SEARCH METHODS

Monday, February 14, 2022 11:10 a.m. m.

To organize the inspection and search at the scene, the investigator must:

1 .Meet certain objectives, that is, perform their work with professionalism. This means that the researcher will be prepared to track down any element that conveys
information, even if it is not considered relevant.

2 .Be especially careful with physical evidence elements that can be destroyed.

3 .Organize the search. For this, there are already standardized search patterns within which the most applicable methods are: spiral, strip, grid, point-to-point,
radial and zones or sectors. The already standardized patterns in the search methodology are aimed at using the ideal way to search for the test material correctly,
avoiding overlooking any evidence that may be the key piece in the investigation process; Likewise, it allows a thorough search of the place to find all the material
elements of evidence, and at the same time clarify the logical order and exact location of each of them, as the inspection of the place is carried out or carried out.
Finally, they allow the material elements of evidence to be numbered to clarify the quantity and, accordingly, relate them in the photographic album, sketches and
the respective minutes.

SEARCH METHODS

The search is carried out in the form of circles with centric ones, it is carried out throughout the place, describing, as its name indicates, a spiral that covers the entire
area. In closed places it is recommended to search from the outside in, in open places to search from the inside out; In this type of search, do not forget to carry out
the procedure on walls and ceilings.

SEARCH METHOD IN STRIPES

Researchers in this type of method search for the test material with a transversal recognition; The location must be established in lines, advancing simultaneously,
leaving a reasonable space, until the place is fully covered. This method is one of the most recommended to comprehensively review open spaces or large surfaces,
such as parks. Investigators must follow the formation position and move slowly, examining the parallel strips of the terrain, and when any evidence is found, record it
and later lift it.

GRID SEARCH METHOD

The scene of the events must be imaginatively divided into small squares, with each square inspected in detail. When material elements of evidence are found, they
will be verified, recorded and finally removed. This method is effective in medium and small sized places

It is a method that allows evidence to be located following the hands of a clock, relating the evidence that is found step by step. It is considered an ineffective
method, since a very meticulous and precise methodology must be followed for its proper functioning.

LEGAL AND CRIMINAL MEDICINE page 1

RADIAL SEARCH METHOD
In this method, the sectors must be divided according to the radius of the circumference, following the hands of a clock, and the search begins in each of them. In this
case, the area is considered to be circular or to have a round shape, with a previously designated center; the researchers move along the radii of the circumference
from the center to the periphery. This method is good in open places.

SEARCH METHOD IN AREAS OR SECTORS

This method is excellent for places of significant size or open field sectors. The method consists of dividing the place of events by quadrants or zones. The inspection
and search begins for each of these until the inspection is completed for all its parts. It is ideal when there are several investigators at the scene at the same time.

Field Criminalistics is one of the scientific disciplines of General Criminalistics where lies the primary source of indicative information and which is considered of vital
importance for the collection and study of physical evidence with identifying and reconstructive characteristics. This discipline fundamentally assists the investigator
at the scene of the incident or at other complementary investigation sites to carry out technical and methodical investigations that allow for capturing the identifying
and reconstructive indicative information, reasoning it inductively and deductively, and supplying it to the Criminalistics laboratories of the investigative body.
criminal sciences and criminology, for subsequent identification, qualitative, quantitative and comparative studies, with the application of scientific methodology.
Likewise, Field Criminalistics, based on the scientific work carried out at the scene of the incident and at other investigation sites, formulates field expert opinions in
order to point out instruments, objects, footprints, bodies and other evidence, as well as to reconstruct mechanisms or maneuvers exercised through the commission
of illicit acts, mainly in crimes against people in their property, life and personal integrity.

Screen: In order to be able to observe the place of intervention, which can be both open and closed, the entire surface must be traversed in parallel from one end to the other, in
a direction from north to south and then from east to west.

Fan: It is a technique suitable mainly for closed places. The researcher starts from one of the corners of the intervention site, moves along a strip and returns along it, and then
repeats the procedure, advancing along another strip until covering the entire room in a fan-shaped path.

OBSERVATION OF THE PLACE OF THE EVENTS

LEGAL AND CRIMINAL MEDICINE page 2

 - The first inspection carried out at the Scene of the Event is the most relevant opportunity for the observation, recognition and recovery of the EMP and EF, it is the main
source of information that brings us closer to the reality of what happened for analysis by the responsible server. a plan, determining the most appropriate method to
follow according to the topographic conditions of the site to be analyzed

SEARCH METHODS
1. SPIRAL
○ It is carried out starting from the external to the internal or vice versa, going through the entire place.
○ Normally carried out by a single researcher

2. STRIPES
○ For outdoors and large areas
○ It is carried out by two or more researchers, making a transversal route, taking strips and returning until the place is completely covered.

○ For interiors and/or several rooms

○ It is carried out by two or more researchers, separately reviewing each of the areas into which the place is divided.

4. GRID
○ The place is divided into quadrants and the tours are made twice or more in each space, it is used to carry out a detailed search.
○ can be carried out by one investigator or several, determining the area to be inspected

5. RADIAL
○ To collect large quantities of test material items
○ The place is divided from a single internal point to the outside.

6. POINT BY POINT
○ Also known as reference points. It consists of locating an element as a reference point and continuing from there.
○ It is the least recommended, because reference points can change over time.

LEGAL AND CRIMINAL MEDICINE page 3

Strip or line method. It consists of raking an open field space; It is ideal for large dimensions. It requires several people arranged in a line and moving forward in the same
direction. If any element is found, the person responsible for the equipment is immediately notified without touching it.

Grid or grid method. Similar to striping, with the difference that this method provides double coverage, from east to west and from south to north, forming a grid on the
terrain. Zone, sector or quadrant method. This method consists of dividing the land into zones and assigning a coding or numbering to each square or zone. Once this has
been done, each of them will be inspected and, if any evidence is found, a mention will be made of the painting or area that was located.

Radial method. The area to be treated is circular or wheel-shaped, with a central point; The displacement is made along the radii of the circumference. The searched area
from the center point outward becomes larger as the search progresses.

Spiral method. The search is carried out from the center to the periphery or vice versa, walking in a spiral in the search area.

Point to point method. Evidence is located and, from this, the other elements found in the place are demarcated.

Free technique. It consists of the researcher; He interacts at the scene freely, depending on his experience and the characteristics of the place.

LEGAL AND CRIMINAL MEDICINE page 4

Screen: In order to be able to observe the place of intervention, which can be both open and closed, the entire surface must be traversed in parallel from one end to the other,
in a direction from north to south and then from east to west .

Fan: It is a technique suitable mainly for closed places. The researcher starts from one of the corners of the intervention site, moves along a strip and returns along it, and
then repeats the procedure, advancing along another strip until covering the entire room in a fan-shaped path.

Radial: It consists of surrounding the area. It starts at the center that has been previously designated. In this case, the movement is made following the radius of the
circumference, as if they were the spokes of a bicycle wheel and according to the hands of the clock.

Stripes, parallels or lines: It is used mainly in open and large places, observation is practiced by traveling through the place in parallel, in order to cover the surface from one
end to the other in a vertical direction. To do this, several people are required, arranged in a line, moving forward in the same direction. If any evidence is found, the person
responsible for the equipment will be notified immediately, but without touching it.

Spiral: Its use takes place in both open and closed spaces. The observation is carried out in a centrifugal or centripetal manner, but always in a circular manner.

Zones, sectors or quadrants: It consists of dividing the place of intervention into zones, assigning a coding or numbering to each of them. Once divided, each space will be
inspected, and if any evidence is found, the area where it is located will be mentioned. It is important that when dividing into zones, one of the previously mentioned techniques
is applied within each zone.

From < https://www.colegiojurista.com/blog/art/tecnicas-de-busqueda-de-indicios/ >

METHODS BY ZONES
For interiors with several rooms, it is carried out by two or more technicians or researchers, separately reviewing each of the
zones into which the place is divided.

QUADRANT METHODS
Grid: the land or place is divided into quadrants and the routes are made two or more times in the place

POINT METHOD
It is also known as reference points and consists of locating an element as a reference point and continuing from there.

LEGAL AND CRIMINAL MEDICINE page 5

 POINT BY POINT

ONE ELEMENT IS
LOCATED AND FROM
THERE, THE NEXT ONE
(IS THE LEAST
RECOMMENDED)

ZIG-ZAG METHOD
It is used for outdoors and large areas. A journey is made transversally, taking stripes and returning INTERNAL
QUADRANT METHOD
This method is the most suitable for searching for information, facilitating the recognition and description of the elements
used in the preparation of the explosive device, located in the internal quadrant, the crater or container, since the negative
explosive wave drags the information that is need back to the starting place
To enter the central quadrant, an entry route must be marked as indicated by the arrow.
IF IT IS A VEHICLE BY QUADRANTS

2. Search methods or techniques :

Taking into account the extension and the type of land or building where the crime scene is located and the nature of the crime being investigated, the best work
method must be established for the visual technical inspection of the place, since on certain occasions The evidence is very obvious and easy to locate, but there is
other evidence that requires a more careful and systematic search. Therefore, it is advisable to choose one of the following methods:

• Strip or line method: It consists of carrying out a rake over an open field space, ideal for large areas; it requires several people arranged in a line and moving forward in the
same direction. If any element has been found, immediate notification is given to the person responsible for the equipment without touching it.

/ Grid method: Similar to the strip method, with the difference that this method provides double coverage, from east to west and from south to north. Forming a grid on the
ground.

LEGAL AND CRIMINAL MEDICINE page 6

Zone, sector or quadrant method: this method consists of dividing the land into zones and
assigning a coding or numbering to each square or zone. Once it has been divided into
zones, each one of them will be inspected and if any evidence is found, it will be done.

mention of the painting or area that was

By Zones
located.

Radial Method: The area to be treated is circular or wheel-shaped, with a central point, the

displacement is made along the radii of the circumference: the area investigated from the

central point to the outside becomes larger as the the search progresses.

imm

LEGAL AND CRIMINAL MEDICINE page 7

 Before developing the activities that involve the search methods, it is convenient to keep
in mind that the process must be carried out according to the characteristics of the place where the
events occurred, the number of investigators participating in the case and the conditions of the
space being investigated. going to inspect. All of these methods can be used alone or in
combination, depending on each particular case and taking into account open, closed or mixed
areas. The indistinct application of the aforementioned methods will be aimed at locating the
greatest number of clues in the shortest possible time.

The recommendations for using the previously referenced search methods are
highlighted below:

By stripes or lines: This method can cover large surfaces or open spaces: it consists of moving in

straight lines from North to South or from West to East, trying to maintain a straight front as you

advance along its lines to mark the clues that are found at the site This method is carried out with

several researchers

Zones, sectors or quadrant In this method, the place is divided into zones or sectors, in open

places, it is done as follows:

I - Immediate area of importance;

II.- Contiguous area:

III - Other areas:

In closed places, it is done by dividing by rooms and each of those by zones, which can be: Floors,
walls and ceilings. In this method, a single person can carry out a thorough search in a specific area
and another person can examine another area simultaneously.

LEGAL AND CRIMINAL MEDICINE page 8

Radial This method can be used if the area is considered circular. It begins in the center that has
been previously designated and which is where the main evidence is located, the movement will be
carried out along the radii of the circumference, in terrorist attacks with explosives the epicenter of
the place is taken and then the perform the search

Point to point This method can be used in small and closed spaces, based on a clue in the scene,
the investigator locates the others that are in the place

Spiral or concentric circles It is recommended in small spaces, a single researcher can carry out the
search that begins by taking a selected focal point, depending on the type of fact and if it is not
known, the observation and search of the peripheral areas is carried out. center, moving clockwise
or counterclockwise

Grid or grid method Similar procedure to the strip search method: although the grid offers double

coverage, forming a grid on the ground.

Free: It is used in small and closed spaces; The characteristic of this method allows the researcher

to fix and collect clues as they are found in the place, the order in which they were found does not

matter. It is not a recommended method because it is not systematic

Strip technique
lines

This method can cover large surfaces or open spaces. It

consists of moving in straight lines from north to south or
from west to east, trying to maintain a straight front as you
advance along its stripes to mark the evidence Palladas in
the place. This method is carried out with several
researchers.

Point to technique
spot

This method can be used in small and closed species, from

evidence found at the scene the investigator locates the
others that are subsequently found in the place.

LEGAL AND CRIMINAL MEDICINE page 9

 Sector or quadrant
Radialtechnique.
technique

This
Withmethod can bethe
this method, used if itisisdivided
place considered that the
into zones or area is
sectors
circular.
in open Itplaces.
beginsIt at the center
is born from the that has been
following previously
process:
designated and which is where the main evidence is found;
the displacement will be carried out along the radii of the
circumferenceimmediate area of importance
contiguous area
you scan areas. In closed places it is done by
dividing by rooms, and each of them by zones,
which can be: floors, walls and ceilings.

Spiral or concentric
circles.

It is recommended in small spaces. A single Investigator

can carry out the search that began by taking a selected
focal point, depending on the type of criminal act. If this is
not known, observation and search are carried out from the
peripheral areas towards the center, moving clockwise or
counterclockwise.

LEGAL AND CRIMINAL MEDICINE page 10