also done in opposite directions.

•Elevation Zone Search: This type of search is used with indoor crime scene where evidence
may be on the walls or in the ceiling (example: bullet holes, blood splatters etc.)

•Zone Search: (lower right) The Team Leader should observe and supervise the search while
other team members perform the search. With a zone search items are unlikely to be
missed.

•Spiral Search: (upper left) Commonly used when looking for an object that is suspected to
be a specific distance from another, for example: shell casing from a gun or an object
thrown by hand from a specific location, but thrown in an unknown direction. A stake in
the center with a string attached will assure proper distance and avoid overlapping already
searched areas or missing areas not yet searched.
(Survey/Search methods for Crime Scene Evidence (PO# C 1-4)

• The purpose of crime scene investigation is to help

establish what happened (crime scene reconstruction) and
to identify the responsible person. This is done by carefully
documenting the conditions at a crime scene and
recognizing all relevant physical evidence. The ability to
recognize and properly collect physical evidence is
oftentimes critical to both solving and prosecuting violent
crimes. It is no exaggeration to say that in the majority of
cases, the law enforcement officer who protects and
searches a crime scene plays a critical role in determining
whether physical evidence will be used in solving or
prosecuting violent crimes.
• Types of crime scene searches:
 Precautions at the scene
• Crime Scene Evidence (PO# D 1-3)
• Items of physical crime scene evidence are not
always visible to the naked eye and may be easily
overlooked, A deliberate, methodical, disciplined
approach to collection and preservation of evidence is
essential.

• One exception may be lf crime scene evidence

integrity is at risk, and under those circumstances It is
important that rapid decisions be made to
• prevent its degradation and/or loss.
 Preservation of Evidence
• Preservation of Evidence From crime scene to
forensic laboratory to courtroom, all evidence
must be inventoried and secured to preserve its
integrity. Crime scene evidence admissibility ln
court is predicated upon an unbroken chain or
custody. it is important to demonstrate that the
evidence introduced at trial is the same
evidence collected at the crime scene, and that
access was controlled and documented.
 Chain-of- CustodyForm /care/used for
packaging evidences)
• An understanding of. The rules governing chain-of-custody
is vital for an investigator. For example, in a sexual. Assault
incident, the victim ls typically transported to another
location to have a sexual assault examination performed.
Many jurisdictions have established teams to perform
these examinations, and they go by several names such as:
sexual Assault Victim Examination (S.A.V.E.), sexual
Assault-Nurse Examiner (S.A.N.E), sexual assault Response
Team (S.A.R.T) . The examination involves the collection of
the victims clothing, hair samples, swabs for body fluids,
and documentation of bruising and bite-marks. The
materials collected are packaged by the team members.
 Chain-of-Custody
• The evidence ls marked and packaged for submission to a
department's property and evidence section. This may start
by placing evidence ln a locker or bin (agency policy and
storage capabilities). Generally, submissions to the forensic
laboratory are done on a request for analysis form, listing the
evidence items, and a documented chain of custody. Each
individual assuming custody of the evidence from collection
through analysis signs the chain of custody document. Some
departments have automated this process using an
information management system, whereby all transfers are
securely done using barcodes. The chain of custody report (or
the form used for packaging) will identify each individual
contributing to the analysis of the evidentiary materials.
• Contraband:-Contraband in correctional
facilities includes illegal items, such as drugs
and weapons, or items prohibited in the area
being monitored, such as cell phones
Chain-of-Custody Biological Fluids and stain(e.g. discoloration coused by blood):

• Crime Scene Evidence continued: ( PO#D1-3) Since blood

and other body fluid evidence ls biological and is rapidly
decomposed by bacteria and mold, it ls absolutely
essential that such evidence ls handled properly.
Remember safety measures for biological hazards. Always
wear disposable gloves when handling material stained
with blood or other body fluids. Check with your agency's
safety protocols for biological hazards.

• All items should be sealed and labeled for identification

per your department policy. Evidence collection materials
such as envelopes, bags, etc. will dictate how you package
fluids and stains.
 Chain of custody rape
•Crime Scene Evidence continued: ( PO#D1-3) Evidence
normally collected in rape or sodomy cases includes a
variety of samples which are relatively constant from case
to case.

•In the case of a violent crime such as a sexual assault,

attention may be directed to the clothing and the person of
the victim(s) and the suspect(s). An investigator might find
body fluids, stains, torn clothing, fingerprints, fibers, hair,
and other trace materials ln the areas where the attack
took place. Potential crime scene evidence such as saliva,
bite marks,
•semen, hair, skin tissue under the flinger nails, and other
trace materials may be found on the victim(s).
• Transferred evidence such as cosmetics, vaginal fluid, hair from the
victim, and blood may also be found on the suspect. Once potential
evidence ls located and documented, the next step 's to collect and
package the items ln a manner that prevents contamination, loss, and
deleterious change.

• Potential crime scene evidence such as saliva, bite marks,

• semen, hair, skin tissue under the flinger nails, and other trace
materials may be found on the victim(s).

• Transferred evidence such as cosmetics, vaginal fluid, hair from the

victim, and blood may also be found on the suspect. Once potential
evidence ls located and documented, the next step 's to collect and
package the items ln a manner that prevents contamination, loss, and
deleterious change.
 Biological Fluids and Stains:
-Stains on Garments or Fabrics

• Make sure that all stains and clothing are DRYI If the stain ls
wet, it must be air dried away from heat and sunlight,
preferably in a secure, ventilated room. The victims Items
should be separated from those Of the suspect during drying.

• Package each item-m separately to avoid contamination and

ln paper to avoid further decomposition. Paper bags are
recommended. DO NOT USE PLASTIC since plastic does not
"breathe" and holds ln molstu.re, permitting bacterial and
fungal growth.
• Avoid unnecessary handling. Of garments with blood or
seminal stains.
 Chain-of-Custody fire arms
• Firearms: Always unload a firearm when it is placed into
evidence. Always unload the firearm before submitting it
for evidence. If the firearm is a revolver, indicate the
position of the cylinder as well as the chamber from which
each cartridge or cartridge case was unloaded. This can be
done by etching the cylinder on each side of the top strap
(that part of the frame directly above the cylinder) and
numbering each cartridge or cartridge case as it is removed.
A Diagram indicating cartridge/Cartridge case positions
should be made and submitted with the firearm.

• All items should be sealed and labeled for identification

 Chain-of-Custody hair and fiber
• Hair s a common type of evidence found ln a variety of different types of
criminal cases,

• 1. Since hair evidence ls generally small in nature, care should be taken to

protect evidence from loss or contamination.

• 2. Several methods could be used ln the detecting of hair evidence: visual

searches, alternate light sources and searches with additional magnification.

• 3. For hair evidence this could include: picking, scraping, combing, or

vacuuming. 4. If the location of a foreign hair is important, they should be
collected and packaged separately.

• 5. Wrap clothing or evidence items separately.

• All items should be sealed and labeled for identification

 Chain of Custody for Evidence
• PO# 5) Proof of a chain of custody is required when the evidence that is sought to
be introduced at trial is not unique or where the relevance of the evidence
depends on its analysis after seizure. A proper chain of custody requires three
types of testimony

• Testimony that a piece of evidence is what it purports to be (for example, a

litigant's blood sample);

• (2) Testimony of continuous possession by each individual who has had

possession of the evidence from the time it is seized until the time it is presented
in court;

• (3)Testimony by each person who has had possession that the particular piece of
evidence remained in substantially the same condition from the moment one
person took possession until the moment that person released the evidence into
the custody of another (for example, testimony that the evidence was stored in a
secure location where no one but the person in custody had access to it).
 Chain of Custody for Evidence

• Proving chain of custody is necessary to "lay a foundation" for the

evidence in question, by showing the absence of alteration,
substitution, or change of condition. Specifically, foundation
testimony for tangible evidence requires that exhibits be identified
as being in substantially the same condition as they were at the
time the evidence was seized, and that the exhibit has remained in
that condition through an unbroken chain of custody.
• For example, suppose that in a prosecution for possession of illegal
narcotics, police sergeant A recovers drugs from the defendant; A
gives police officer B the drugs; B then gives the drugs to police
scientist C, who conducts an analysis of the drugs; C gives the drugs
to police detective D, who brings the drugs to court. The testimony
of A, B, C, and D constitute a "chain of custody" for the drugs, and
the prosecution
 Chain of Custody for Evidence
• would need to offer testimony by each person in the chain to establish
both the condition and identification of the evidence, unless the
defendant stipulated as to the chain of custody in order to save time,
• Chain of custody need not be demonstrated for every piece of tangible
evidence that is accepted into the trial court's record. Physical evidence
that is readily identifiable by the witness might not need to be
• supported by chain-of-custody proof. For example, no chain-of-custody
foundation is required for items that are imprinted with a serial number
or inscribed with initials by an officer who collected the evidence.
Similarly, items that are inherently distinctive or memorable (for
example, a holdup note written in purple crayon) might be sufficiently
unique and identifiable that they establish the integrity of the evidence.
 Classification of evidence
• Evidence is depend on result divide into
• Corpus-delict evidence and associative
evidences
• based on feature testimonial and physical
evidence
• Based on nature 4 – biological, chemical,
physical& miscellaneous evidences