crime scene processing

Question 1

locates exchange principle

Answer 1

every contact leaves a trace

Question 2

basic principles to apply at the scene

Answer 2

• arriving at the scene-initial response/prioritisation of efforts
• preliminary documentation and evaluation of the scene
• processing the scene
• completing and recording the crime scene investigation
• crime scene equipment

Question 3

initial response/ prioritisation of efforts

Answer 3

• Initial Response/Receipt of Information
• Safety Procedures
• Emergency Care
• Secure and Control Persons at the Scene
• Establish and Preserve Scene Boundaries
• Transfer Control of the Scene to the Investigator(s) in Charge
• Document Actions and Observations at the Scene

Question 4

preliminary documentation and evaluation of the scene

Answer 4

• conduct scene assessment

- conduct scene ‘walk-through’ and initial documentation

Question 5

conduct scene assessment

Answer 5

- Talk to the first responder regarding his/her observations/activities. 
Introduce yourself and explain role. 
Obtain information
scene boundaries. 
previously chosen pathway. 

• Evaluate safety issues for personnel entering the scene.
  Re-evaluate and modify as necessary
  PPE

Evaluate search and seizure issues. 
Determine the need for: -consent to search. 
-search warrant. 
-prosecutorial/legal 
-resources. 

Evaluate/establish the path of scene entry/exit.
Establish pathway by reassessing and modifying, as necessary, the chosen pathway. Ensure that authorized personnel are informed of any modifications

Evaluate initial scene boundaries.
appropriateness of the initial scene boundaries.
areas where the crime occurred are secure.
areas that are potential points and paths of entry/exit of suspects/witnesses are secure.
areas where victim(s)/evidence may have moved or been moved are secure.
Make modifications as necessary.

Determine the size and number of scene(s).
Prioritize the steps in the scene investigation(s).
Allocate current resources.

Question 6

crime scene management

Answer 6

Establish a secure area for temporary evidence storage.
Evaluate environmental factors that could effect degradation/loss of evidence when selecting a secure area for temporary evidence storage.
Establish a secure area for temporary storage for evidence.

Determine additional resource requirements.
Determine the need for: -additional investigative resources.
-specialized units.
-legal consultation.
-specialized equipment/supplies.
Request additional resources as determined.

Ensure scene integrity/security.
Maintain scene entry/exit documentation.

Ensure preliminary documentation/photography.
Photograph or document conditions that may change.
Photograph or document persons, including injuries or lack thereof.

Question 7

conduct scene walk through and initial documentation

Answer 7

Minimize scene contamination.
Use established entry/exit points and pathway.
PPE prior to entry.
Conduct walk-through

Prepare preliminary documentation.

Identify and protect fragile/perishable evidence.
Evaluate crowds/hostile environment(s)
Evaluate weather conditions
Identify fragile/perishable evidence.
Ensure documentation/photography and collection of fragile/perishable evidence

Question 8

processing the scene

Answer 8

• Determine Team Composition
• Ensure Contamination Control
• Document the Scene
• Prioritize Collection of Evidence
• Collect, Preserve, Inventory, Package, Transport, and Submit Evidence

Question 9

determined team composition

Answer 9

Assess the need for additional personnel.
Specific crimes may require other specialized personnel (e.g., pathologist, blood pattern analysis specialist, police divers, anthropologist, forensic nurse etc. etc.)

-Assess forensic needs.
Determine what forensic specialists are needed (see above)
-Determine what specialized equipment is needed

Question 10

team management

Answer 10

Ensure scene(s) security.

• Identify the individual responsible for maintaining entry/exit documentation.
• Maintain entry/exit documentation.
• Maintain security of scene boundaries.

Select qualified person(s) for specialized tasks.

• Identify photographic needs (e.g., aerial, underwater). Identify sketch/other needs.
• Identify special evidence collection needs

Document team member assignments.

• Establish task priority.
• Assign tasks to team members.
• Record member responsibilities.
• Ensure that assigned tasks are completed.

Question 11

ensure contamination control

Answer 11

• Limit scene access to people directly involved in scene processing.
• Follow established entry/exit pathways at the scene.
• collection of elimination and control samples.
• secure area for trash and equipment.
• Use single-use equipment for direct collection of biological samples.
• PPE
• Clean/sanitize/dispose of tools/equipment between evidence collections.

Question 12

document the scene

Answer 12

• Determine the type of documentation necessary
• Coordinate documentation of the scene.
• Photograph
• Videotape
• preliminary sketch(es) and take measurements.
• notes

Question 13

prioritise collection of evidence

Answer 13

• methodical evaluation considering all physical evidence possibilities.
• Focus first on easily accessible areas in open view
• systematic search pattern for evidence collection.
• Select a progression of processing/collection methods.
• assess environmental and other factors that may affect evidence.
• Be aware of multiple scenes.
• Recognize other methods that are available to locate, technically document, and collect evidence.

Question 14

collect, preserve, inventory, package, transport and submit evidence

Answer 14

• Maintain scene security
• Document the type, location, date, and who collected the evidence.
• Collect items identified as evidence
• Maintain chain of custody.
• Obtain reference/control samples from the scene.
• Obtain elimination samples (as necessary).
• Identify and secure evidence in proper containers.
• Document the description and condition of evidence such as firearms/weapons (prior to rendering them safe).
• Avoid excessive handling of evidence after it is collected.
• Maintain evidence at the scene in a manner designed to diminish degradation/loss.
• Transport and submit evidence for secure storage.

Question 15

strip or lane search method

Answer 15

• covering large open areas

- personnel will line up shoulder to shoulder and move slowly along parallel

Question 16

grid search method

Answer 16

• variation of the strip search method best used outdoors
• personnel will search a strip alongside one axis, east to west then come back and cover the same area north to south axis

Question 17

zone or sector search method

Answer 17

• area to be searched is divided into zone or sectors, each personnel is assigned a sector

Question 18

point to point search

Answer 18

can be used in small confined areas

Question 19

spiral or circular search

Answer 19

outdoor scenes
- this is conducted by a single searcher who walks in a slightly decreasing circle form the outermost boundary towards the centre. can be used for underwater searches

Question 20

clockwise- counter clockwise- inside search

Answer 20

• involves two agents working together
• one working clockwise waist up to the ceiling
• one working counter clockwise waist down to floor
• roles will be reversed and repeated