Professional Documents
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Main goal is to gather evidence that can be used to identify and convict the person(s) responsible for a
crime.
District Attorney – determines if search warrants are necessary, secures warrants from a judge
Responsibilities of 1st Officer arriving: 1. Obtain medical assistance for anyone in need 2. Arrest any
perpetrators 3. Exclude all unauthorized personnel 4. Isolate the area “yellow tape”– do not cross
- Destruction or altering of P.E. can occur when a crime scene is not properly secured &
documented Secure & Isolate the Crime Scene Responsibilities of 1 st Officer arriving: 1. Obtain
medical assistance for anyone in need 2. Arrest any perpetrators 3. Exclude all unauthorized
personnel 4. Isolate the area
(conditional/transient evidence is noted ex: lighting, smells, sounds, temperature of body are noted)
During the second walk through, the scene is thoroughly documented through drawings, notes,
photographs, and digital video.
If there has been a death, the medical examiner should note the body’s condxition and if possible,
estimate the time of death.
Law enforecement officers should try to note and record details such as weather conditions, particular
odors, whether lights are on or off, any signs of prior activity at the scene, light and visibility.
Investigators will examine the scene for evidence, identify points of entry and exit.
9 Sketches Once photos have been taken, the crime-scene investigator sketches the scene *
Sketch has essential info & measurements at a crime scene.-- sketch is drawn at the crime
scene.-- shows dimensions & location of objects. all sketches should include date and time,
scale, reference points, distance measurements, the names of investigators, victims, suspects
and legends. SKETHCHES· Once photos have been taken, the crime-scene investigator
sketches the scene· Rough Sketch-a draft representation of all essential info &
measurements at a crime scene. This sketch is drawn at the crime scene. It shows dimensions &
location of objects. Figs 2-4 & 2-5 pp. 47 & 48· On the sketch, North should be labeled.·
Objects r located in the sketch by distance measurements from 2 fixed points. All
measurements r made w/ a tape measure.· The simplest way to designate an item is to
assign it a # or letter. A legend must be placed below the sketch.Finished Sketch-a precise
rendering of the crime scene, drawn to scale.
Searching for Evidence
Typical examples of crime scene search patterns are:1. Line search: used in large open areas2.
Grid: double line search3. Zone method: effective in houses or buildings. Teams are assigned
rooms or small zones to searchThe search pattern selected at a crime scene depends on the
size & locale of the scene & the # of collectors participating in the search.Typical examples of
crime scene search patterns
11 Search for evidence4. Wheel or ray: best in small areas. Officers begin at the center and
move outward in a pattern that makes a circle5. Spiral method: best used in areas where there
are no barriers or wall. Officers move inward or outward
An evidence log and a chain of custody document must be attached to every evidence container.
*Chain of Custody the documented and unbroken transfer of evidence; list of all people who came into
possession of an item of evidence (continuity of possession)
An evidence log and a chain of custody document must be attached to the evidence container.
20 Chain of Custody
Seal the evidence & the collector’s signature is written across the sealed edge.
When the package is reopened at the lab it is opened at a location other than the sealed edge. Every
time opened: new seal, new signature, place in new evidence bag.
CHAIN OF CUSTODYlist of people who came into possession of an item of evidence (continuity of
possession)
· all items must be carefully packaged & marked upon their retrieval at the scene.
· Record to show collector’s initials, location of evid, & date of collection. Seal evidence & the
collector’s signature is written across the sealed edge.
When the package is reopened at the lab it is opened at a location other than the sealed edge. Every
time opened: new seal, new signature, place in new evidence bag.
Once the crime lab has processed the evidence, the results are forwarded to the lead detective on the
case.
It is up to the lead detective and his team to reconstruct the crime scene based upon the evidence and
lab findings and determine who committed the crime.
Once a case is made, the person who committed the crime can be arrested and tried in a court of law.
A double murder – no fingerprints, no DNA, no murder weapon. The only thing that could link the killers
to the crime were the fibers from the blankets.
Physical Evidence-encompasses any & all objects that can establish that a crime has been committed or
can link a crime & its victim or its perpetrator.
Tire impressions
Tool marks
Fibers
Weapons
Bullets
Physical evidence includes impressions such as fingerprints, footprints, shoe prints, tire impressions, tool
marks. It also includes fibers, weapons, bullets, and shell casings.
Biological evidence includes body fluids, hair, plant parts, natural fibers.
Body fluids
Hair
Plant parts
Natural fibers.
Soil
Hairs
Fibers
27 Individualize Evidence
Fingerprints
Handwriting
Bullets (striations)
Toolmarks (striations)
Tire prints
28 *Trace evidence small but measurable amounts of physical or biological material found at a crime
scene.