Lividity
pooling of blood in lowest parts of the body due to gravity after death
Rigor Mortis
stiffening of muscles after death
Algor Mortis
cooling of body post-mortem
Livor Mortis
discoloration caused by blood settling in body
purpose of fire investigation
determine origin and cause of fire
Problems with fire investigations
potential contamination, destruction of evidence, and hazards like structural instability
What to identify at fire scene
What to include in a diagram
when to create sketches
benefits of crime scene photography
problems with crime scene photography
forms of documentation
notes, photos, sketches, reports
when establishing perimeter at scene
what are ballistics
issues with crime scene integrity
Scientific Method
apply a systematic approach:
- observe, hypothesize, test, analyze, and conclude
Crime Scene Processing Methodology
duties of first responding officer
bloodstain patterns
directionality (tail of bloodstain), spatter, castoff
How to measure bloodstain
angle of impact: inverse sin (width divided by length)
fingerprinting considerations
surface type: smooth, porous, nonporous
techniques: dusting, chemical treatments (ninhydrin, superglue fuming)
photographing body
position, injuries, surroundings, move after thorough documentation
Dealing with buried remains
types of bloodstains