CRIME SCENE PROCESSING

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: List and explain the objectives of crime scene processing. Describe the crime scene procedure. Explain the importance of sketches and notes in the investigative process. Describe the methods and techniques used in crime scene photography.

Successful crime scene processing depends upon the investigator's skill in recognizing and collecting items and facts that may be valuable as evidence.

When processing a crime scene, you, as the investigator, should be able to do the following: 

. Protect the crime scene from destruction or contamination. (This is the only step the MA should accomplish if the offense committed will subsequently be investigated by the NCIS.) 

l Preserve all items and facts of evidentiary value obtained at the crime scene. This includes making sketches and notes; photographing the scene; collecting trace evidence and fingerprints; questioning suspects, victims, and witnesses; and marking evidence. 

l Present the findings made from crime scene processing. This is the purpose of protecting and preserving the crime scene.

You must attempt to reconstruct what actually occurred during the crime and, if testifying in court, be able to logically and positively identify all facts and items obtained during your investigation.

CRIME SCENE PROCEDURE

Since the security police or master-at-arms patrol force are normally the first police representatives at any crime scene, they should immediately take steps to protect the scene and should assist you in the examination of the scene. Depending on the type of crime committed and the location, the crime scene is the area surrounding the location, to include all direct traces of the crime. You should note the name and position of the person who notified you, and the time of notification.

Upon arrival at the scene, you should do the following:

1. Record the date, arrival time, and weather conditions.

2. If an injured person is on the scene, arrange for medical attention, identification, and removal. The scene may be disturbed only to the extent necessary to have medical aid rendered to the injured or to have a doctor examine (a) deceased victim(s). Consideration should be given to providing a searched pathway to the victim(s).

3. If the offender is at the scene, make an apprehension.

4. If the scene is not fully protected, ensure its protection by using security police or other responsible persons to keep curious persons away from the scene and to keep witnesses, suspects, and victim(s) present from disturbing the scene.

It may be necessary to reroute traffic or to take other action to prevent any disturbance of the scene until a complete examination is made.

The body of a deceased victim should not be covered until thoroughly processed for evidence. Premature covering could result in destruction or alteration of valuable trace evidence.

Immediate action is taken to protect items of possible evidentiary value that may be destroyed by rain, snow, fire, or other causes.

For example, a raincoat or piece of canvas maybe used to cover impressions in the earth that are exposed to rain. Wooden or pasteboard boxes may be placed over impressions in snow. Items that will melt should be shielded from the sun or other heat sources. Objects such as food and blood should be covered to protect them from contamination.

5. Determine and record the names of persons at the scene who may be witnesses, and separate them. These persons should be removed from the immediate area of the scene as soon as practicable.

6. Conduct preliminary questioning of witnesses, suspects, and victim(s) to determine, in general, the extent of the incident or crime. Record all movements made at the scene and what items persons have touched.

7. Note the names of all persons present. Those present within the immediate area of the scene should be only the minimum needed to assist you. It maybe necessary to request military or other officials present to refrain from examining or disturbing objects or aspects of the scene. Investigating personnel must maintain CONTROL and SECURITY of the crime scene.

Recording

You begin the process of recording pertinent facts and details of the investigation the moment you arrive at the crime scene.

Write down the identification of persons involved and what you see initially. Draw a rough sketch of the crime scene and take an integrity photograph That is done to assure that an image of the crime scene is recorded before the scene is disturbed.

The recording should continue for the duration of the crime scene processing.

Searching for Evidence

Each crime scene is different, according to the physical nature of the scene and the crime or offense involved. Consequently, the scene is processed to develop essential evidentiary facts pertinent to the offense. A general survey of the scene is always made, noting the location of obvious traces of the action, probable entry and exit points used by the offender(s), and the size and shape of the area involved.

In rooms, buildings, and small outdoor areas, a systematic clockwise circle search for evidence is often initiated. (A counterclockwise or any other systematic movement may be just as effective in the search. However, in the interest of uniformity, it is recommended that the clockwise movement be used.)

You examine each item found at the scene to locate anything that may be of evidentiary value.

Give particular attention to fragile trace evidence that may be destroyed or altered if it is not collected immediately.

If any doubt exists as to the value of an item, treat it as evidence until it is proven otherwise. Ensure that each item or area where latent fingerprints may be present is closely examined and that action is taken to develop the prints. Carefully protect any impression of evidentiary value in surfaces conducive to making casts or molds. Photograph the impression and make a cast or mold. Note stains, spots, and pools of liquid within the scene and treat them as evidence. Note any peculiar odors emitting from the scene. Treat as evidence all other items, such as hairs, fibers, and earth particles foreign to the area in which they are found. Proceed systematically and uninterruptedly to the conclusion of the processing of the scene. The search for evidence is initially completed when, after a thorough examination of the scene, the rough sketch, necessary photographs, and investigative notes have been completed and you have returned to the point from which the search began. Further search may be necessary after the evidence and the statements obtained have been evaluated.

In large outdoor areas, it is advisable to divide the area into strips about 4 feet wide. The search starts at one end and moves back and forth across the area from one side to the other. A grid search takes place after a

Figure 16-14.-Search patterns.

strip search is completed. It covers the area in a similar manner, but from end to end (See fig. 16-14.)

Indoor or outdoor areas may also be divided into zones or sectors, which are searched as individual areas (see two examples in fig. 16-15).

It may be advisable to make a search beyond the area considered to be the immediate scene of the incident or crime. If so, persons needed to accomplish the search may be secured from a security police unit or other available unit.

All persons participating in the search should be thoroughly briefed on at least the following points:

1. A full description of the item(s) being sought (if known).

2. All information available as to how the item(s) may have been hidden or discarded.

3. The action to be taken when the item is found The searchers should be emphatically informed that when they discover an item believed to be one being sought, or one similar, they should immediately notify the investigator in charge of the search, refrain from touching or moving the item, and protect the area until the investigator arrives.

After completing the search of the scene, the investigator examines the object or person actually attacked by the offender. For example, a ripped locker

Figure16-15.-Zone or sector searches.

or a desk drawer that has been pried open would be processed after the remainder of the scene has been examined for traces of the offender.