CRIME SCENE

MANAGEMENT

MR. AVINASH C
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
BRANCHES OF FORENSIC SCIENCE
• Forensic Biology • Forensic Odontology
• Forensic Serology • Forensic Physics
• Forensic Anthropology • Forensic Chemistry
• Forensic Medicine • Dactyloscopy
• Forensic Toxicology • Forensic Photography
• Forensic Entomology • Forensic Engineering
• Forensic Accounting • Questioned Document
• Forensic Ballistics Examination
• Forensic Botany • Forensic Cheiloscopy
• Computer Forensic • Forensic Genetics
• Forensic Podiatry • DNA Fingerprinting
• Forensic Psychology • Crime Scene
• Forensic Linguistics Management
WHAT IS SCENE OF CRIME
• A scene of occurrence is the place where a
particular crime has been committed or where
physical evidence of such crime is found when
it is brought to the notice of the police.
• It is the starting point for the investigator which
provides him with the information of the victim
and the suspect and to reconstruct the crime.
• The scene of crime can not be limited to one
place, it may extend to one or more places.
• It is also not limited to immediate surroundings
but may also extended to a wider area
depending upon the nature of the crime
committed.
• The investigator is the person who is very
important at the scene of crime is also known as
crime scene investigator.
• The investigator should possess the knowledge
and skill to preserve and process the evidence
available at the scene of crime.
• Investigator should learn to recognize, identify,
preserve and collect items of physical
evidences.
CLASSIFICATION OF SCENE OF CRIME
• Based on the place where the crime is
committed, crime scene is classified into three
types
1. Indoor Crime Scene
2. Outdoor Crime Scene
3. Mobile Crime Scene
INDOOR CRIME
SCENE
• The crime
committed in a
house or the
place surround
by walls is
called indoor
crime scene
• Rape, homicide,
house breaking,
robbery, dacoity
etc. are the
examples of
indoor crime
scene
OUTDOOR
CRIME SCENE
• When a crime
committed on a
road or a field
is an outdoor
crime scene
• Rape,
homicide,
vehicle theft,
hit & run,
vehicle
accident etc.
are the
examples of
outdoor crime
scene
MOBILE CRIME
SCENE
• The mobility
of crime scene
evidences
occurs here.
• The scene
where crime is
committed and
the scene
where the
evidences are
found are
different.
• In compact crime scene like burglary, house
breaking, theft etc. crime scene can be divided
into five parts,
1. Line of approach
2. Point of entry
3. Actual scene
4. Point of exit
5. Line of retreat
BASIC PRINCIPLE
• The Golden Principle of Exchange OR Locard’s
principle of exchange

“when there is a contact between two objects

there will be an mutual exchange of traces.”
GENERAL PROCEDURE OF CRIME SCENE
INVESTIGATION
• Barricading the crime scene
• Placing of compass
• Gathering information from witness
• Crime scene photography
• Rough sketch
• Searching the crime scene
• Searching for micro evidences
• Neat sketch
• Handling, packing and collection of evidence
• Crime scene reconstruction
• Interviewing the witness
• Report - Forensic examination of evidences
• Interrogating the suspects
• Arresting the perpetrator
• Filing the charge sheet
• Court proceedings
7’ S OF CRIME SCENE MANAGEMENT
1. Secure the Scene
2. Separate the Witnesses
3. Scan the Scene
4. See the Scene
5. Sketch the Scene
6. Search for Evidence
7. Secure and Collect Evidence
Secure the Scene
• The first officer to arrive at the scene
should secure the scene by making sure that
everyone in the area is safe and isolate the area
to preserve evidence.
• This may include arresting suspects and
obtaining medical assistance.
• Crime scene tape which often used to help
securing the scene.
Separate the Witnesses
• Witnesses should be separated from one
another.
• the purpose of this separation is to keep them
from working together to create a cover story or
share details about the situation to other.
Scan the Scene
• This step gives investigators an overall picture
of the scene.
• They will identify the primary crime scene, or
where the crime took place.
• If applicable, they'll identify area related to the
crime or the secondary crime scene.
See the Scene
• A photography unit will take pictures of items
identified during the initial scan.
• Pictures should be taken of the overall area, as
well as close-ups, using evidence markers or
a ruler for size reference.
Sketch the Scene
• A sketch of the scene is created in such a way
that investigators could recreate the crime scene
at an alternate location.
• The sketch includes objects in the room and the
location of evidence, as well as directional
north, the date, time, location, and case number.
Search for Evidence
• A thorough search is conducted to identify any
evidence that may have been overlooked in the
previous steps.
• This search can occur in several patterns which
will be chosen by the lead investigator.
Secure and Collect Evidence
• All identified evidence must be collected and
secured using specific techniques and
procedures.
• These techniques keep the evidence from
becoming damaged or contaminated.
• Each piece of evidence is logged onto
an evidence log and marked with an evidence
label.
• Placing compass to the point of entry to the
scene of crime facing north gives the direction
of the crime scene
• Latitude and longitudinal measurements also
helps in identifying the exact location of crime
scene.
METHODIC SEARCH OF PATTERNS
• Before commencing a search for evidence,
investigator must be clear on

1. How to look for?

2. Where to look for?
3. What to look for?
How to look for?
• In case of indoor crime scene, investigator must
be thorough and systematic in search of traces
and evidences from the line of approach to the
line of retreat.
• Should take door as a starting point and move
either in a clock wise or anti clock wise manner
around the center which helps in search of
entire place.
• In case of outdoor, the crime scene is open and
wider, it is convenient to employ a team of
officers and distribute the area.
• Such team consists of one leader and four
members who are trained to conduct a search in
scene of crime.
• Such search will be conducted by the guidance
and supervision of the leader.
CRIME SCENE SEARCH PATTERNS
• The crime scene search are classified into five
types. They are
1. Strip or line method
2. Spiral method
3. Zone method
4. Grid method
5. Wheel method
Strip or line method
• The whole area to be searched is blocked into a
rectangle and the searchers proceed along track
parallel to one side of the rectangle looking for
the evidences.
• The search must be cautious , slow and steady
so that no physical evidence is left.
Spiral method
• The researches start from a point just outside
the area of the crime scene and moving along
with the path of spiral till he reaches the Centre
of the scene of crime
Zone method
• The entire area to be searched is divided into
four big squares.
• The big square is then conveniently sub divided
into small squares which are then assigned to
individual searchers.
Grid method
• The whole area to be searched is blocked into a
rectangle and the searchers proceed along track
parallel from both the opposite sides of the
rectangle looking for the evidences.
• Grid method is more effective in outdoor crime
scene of wider area.
Wheel method
• The entire scene is marked as circle.
• The searchers are made to start their search
from the center and proceed along the radii.
• The process will be repeated several times
which is depending upon the size of the circle
SUGGESTION TO THE CRIME SCENE SEARCH

• Outdoor crime search is difficult during night

time, its is better to postpone to the following
day
• If it is not possible then search should be done
with floodlights.
• In case of outdoor crime scene search spiral,
zone methods are advisable whereas in indoor
crime scene spiral method is universally
adopted
• Whether it is indoor or outdoor, each area
should be double checked to ensure no
evidences are missed.
• In case of vehicle the search will be done based
on the type of crime and the interior
examination should be done with great care.
• Exterior examination should be done thorough
which should be focused on the point of impact,
bumper, grill, dents, head lights, wind screen
etc.
• Search of evidences which also include blood,
hairs, fibers, torn piece of cloth, body tissues,
fingerprints, blood, dust, Tyre mark, skid marks
etc.
Where to do look for clues
• Door • Curtains
• Floor including carpet • Switch boards & lights
• Mattresses • Behind the wall
• Behind & under trunks hangings
• Suitcases & boxes • Containers
• Furniture • Almirahs
• Cracks in the floor • Walls
What to look for?
• The position and condition of everything at the
scene must be taken proper note.
1. Overturned furniture
2. Disturbed wall hangings
3. Type and nature of fracture of window panes
4. Displaced articles
5. Position of the victim
6. Disturbed materials etc.
• Other than the above mentioned chnages, the
physical evidences present in the crime scene
should be searched which will vary depending
upon the nature of the crime.

• Some of the most common physical evidences

encountered in the crime scene are:
PHYSICAL EVIDENCES
• Fibers, hair, fabric including unusual type of
fiber.
• Stains of blood, semen, saliva, sputum, urine
etc.
• Chemical stains like paints, grease, acids, petrol
etc.
• Dust, dirt, debris, soil, vegetable matter, pollen
etc.
• Fragments of glass, metal and metal fillings etc.
• Firearms, cartridge cases, pellets, bullets,
powder marks etc.
• Mark like tyre marks, skid marks, teeth marks,
tool marks, erased marks etc.
• Fingerprints, palm prints, foot prints, shoe
prints etc.
• Poisons – vomits, viscera, phials, residues in
bottle, glass etc.
• Documents – documents to establish
authorship, type written, erased, obliterated,
altered, indented, burned documents etc.
• Implements or weapons used for committing
crime
• Any article left behind by the criminal such as
torch, hand kerchief, tools etc.
RECORDING OF CRIME SCENE
• Videotaping the Crime Scene. If available, a
video camera is the first step to documenting a
crime scene.
• Still Photography. Whether a video camera is
available or not, it is absolutely essential that
still photographs be taken to document the
crime scene.
• Crime Scene Sketching.
CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY
• The photographer should take photographs
before anything is disturbed, progressively
working through the scene from outside to
close-up pictures.
• Many shots should be taken from the entire
scene, to medium shots to show the relationship
of evidence to the overall scene.
• Video should be taken to cover all the parts and
evidences present in the crime scene, in case of
videography.
• Based on the range of the photo, crime scene
photography is classified into three types
1. Overall or an Arial photography
2. Mid range photography
3. Close up photography
 Overall or Arial
photography
• Overall
photography
covers the
whole crime
scene along with
the evidences
present in the
crime scene.
• Arial
photography is
generally taken
in birds eye view
using drones
 Mid range
photography
• Mid range
photography
should cover
either two
adjacent end
points of the
walls or
maximum
number of
evidences
present near the
targeted
evidence.
 Close up
photography
• The close up
photography of
the evidence
should be taken
along with the
measurements,
evidence card and
a description of
the evidence
which includes
the name of the
object, length,
breadth, color and
appearance of the
evidence.
SKETCHING OF CRIME SCENE
• In general sketching of crime scene is called
Pictorial recording or documentation of crime
scene.
• Sketching of crime scene is classified into two
types
1. Rough sketch
2. Neat sketch
ROUGH SKETCHING
• The rough sketch contains the general
representation of the evidences in the crime
scene.
• The measurements will be reduced.
• The rough sketch contains the legends or list of
evidences which is present in the crime scene
along with direction and the signature of the
investigation officer.
NEAT SKETCHING
• Neat sketching also contains the representation of
evidences but it will have an exact measurement of
evidences present in the crime scene along with the
legends along with the direction & signature of the
investigation officer.
• The methods of Recording neat sketch is divided
into three types
1. Base line method
2. Fixed point method
3. Triangulation or triangular method
BASE LINE METHOD
• The mid point of the two parallel walls should
be taken
• The imaginary line should drawn between the
two mid points
• The measurement from the evidence to the base
line and base line to the one mid point should
be recorded.
FIXED POINT METHOD
• Two side corner points of the walls should be
taken as a fixed points, in case of outdoor crime
scene two unmovable points should be taken as
fixed points.
• And the measurements from one fixed point to
the evidence and the evidence to the another
fixed point is noted.
TRIANGULAR METHOD
• Two side corner points of the walls should be
taken as A and B, the evidence should be
marked as “any alphabet” the measurements
from point A to the evidence, evidence to the
point B and point B to point A should be taken
COLLECTION OF EVIDENCES
• Evidences should be collected only after the
initial search, photography and sketching of the
crime scene.
• Evidences found in the crime scene varies to
different crimes
• On the basis of the nature of crime, evidences
should be collected.
• Homicidal and Rape Crime scene – the
evidential matter on or near by the body should
be collected before removing body for autopsy.
• Then the weapon of offence and others type of
evidence which been contact between victim
and offender such as blood, flesh, fingerprints
etc. should be collected.
• Burglary – the point of entry should be located
and the evidence of tools, tool marks, hair, glass
fragments, wood pieces, metal fragments, dust,
soil, fibers and other visible evidences which
does not match with crime scene should be
collected.
• Fingerprints can be searched on doorknobs,
windows, glass panes, doors etc.
• Automobile cases – the evidences should be
searched for glass, upholstery, floors for
fingerprints, then blood, semen, hairs and fibers
should be searched and collected.
• Hit & run case – glass, paint, soil, blood, hair
and fabric are the most common evidences
which should be searched and collected.
• In case of outdoor crime scene – the evidences
like footprints, hairs, fibers, fabrics, blood,
semen, soil, vegetation, tyre marks, etc. should
be looked for and collected
HANDLING OF EVIDENCES
• Flat object like wood or glass the edges should
be handled
• Tumbler, bottle or phial only the rim or bottom
should be touched or using a single finger at top
and bottom.
• Dragger or knife, bottom and tip should be
handled with only index fingers.
• Fire arms can be handled using tips of the
fingers to the bottom of the barrel or butt.
• Fired projectile should be lifted only with a
rubber tipped forceps
• Paper, hair, fibers, small piece of glass or any
small solid pieces should be handled only using
forceps.
• Dust or other powdered objects should be
collected using brush or vacuum cleaner.
• Explosives and bombs should not be handled or
touched unless one is sure that there will be no
explosion by simple handling.
• Blood, semen, liquids, chemicals, vomit and
excreta should be collected with the help of
spoon.
TIPS FOR PROPER HANDLING
• Avoid picking up evidences immediately on
arrival to crime scene.
• Use gloves while handling every articles
• Handle article as little as possible so that no
clue is lost or damage.
• Prevent careless destruction of evidences
• Maintain integrity of the evidence
• Ensure the chain of custody of evidence is
collected.
PACKING OF EVIDENCES
• Fingerprints: object should be packed with two
perforated cardboard.
• Footprints: cast of the footprint should be made
using Plaster of Paris in 2:1 ratio and send to
FSL.
• Weapons and tools: knives, guns, tools and
other weapons should be secured to a board by
means of string.
• Hairs and fibers: should be picked up carefully
using forceps and placed in a cellophane tape &
folded, then pack it in a tight container.
• Dust, wood, glass fragments, paint chips, etc.:
it should be enclosed or wrapped in a piece of
cellophane or filter paper and then placed in a
suitable container.
• Soil: it can be collected using spoon in a air
tight container.
Blood & blood stains:
• In case on clothes, objects full cloth or object
should be collected.
• If blood is of large quantity, wipe blood with
cotton swab and control sample should be send
separately.
• In case found in soil, it should be scooped deep
enough and packed in a container.
• Semen or saliva: the object should be dried at
room temperature and send to laboratory.
• Tool marks: send whole tool after protecting its
clades with cotton.
• Liquids & volatile materials: it should be
collected in a air tight container and should be
sealed to prevent loss during storage.
• After the successful collection of the evidence, it
should be packed in a box and should be sealed with
Panchnama wax, then sealed as SR (secret).
• Then the box top of the box should be divided into
four and the labeling should be done with the
following mentioned below.
• Details of the cases that the evidence belongs to
• Direction of the crime scene
• The evidence send by (From) details of the officer
• The evidence send to (To) details of the laboratory
• Then the covering letter should be attached to
the evidence regarding what the investigator is
about to know, which should be mentioned
clearly in the covering letter.
• So that the forensic expert will focus on the
question of the investigation officer which
results in saving of time and faster generation
of report.
CRIME SCENE RECONSTRUCTION
• Crime scene reconstruction is a brief note
reporting the circumstances and facts.
• In simple words, crime scene reconstruction is a
story narration of the crime scene on the basis
of evidences found which states the fact of what
happened.
• Crime scene photography & sketching plays a
major role in recreating the crime scene.
CHAIN OF CUSTODY
• the logical sequence that records the sequence
of custody, control, transfer, analysis and
disposition of physical or electronic evidence in
legal cases.
• It is the document says details about each
person who handled the evidence, date & time
it was collected, or transferred and the purpose
of the transfer.
THANK YOU