Crime Scene Search

12 Stages of Processing a Crime Scene

Preparation, Approach Scene, Secure Scene, Preliminary Survey, Evaluate Evidence, Narrative Description, Photographs, Sketch/Diagram/Drawing, Search, Record/Collect Evidence, Final Survey, Release Scene

Preparation

be mostly prepped ahead of time/always, assign tasks, determine specialists needed

Advanced preparation includes

equipment, vehicles, packaging and collection materials, personal protective equipment, liaison with specialists

Approach Scene

avoid destroying evidence, take control of scene, establish perimeter, make entrance/exit (away from evidence)

Transient Evidence

evidence that will go away quickly for a variety of reasons (blow away, melt, etc)

Secure and Protect Scene

keep out unauthorized personnel, start record of everyone who enters/exits, obtain information about the scene and everything that has been done to it so far

Preliminary Search

initial walkthrough (cautious), make notes, consider methods to process scene

Evaluate Physical Evidence

most to least transient, begins as soon as you get to the scene

Narrative Description

running narrative, note every detail, can be audio, written, or video

Crime Scene Photographs

best way to show a scene to the jury, use photo log, overall, medium, and close-up

Sketch, Diagram, or Drawing

hand-made on scene, approximation, clarifies the position of evidence

Conduct Detailed Search

base search method on scene, avoid contamination

Search methods

circle/spiral, strip, line, grid, zone

Record and Collect Physical Evidence

package properly, keep chain of custody, keep log of all of the evidence collected

Paper packaging

biological materials, can destroy latent prints

Plastic packaging

paper documents, can deteriorate biological materials

KPACK Heat seal bags

good for most evidence, specifically biohazard materials

Paint cans

bomb/arson evidence

Evidence log

description, location, name, evidence item number

Chain of Custody

must have absolutely no gaps to be admissible in court

Conduct Final Survey

review all aspects of search, take exit pictures, ensure all evidence accounted for

Release scene

back to whoever the property belongs to/the public, you cannot go back to the scene, no second chances