1 Crime Scene Vocabulary CRIME SCENE Any physical

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Crime Scene Vocabulary CRIME SCENE: Any physical location in which a crime has occurred or is suspected of having occurred. PRIMARY CRIME SCENE: The original location of a crime or accident. SECONDARY CRIME SCENE: An alternate location where additional evidence may be found. SUSPECT: Person thought to be capable of committing a crime. ACCOMPLICE: Person associated with someone suspected of committing a crime. ALIBI: Statement of where a suspect was at the time of a crime. 2

Crime Scene Vocabulary Perpetrator: a person who commits an offense or crime. Buccal Swab: Swab of inner portion of cheek (cells provide DNA) Chain of Custody: A list of all persons who came into possession of an item of evidence. Post-mortem interval (PMI) – the time between death and finding a body. (determined by forensic pathologist) 3

Crime Scene Vocabulary Physical evidence: encompasses any and all objects that can establish that crime has been committed or can provide a link between a crime and its victim. Rough sketch: A draft representation of all essential information and measurements at a crime scene. Drawn at the crime scene. Finished sketch: A precise drawing of the crime scene, usually drawn to scale. 4

Crime Scene Personnel POLICE OFFICERS are typically the first to arrive at a crime scene. They are responsible for: securing the scene so no evidence is destroyed and detaining persons of interest in the crime. The CSI UNIT documents the crime scene in detail and collects any physical evidence. 5

Crime Scene Personnel MEDICAL EXAMINER (if a homicide) determines a preliminary cause of death. SPECIALISTS (forensic entomologists, anthropologists, or psychologists) may be called in if the evidence requires expert analysis. DETECTIVES interview witnesses and consult with the CSI unit. They investigate the crime by following leads provided by witnesses and physical evidence. 6

Processing the Crime Scene 1. Secure and Isolate the Crime Scene. – It is the responsibility of the first officer arriving on the scene of a crime to take steps to preserve and protect the area to the greatest extent possible. – Ensure Safety of Victims and Himself – Boundaries of the scene must be determined. - Rope off area (Isolate area) 7

Processing the Crime Scene 2. Record the Scene – Investigators only have a limited amount of time to work a crime scene in its untouched state. – The crime scene needs to be permanently recorded and documented. – Photography, sketches and notes are the 3 main ways to do this. 8

Processing the Crime Scene – Photography • Objects must not be moved before they are photographed from ALL angles. • If there was a body involved, close-ups of the injuries and any weapons need to be photographed. • Once the body is removed the ground beneath the body needs to be photographed. • If the size of an item is significant, a ruler (or other scale) may be used near the object. • The use of videotape is popular. 9

Processing the Crime Scene – Sketches • Once photographs have been taken, the crime-scene investigator will sketch the scene. • First a rough draft is made using accurate dimensions of the scene and showing the location of all objects that are important to the case. • Distance is measured using 2 fixed points (walls, doors etc). 10

Processing the Crime Scene – Sketches • • All measurements are made with a tape measure Letters or numbers are assigned to the objects. A legend correlates the letter/number to the object. The finished sketch is drawn carefully using templates or computer software (CAD) by a skilled individual – it needs to look good! 11

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Processing the Crime Scene – Notes • Note taking must be constant throughout the processing of the crime scene. • Includes details of EVERYTHING. • This written record may be the only source of information to refresh memories months or even years after the crime. • Tape-recording notes at the scene or narrating a videotape works much faster HOWEVER at some point the tapes need to be transcribed into a written document. 13

Review Questions 1. The term _____ encompasses all objects that can establish whether a crime has been committed. 2. All unauthorized personnel must be _____ from crime scenes. 3. Three methods for recording the crime scene are _____, ______, and ______. 4. The most important prerequisite for photographing a crime scene is to have it in an ______ condition. 5. An investigator need only draw a _____ sketch at the crime scene to show its dimensions and pertinent objects. 14

SEARCH METHODS 1. Line (strip) method: best in large, outdoor scenes; moving in one direction 2. Grid method: double-line search; effective, but time-consuming 3. Spiral method: moving in circular direction: inward or outward 4. Zone method: teams are assigned small 15 zones for searching

Processing the Crime Scene 4. Collect and Package Physical Evidence – Physical evidence must be properly packaged, sealed, labeled. – Small items can be collected and packaged easily. – Each different item or similar item collected at different locations MUST be placed in a separate container. 16

Processing the Crime Scene 5. Maintain Chain of Custody (Co. C) – Co. C refers to to the order in which items of evidence (physical or electronic) have been handled during the investigation of a case. – Co. C = list of all persons who came into possession of an item of evidence. – Completing an evidence submission form. – Every person who handled or examined the evidence must be accounted for. – The chain of custody should be kept to a minimum 17

Processing the Crime Scene 6. Control Samples – Examination of evidence often requires comparison with a known evidence or exemplars – Fingerprints, DNA samples, Soil – Can be obtained from the victim, suspects, or other sources. – Bloodstained evidence must be accompanied by whole blood or buccal swab controls. 18

Processing the Crime Scene 7. Submit Evidence to the Laboratory – Final step where evidence is delivered to the forensics laboratory for processing. The techniques needed to collect evidence from a crime scene requires a highly skilled technician. 19

Review Questions 6. A detailed search of the crime scene for physical evidence must be conducted in a ______ manner. 7. Each item collected at the crime scene must be placed in a _____ container. 8. The possibility of future legal proceedings requires that a _____ be established with respect to the possession of physical evidence. 9. Most physical evidence collected at a crime scene will require the accompanying submission of _____ material for comparison purposes. 10. Technicians working the crime scene need to be _____. 20

What evidence would you collect? 21

Any Questions? 22