L2.1 Crime Scene Investigation
What is the difference between a primary and secondary crime scene? Give an example of each.
The primary crime scene is the original crime scene while the secondary crime scene is the location after the crime scene. An example of a primary crime scene is the house in which a murderer committed a crime in, and an example of a secondary crime scene is the location the body in which the murderer moved it to like a dumpster. |
What is the difference between macroscopic and microscopic crime scenes? Give an example of each.
List the procedures crime scene investigators and first responders take in order of importance.
Assist victim Search (and arrest) for suspect if still in the scene Protect and secure the scene using barrier tape, official vehicles, etc.
Separate and secure witnesses Search for and preserve evidence
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What can different types of evidence tell you about a crime?
Linkage of people, scenes or objects Information on the corpse Witness statements Identification of suspects Identification of drugs or alcohol Reconstruction of crime Information of corpus delicti Information on modus operandi
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List the 4 main types of crime scene documentation and a short description of what each is useful for.
Photography Recorded in a photo log and can be used in imaging technology to map out a crime scene
Notes Who, what, where, when, why notification info, arrival info, scene description, victim description, and crime scene team
Videography Use a placard that includes necessary info (time, date, case number, etc..) Begin with the scenes surroundings and videotape the orientation of evidence Record the victim’s viewpoint Recordings are used as evidence and should not be edited.
Sketching Final documentation step Two most common perspectives: overhead/birds-eye view and elevation/side view Three techniques used to obtain measurements: triangulation, baseline, and polar coordinates
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What is the purpose of a preliminary scene survey? What information is recorded?
The survey is used to track any evidence before the documentation process. Information that helps with the reconstruction of the scene, includes immediate processing/protection, points of exit/entry, and initial observations. |
Fill in the chart.
Search Method | How is it conducted? | Where is it best used? (consider pros and cons) |
Link Method | One type of evidence leads to the next item | large, small, outdoor, and indoor scenes |
Line/Strip Method | -Scene is divided into parallel strips -Searchers walk straight on their “line” in order to scan their specific area | large, outdoor areas |
Grid Method | Searchers overlapping lines, but time consuming | large fields |
Zone Method | -scenes with defined zones/quadrants -Teams are assigned a zone where they usually use another method.
| houses or buildings |
Wheel/Ray Method | used in only specific occasions and have limited application | small and circular scenes with little obstacles |
Spiral Method | Inward or outward spiral, has limited application | crimes scenes with no physical barriers (outdoor/open water) |
What type of evidence should be collected first? How are they packaged?
Transient, fragile, or easily lost evidence is collected first. Evidence is packaged into a primary container that is placed inside a secondary container. Evidence tape then completely covers the opening of the outer container and is marked with the initials of the collector.
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List the stages of crime scene construction.
Data collection Conjecture (possible explanation of what happened at the crime scene) Hypothesis formulation Testing Theory formulation
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