The Crime Scene Crime Scenes Tell A Story

The Crime Scene

Crime Scenes Tell A Story Through Physical Evidence • = any and all objects that can establish that a crime has been committed or can provide a link between a crime and its victim or a crime and its perpetrator

Crime Scene Don'ts • No Eating • No Drinking • No Smoking

Crime Scene Processing 1. Establish Legality of Search – 4 th , 5 th, 6 th, 14 th Amendment Protections Can search without warrant if: a. consent given b. life in danger c. immediate property of arrestee d. evidence in danger of destruction 2. Secure/Isolate Scene – – – 3. Encounter Site Attack Site Crime Site Victim Dump Site Vehicle Disposal Site Search Scene and Define its Borders

Search Patterns Spiral Zone Line Grid

What Search Type?

Buried Sites Follow Archeology Protocols

Levels of Search • Phase 1 – Examine scene with EYES ONLY – Mark potential evidence – Photograph – Draw – Take Notes – Measure distances of evidence from fixed points

Crime Scene Sketch

Crime Scene Processing • Phase 2 – Collect and store evidence appropriately – Also collect control samples Body Bag Paper bags Pill bottles Empty Paint Cans Swabs Tweezers+Tools Manila envelopes Vacuum

What type of evidence is left at scene? • • • Blood Petroleum Products Powder Residue Soil and Minerals Wood and Vegetative Matter Saliva Drugs Fibers Firearms and Ammunition Hair Impressions Paint Plastic Bags Serial Numbers Tool Marks Semen Documents Explosives Prints Glass Bodies/Parts

Good Evidence vs. Better Evidence • Class characteristic evidence – Blood type – Car paint – Clothing fibers • Individual characteristic evidence – DNA – Fingerprints

Crime Scene Processing • Large areas many be sawed out and transported • Cars removed to lab garage

Crime Scene Search • Phase 3 (most intrusive) – Open drawers – Turn over items in scene – Look in clothes – Develop latent prints – Spray Luminol – Remove carpet and wall sections

Chain of Custody Validates authenticity, validity, integrity of evidence

Crime Scene Safety • Infectious materials – Wear gloves, have biohazard bags, shoe covers, Kleengard suits and masks, disposable writing instruments

Crime Scene Safety • Sharps – Be alert and once encountered they are packaged • No eating, drinking, smoking or makeup application at scene.