Crime Scene Management and Evidence Security
Overview of Crime Scene Management
Objectives:
EPO #1: Identify major causes of crime scene contamination
EPO #2: Identify the 12 steps of crime scene processing
EPO #3: Identify & differentiate classes & types of evidence
EPO #4: Identify how to properly package & document evidence seized at a crime scene
EPO #5: Know the capabilities of USACIL & evidence submission procedures
Introduction
Investigators gather information from various sources to determine the facts of a case
A crime scene can be a valuable information source, including physical & circumstantial evidence
Investigators play a crucial role in documenting, processing, & preserving the crime scene
Crime Scenes Contamination
Crime scenes are rearly pristine and unaltered
Contamination questions:
Did normal human behavior cause the alteration?
Did the police cause the alteration for alegitimate purpose?
Lack of training?
Carelessness?
Did the suspect cause the alteration?
Was it intentional manipulation?
Criminal and Associates
People suspected of committing the crime may attempt to destroy or remove incriminating evidence from a crime scene
Never allow a suspect inside the perimeters of a crime scene until the scene has been thoroughly documented, processed, & released
Friends or associates of the suspect may return to the scene to gain information or alter the scene by removing evidence
It is imperative that the investigator ensures there is no unauthorized entry into the crime scene
Family & Friends of the Victim
Often attempt to clean up a crime scene to spare victim embarrasment
Possible suspects, may attempt to hides/destroy evidence
Tactfully remove them from the crime scene until documentation & processing is completed
Crowds & Gathering Onlookers
Onlookers might touch possible evidence
Thieves often take valuables off victims
Onlookers can leave a multitude of evidence on their own, that may ultimately contaminate evidence
Perimeter
Additional officers may be necessary to control scene
Establish iner and outer perimeter
Outside perimeter allows a buffer from scene
First Responders
Police often significant containers
Weather
Cuases problems processing any crime scene
Always being prepared will help protect scene from rain, snow, or heat
Pre-plan & equip yourself/response bag with equipment to protect evidence
Equipment
Also represents a possible source of contamination
Can be controlled if crime scene personnel decontaminate
their equipment before & after every crime scene
Equipment that should be decontaminated includes:
Clothing, note pads, photography equipment, sketching equipment, & all processing equipment in the crime scene kit
Crimes involving multiple scenes have similar contamination issues
Using the same equipment for multple scenes could cuase contamination
Addressed by identifying requirements for PPE & a decontamination zone
mask, jumpsuit, gloves, booties, & headcover
All these items must be disposable
Decontamination Zones
Must be established to reduce the potential cross-scene contamination
Area where CS equipment & PPE can be cleaned and discarded properly
Must contain appropriate cleanng supplies
10% Solution of bleach
Prohibited activities
Using the toilet, sinks, water, or towels
Using the telephone
Eating, drinking, or chewing any gum
Using any tobacco products
Turning on or listening to the radio, TV, or any appliance
Key Concepts
Basic Responsibilities: Understand the various tasks of crime scene processing and the importance of maintaining evidence integrity.
Crime Scene Contamination: Be aware of several factors that could lead to contamination, including:
First responder actions
Weather conditions
Presence of unauthorized individuals
EPO #2: 12 Crime Scene Processing Steps
The CSI Effect:
People tend to believe television shows forensic evidence is 100% accurate & that it should be produced in every criminal case
Initial responding investigators need to be aware of the available information to ensure the safety & security of the scene & capture it
for later documentation
The tasks completed to obtain available information by the
first responding law enforcement officer(s) include these
twelve steps
FBI developed the 12-step crime scene processing method
that has become the industry standard for all federal agencies
12 Steps of Crime Scene Processing:
Preparation: Ensure all equipment is ready, charged, clean, and in its proper place.
Approach of Scene:
Initial notification
Document Initial notification details; date, time
Enroute to the scene
Arriving at the scene
DO NOT start processing an active scene
Assess the safety of the scene, document initial observations.
Priority is to obtain control and make scene safe
Victims must be identified & attended to
Preservation of life must be the number one priority
Lead medical to victims so scene is minimally disturbed
Advise them not to clean up so they don’t inadvertently take valuable evidence with them
Secure & Protect Scene: Establish perimeters to control access and avoid contamination.
Removal of Unauthorized Personnel:
The obvious reason to remove someone from their home is to safeguard evidence
Establish a Perimeter:
2 Types:
To contain suspects'
To cordon off area to preserve scene
Incident will determin perimeter size
Boundries may be set by:
CS Tape, ropes, cones
Natrual boundry lines: trees, boulers, rivers etc.
Existing physical boundries: Doors, walls, gates
Vehicles: LE, GOV’s
LE personnel
Locate all crime scenes if it moved; primary, secondary, etc.
Identify pathways traveled by suspect/victems where evidence may be
Inner Perimeter:
Outer Perimeter:
Prsnl w/access:
Supervisors
investigators not actively processing the scene
Auxiliary personnel
Administrative personnel
A ICC may be set up within the outer perimeter
Media
Establish Crime Scene Log:
Post an officer w/1109 to keep crime scene logs & ensure they have a box of gloves
Advise all personnel;
“if they enter the scene, they are subject to write a supplemental report & and may have to appear in court.”
Treat it like classified, need to know
If you are working the crime scene, YOU’RE IN
If you are a gawker, YOU’RE OUT
Preliminary Survey: Assess the scene and identify potential evidence.
Initial walkthrough:
Initial tasks:
Establish a track plan
Generally, this would be a different path than the criminal used if possible
Locate & identify transient evidence
Make priority arraignments to collect evidence
before it is destroyed or lost
Concentrate on the most transient evidence
Take notes as you walk through and include:
Potential evidence:
This is one of the
hardest things because officers don’t
know whether to collect an item or object
or not. The safest rule of thumb is to go by
is “if in doubt, collect the evidence”
Specialized: equipment needed to collect evidence
Specialized personnel used
Additional manpower or labor pool personnel
Read the scene:
Is it an Altered Scene?
Is it a staged scene?
Kill Scene or Dump Scene?
Primary Scene or Secondary Scene?
Details:
Whats on or off?
lights, TV, Oven
Ambient temperature?
Hot/Cold/Humid, Therstat set at, HVAC work
Whats open/closed?
Garage, door, windows, toilet seat
What’s present or missing?
Valubles
Dust on the dresser top & a mark absent of dust is left, showing something is missing
Preliminary videos/photos taken during initial walk
Constant Pressures:
to continue military operations
Command staff will often try to clear the scene quickly
remain calm & explain need to process scene carefully
Never give a specific time of accomplishment
Evaluate Evidence: Consider evidence possibilities and prioritize collection based on vulnerability.
Prepare Notes & Written Narratives: Prepare notes and narratives for evidence processing.
Photographing the Scene: Take comprehensive photographs of the scene.
Starts the documentation process
Crime scene photography should not just focus on the obvious
Purpose of crime scene photography is to document what is
there & where it is at in relationship to the scene, whether it is
obviously connected to the crime or not
Prepare Sketches: Create diagrams showing the layout and evidentiary relationships.
Sketching creates a permanent record of the crime scene’s size & distance relationship & the physical evidence within it
The sketch clarifies the special information in the photographs & video documentation
A sketch is the most simplistic way to present a crime scene layout & measurements
Conduct Searches: Use various search patterns to ensure thorough evidence collection.
The Outward Spiral:
The outward spiral search is where the officer starts at the center of the scene (or at the body) & works outward
The Inward Spiral:
The inward spiral search is where the officer starts at the scene’s perimeter & works toward the center. Spiral patterns are a good method to use when there is only one officer at the scene
The Parallel Search:
The parallel search involves utilizing a team. All of the members of the team form a line. They walk in a straight line, at the same speed, from one end of the crime scene to the other. This is often seen during search & recovery operations
A Grid Search:
A grid search is simply two parallel searches, offset by 90 degrees, performed one after the other
The Zone Search:
A zone search involves utilizing a team. The investigator in charge divides the crime scene into sectors
Comprehensive:
A comprehensive search includes systematically searching from the floor to the ceiling or ceiling to the floor for evidence
May change with a drop or false ceilings containing places that may also need to be searched
Remember to look up, too; every crime scene is threedimensional
Collect Evidence: Record and collect all relevant items, ensuring proper packaging.
Ensure each item has been photographed, skethced, measured BEFORE collecting evidence
Final Walk-Through: Conduct a final evaluation to ensure no evidence is overlooked.
Release Scene: Properly document and close the crime scene to end processing.
Definition: Releasing a crime scene involves giving control back to a relevant party after processing.
Key Individuals:
SNCO or Section Supervisor: Often the first point of contact for release in military settings.
Owner or Adult Resident: For residential scenes, ensure the door is secured.
Documentation: Always document how, when, and to whom the scene was released.
EPO #3: Evidence Types
Key Concept: Evidence is categorized to assist in identification and management.
2 Classes of Evidence
Direct Evidence: Provides proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Examples: Eyewitness testimony, police dashcam footage.
Circumstantial Evidence: Can connect facts but doesn’t directly prove it. can either be:
Physical Evidence: Objects (e.g., fingerprints, footprints, impressions, fibers, Bullets, weapons).
Biological Evidence: Includes plant parts, blood, etc.
7 TYPES, Evidence is further broken down
Mobile Evidence: Easily transportable items like vehicles, bags, electronic devices.
Fixed Evidence: Immovable items (e.g., buildings, utility poles).
Fragile Evidence: Deteriorates without careful handling (e.g., blood in the snow).
Demonstrative Evidence: Models depicting crime events.
Documentary Evidence: Written materials (emails, texts).
Testimonial Evidence: Personal accounts (witness, victim statements). Confessions are direct evidence
Trace Evidence: Small items that are often overlooked (hair, glass, paint flake).
EPO #4: Evidence Collection and Handling
Preventing Cross-Contamination:
Package items that could contaminate one another separately.
Use sealable, tamper-proof containers.
Packaging Evidence
General Guidelines:
Use paper containers for most evidence (packets, envelopes, bags).
Liquids need non-breakable containers; arson materials in airtight metal cans.
Collect syringes safely: Avoid touching the plunger to prevent contamination.
Tamper Evidence: Use tamper-evident seals noting initials & dates.
Specific Types
Syringes:
Puncture resistant clear plastic tubes specifically designed for needle/syringes should be used
When packaging a syringe you must take care to avoid contaminating the needle or the barrel of the syringe
Syringe should be placed in a sterile container
Properly sealed so that its contents cannot readily escape
Sealed using tamper indicating evidence tape
Must seal every opening or seam
Place a biohazard label to clearly mark the evidence as a possible hazard
Knife
May use a knife box or tube
Consider forensics on object, prints
Allow blood to air dry before placing knife in container
Properly Seal
Marked with BIOHAZARD, SHARPS
Always allow enough box or bag material to be opened and resealed by laboratory personnel
Seals must use tamper indicating evidence tape
Must seal every opening or seam
All evidence tape seals must have at a minimum the initials
of the individual making the seal and the date it was sealed
Firearm Packaging:
Should be handled by surfaces which does not allow for good fingerprints
Includes serrations on the slide
Checkered stocks/grips
Knurled areas of the firearm
Ensure the weapon is unloaded and secure in a specially designed box.
Use zip-ties for immobilizing the firearm.
Label with ‘Weapon Cleared’ or ‘Unloaded’.
DO NOT place anything in weapon barrel because:
may damage the rifling
may affect ballistics testing
may remove trace evidence
Always allow enough box or bag material to be opened and resealed by laboratory personnel
Outer package must show the weapon has been cleared
with a marker by writing “Weapon Cleared” or “Unloaded,” or by a commercially available sticker stating, “Weapon Cleared” or “Unloaded”
Empty ammo pouches, slings, scopes, speed loaders, & holsters should be properly packaged separately
Ammunition Management:
Must be sent separately from firearms; comply with shipping regulations.
Loose ammunition placed in a box or bag & sealed
Boxes of unfired ammunition may be kept in the original container
Identical cartridges (same color, shape, and/or markings) obtained from the same geographic area may be packaged as a single
Projectiles (Bullets)
Projectiles embedded in the wood, plaster, or other objects should be left in the item the entire item taken as evidence
Do not attempt to dig a bullet out
Remove by cutting out a portion of the material in which the bullet is embedded
Send the piece of material containing the bullet to the laboratory
If the projectile is easily recovered or has been recovered because of a medical procedure, be handled with care to protect the markings
To ensure the integrity, wrap the bullet in soft paper tissue (Guaz)
Place inside a smaller box, seal, & finally place inside a larger evidence container
Properly seal the bag/box
Magazines
Empty magazine from the weapon may be packaged with the cleared weapon or may be packaged separately at the discretion of the S2I investigator
In all cases, ammunition will be packaged separately
Ammunition may be retained in the magazine & packaged as one piece of evidence
Often the best fingerprints & DNA evidence
Inclusion of the magazine will aid the lab processes such as function checks & test firings
Currency
Currency seized by S2I investigators for evidentiary value purposes should be documented, packaged, & placed into evidence
Currency should be separated & packaged by denomination
Item 1 contains all $1.00 bills,
Item 2 contains all $5.00 bills,
Item 3 contains all quarters, etc.
E-cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes (E-Cigarettes) are battery powered devices that function by heating a liquid into an aerosol that is inhaled by the user
Seperate components into seperate bags, place cartridge in leak proof container, ship together
Drugs
weighed narcotics or medications in front of second SF member
DO NOT package wet plant material, including mushrooms
Will mold result in loss of substance
Seal recently dried plant material in paperbags
EPO #5: Shipping and Transporting Evidence
Shipping Regulations:
Do not send firearms or ammunition via USPS; needs special handling and containers.
Biohazard materials must be packaged according to OSHA standards with appropriate labeling.
Chain of Custody
Documentation: Ensure chain of custody is unbroken.
Include case numbers, evidence tag details, and collector’s initials.
Forensic Analysis Branches of USACIL
Firearm & Toolmark Branch: Firearm functionality testing, toolmark analysis, and more.
Forensic Document Branch: Handwriting comparisons, document preservation.
Latent Print Branch: Analysis of fingerprints and shoe tracks.
Trace Evidence Branch: Checks for residues and minute traces (e.g., hair, glass).
Digital Evidence Branch: Digital forensics and multimedia analysis.
Conclusion
Proper protocols in crime scene management are critical for maintaining evidence integrity, which ultimately supports the judicial process. Always familiarize yourself with these steps and adhere to regulations.