CRJ 311: Forensic Science

Lecture 2 - The Crime Scene

1. At the Crime Scene
a. Forensic science begins at the crime scene.
i. Provides useful information…
b. If the crime scene is not treated carefully, what happens?
c. Crime scenes offer a wealth of physical evidence to be collected.

2. Physical Evidence
a. What is physical evidence?

b. What do crime laboratories “run” on?

c. If physical evidence is to be used effectively in aiding the investigator, what do we have to
do?

3. Principles of Crime Scene Investigation

a. Golden Rule of the Crime Scene:

b. What are the five principles of crime scene investigation?

4. Securing and Isolating the Scene “First Officer on Scene”

a. Render first aid to injured and arrest any suspects.
b. Request other officers assist doing what?
c. Set up perimeter.
d. Control scene:

5. Securing and Isolating the Scene “Detectives”

a. Generally, respond to major cases such as:

b. Take control of crime scene from who?

c. Do they work closely with CSI or crime lab?

6. Securing and Isolating the Scene “Crime Scene Investigators”

a. Responsible for identification, collection and transportation of evidence to crime lab.
b. Planned Approach to the Crime Scene:

7. Searching the Scene for Evidence

a. Who is responsible for coordinating the search of a crime scene?

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 b. For major cases where the evidence is very complicated, a crime scene investigator may be
called to handle.
c. The area(s) to be searched will often be determined by the:

8. Searching the Scene for Evidence

a. There are four basic methods for searching that are universally accepted:
i. Spiral:
ii. Parallel:
iii. Grid:
iv. Zone:

9. Searching Beyond the Scene “Medical Examiner – Toxicology”

a. The search for physical evidence often extends beyond the crime scene when a body is
involved.
i. What is the role of the medical examiner or coroner?
ii. Why are tissues and organs retained?

10. Searching Beyond the Scene “Medical Examiner – Toxicology”

a. The following items are to be collected and sent to the forensic laboratory:

11. Recording the Scene

a. A well-documented scene ensures what?
b. How do we document a crime scene?

12. Recording the Scene “Note Taking”

a. The crime scene investigator will take detailed notes of the description of the scene,
location of evidence and any other important observations including smells.
b. Is note taking vital?
c. Good note taking of evidence includes:

13. Recording the Scene “Photos and Video”

a. Photographs:

b. Videotape:

14. Recording the Scene “Sketches”

a. Once the photographs are taken, the crime scene investigator will sketch the scene.
i. Rough sketch:

ii. Finished sketch:

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 15. Benefits of CAD Software
a. What are the benefits?

16. Collecting and Packaging Evidence

a. The collection of evidence should always be prioritized to minimize what?
i. What do the investigators do with the collected evidence?
ii. What types of fragile evidence must be collected first?
iii. What are good containers for most evidence?

17. Collecting and Packaging Evidence “Special Considerations”

a. Dry wet items:
b. Clothing with trace evidence:
c. Firearms:
d. Arson evidence:
e. Adhesive tape:
f. Vacuum cleaner:

18. Collecting and Packaging Evidence “Obtaining Standard/Reference Samples”

a. What types of evidence requires a standard/reference sample?
b. Buccal swabs:

19. Collecting and Packaging Evidence “Labeling and Chain of Custody”

a. Labeling:

b. Chain of custody:

20. Maintaining the Chain of Custody

a. Chain of custody extends beyond packaging and marking the evidence at the scene. It also
includes:
i. Evidence storage clerk:

ii. Full documentation:

iii. CSI:

21. Crime Scene Safety

a. Increased threat of what poses a threat for CSI?
b. What is the role of the International Association for Identification Safety Committee?
c. Example:
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22. Legal Considerations
a. Supreme Court:
b. Many cases have been lost due to what?
c. What is the courts message?