Once the investigator has gathered as much information as possible and made a survey of

the location, the actual crime scene search may begin. Processing a crime scene consists of

the following:

1. Surveying the crime scene

2. Photographing and sketching the crime scene

3. Mapping and measuring the crime scene

4. Recording and documenting the location of physical evidence at the crime scene

5. Searching for fingerprints, DNA, and other physical evidence

As a simple, general rule of thumb, the most fleeting, fragile evidence should be

collected

first. Thus, taking photographs and making crime scene sketches take priority

because crime scenes change with the passage of time and the investigator’s objective is to

make a record of the scene that reflects as closely as possible its original condition.

A systematic search of the crime scene should be conducted. Criminal investigation

texts recommend a variety of search patterns: the strip or lane search, grid search, spiral

search, and quadrant search. Some search patterns lend themselves to outdoor areas, while

others are more appropriate to indoor crime scenes. The important idea to remember is

that thoroughness is the goal of the search plan.*

Indoor crime scene searches are best done with two persons. One easy way of accomplishing

a search in a room is to divide it in half. Each investigator searches one half. After

they have done a thorough search, they switch halves (Figure 5.1).

Outdoor searches often cover greater areas than indoor ones and more searchers may

need to be called upon. Again, a systematic method should be used. The area can be roped

off into grids, each square representing a given search area. A 6 × 6 foot area is a reasonable

size for a detailed and comprehensive search. As in the indoor search, each area should be

double-checked for thoroughness.

* Whatever the search procedure, the “mill around” method is never

Spiral search
Search Patterns

Grid search

Strip or line search Quadrant or zone search