The Crime Scene The Proper way to identify

The Crime Scene The Proper way to identify, process and preserve evidence

First and Most important u Preserve the crime scene, if it has not already been done so. – Tape it off and restrict access to necessary personnel ONLY!! eople p e r o he m T ore. e m l p e i h c t n , i d’s Pr scene r e a c m i o r L leave c r r e e o / h b t d f m n o e a out Rem eave d l n , a e c n i n e id me r own i v o e e c h l t o a i f h c o w ence oy cru d r i t v s e e d e v they cepti e d d n i beh

Strike a Pose u Photograph/Video the scene – When arriving at a crime scene, take photos starting from point of arrival to the actual crime scene. – This should be done before any moving or examining of evidence

Benefits of Photography – Forever preserves the scene – Catches details that even the most detailed investigator would miss – Some of the strongest evidence presented in court

Evidence Collection u Place evidence markers at each item that might be evidence (ex. Blood, clothing, weapons, bodily fluids etc) u Place Photo Evidence Ruler near each piece of evidence that needs size determination. u Now retake photos with evidence markers and rulers.

How To Photograph Evidence with a Ruler u Picture must be taken perpendicular to the plane that the evidence is lying on. u Ruler must fit within the viewfinder of the camera along with the evidence.

At the Scene u The goal of the evidence collection stage – Recreate the crime scene or Modus Operandi- to recreate the sequence of events – Find, collect and preserve all physical evidence ce en d i v ee us e w is h t ers r k r a Fo m

Take Notes u It is important that you write down everything you observe – This includes but is not limited to: u The body u Ballistics and Tools marks u Blood u Trace Evidence u Etc. Be meticulous!!!

o don’t forget your compass and tape measure Start Sketching Draw a rough sketch of the scene – Be sure to include the location of furniture, identified evidence (including the body), windows, doors, etc. – Measure the distances of major objects in the room in relationship to two fixed points (Corner of a Room or if outside, major landmarks) – Include measurements and directional references on your sketch (North, South, etc. )

u Must Rough Draft have measurements of room and measurements of location of evidence in reference to your fixed point.

Final Draft

Legends Needed u Each room A 1 (body) can be labeled with a letter A 2 (knife) (A 1 -body) 5’’S, 3’’E 6’’S, 2’’E B 1 (GUN) 8’’S, 20”E C 3 (bloody sock) 2’’S, 7”E

Go for the Body!! It is crucial that you examine the body efficiently. Examine the body for evidence on skin, clothing and the immediate surrounding area • Careful not to disturb the evidence until you are ready to collect the samples

Processing patterns The outward spiral search: The CSI starts at the center of scene (or at the body) and works outward. u Especially good for under water crime scenes. u

Processing patterns The parallel search: All of the members of the CSI team form a line. They walk in a straight line, at the same speed, from one end of crime scene to the other. u Mostly used for large outdoor areas or fields. u

Processing patterns With all walk through methods, be cautious not to step on any possible evidence u The inward spiral search: The CSI starts at the perimeter of the scene and works toward the center. Spiral patterns are a good method to use when there is only one CSI at the scene.

Processing patterns The grid search: A grid search is simply two parallel searches, offset by 90 degrees, performed one after the other.

Processing patterns The zone search: In a zone search, the CSI in charge divides the crime scene into sectors, and each team member takes one sector. Team members may then switch sectors and search again to ensure complete coverage.

Aerial Search u Is a search conducted by a fixed wing aircraft or helicopter. Useful for searches covering large expanses of land.

Can’t Find Evidence u Have alternate search groups u Alternate searchers within the groups u Utilize all of your resources.

After Your Search is Over u Check u Don’t it again forget to LOOK UP!!!

Crime Scene Activity u At your table you will find a mini mock crime scene. Remember what you learned the day before, don’t touch anything. With index cards, make your own evidence markers. You will be creating a crime scene sketch. Choose a reference point. u Grab a meter stick for measuring. u BEGIN!!!!!!!

Lets See How We Did : )

Evidence Collection

Potential Sources of DNA Evidence • Food Clothing u Hat u Eyeglasses u Earrings u Chewing Gum u Tooth Picks u Tooth Brushes u Bite Marks u Licked Stamps/Envelopes u • Bottles or Cans • Gloves • Watches • Condoms • Used Tissues • Handkerchiefs • Cigarette buds

“Touch” or “Trace” DNA Sources u Casual contact between a person’s hand(s) and an item u Almost anything can possess touch DNA u Must be careful about cross contamination and mixtures u Recovery of touch DNA is accomplished through swabbing.

Caution Regarding “Touch” DNA u Carefully weigh the value of a possible latent print against a possible DNA profile u “Touch” DNA is not meant to replace latent prints.

Collecting and Recovering DNA Evidence u Swabbing u Cutting u Scraping u Tape Lift u Collecting the Entire Object

Collection of Semen u Evaluate the stain and its probative value u Swab the stain-Works best on nonabsorbent surfaces u Cut the stain from the item u Collect the item

Collection of Semen: Condoms u If the condom appears ‘filled’ – Secure the condom if possible so the inside doesn’t contaminate the outside – Tie off open end of condom – Individually package

Collection of Hair and Fibers u Lift with tape u Use gloves or forceps to transfer hair/fibers into a paper bindle – Placing hair straight into a bag is NOT recommended due to static electricity

Collection of Saliva u Saliva can be found on bitemarks, food, drinks, or toothbrushes u Recovery: – Lightly moisten swabs – Rotate and swab area – Allow samples to air dry

Known Saliva (Buccal) Swabs u Swab the inside of the cheek area using 2 swabs u Rotating them during collection (approx. 10 -15 seconds) u Allow swabs to air dry and package together in paper

Fingernail Scrapings/Clippings u Collect only when indicated u Clip nails into clean paper with a clean clipper u Separating left and right nails OR u Scrape the underside of each nail onto a clean paper u Package the scrapings inside this paper

Packaging of Evidence u Dry items should be packaged in porous containers such as paper bags, envelopes, boxes

Packaging of Wet Items u Wet items should be allowed to air dry prior to packaging u Very wet items can be transported in plastic containers but should be airdried as soon as possible

Packaging Materials u Paper bags u Pill boxes u Envelopes u Druggist fold envelopes u Glass jars u Paint cans u Cardboard boxes

Packaging Techniques u Choice of proper container: – Paper is the packaging material of choice – Plastic should only be used to transport evidence – Allow evidence to air dry prior to submitting into evidence

Packaging Techniques u Package items separately when recovered separately u If items found together, then package together – Clothing in a pile – Cigarettes in an ashtray

Packaging Techniques u Minimizing interior movement will help protect DNA evidence from being removed by being wiped away

Labeling Packages u Name/initials of the collector u Each person/entity subsequently having custody u Date of collection or transfer u Agency and case# u Victim or suspect name u Brief description of item

Labeling Packages u Label and identify exterior as to contents u Every level of packaging gets identifying information

Labeling Packages u Label the item with warnings/hazards or other helpful information; – Biohazard – Sharp – Fragile – Unloaded – Etc.

Sealing the Package u Seal the package with tape – Prevents items from falling out – Provides measure of security-evidence cant be assessed unless seal is broken – Seals can be accomplished with packaging tape or evidence tape – Initial and Date across seal

Sealing the Package Acceptable Unacceptable Scotch Tape Masking Tape Packaging tape Staples Evidence tape