Do now: What steps do you take in processing a crime scene?

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Do now What steps do you take in processing a
crime scene?
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• THE CASE
• As part of his job, a man climbs a ladder, gets
  caught in a windstorm and ends up trapped inside
  a glass booth. Some people see him struggling
  and offer money others turn their backs and walk
  away. The man never asks for help and no one
  makes any effort to help him.
• THE MYSTERY
• What is this mans occupation and who pays him?
• CLUES
• The mans job requires training.
• The man wears the same outfit to work every day.
• Some laugh at the mans struggles.
• The man does not receive a regular paycheck.
• The man relies on the kindness of strangers.
• The man wears black and white makeup to work.

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Survey The Scene of the Crime

• Aim How does Locards Principle apply to a
  crime scene?

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The Scene of the Crime
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Analyzing Processing the Crime Scene

• Approach, Secure, and Protect Scene
• Determine scene boundaries (preliminary survey)
• Conduct a walk-through
• Determine personnel equipment needs
• Develop general theory of crime
• Evaluate physical evidence possibilities
• Concentrate on most transient
• Evaluate if the scene or evidence appears
  contrived
• Has evidence been moved? Missing?
• Narrative description-written, audio, video
• Photograph scene- ASAP!- Before evidence
  collection from eyelevel
• Use recognized scale device for size
  determination (photo with without)
• Photo entry and exit
• Photo spectators standing around watching
  activities
• Victim can be examined after all photos are taken

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• Sketch/Diagram scene
• - Permanent record of items, conditions,
  distance/size relationships
• - Rough sketch is drawn at scene
• What to include?
• Specific Location
• Date / Time
• Case Identifier Preparer
• Weather Conditions
• Lighting Conditions
• Scale
• Compass Orientation
• Evidence
• Measurements
• Key or Legend

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• Conduct detailed search
• Based upon evidence possibilities
• General to Specific
• 3 Dimensional
• Specialized search patterns
• Evidence log
• Proper collection techniques
• Seal all evidence containers at scene
• Obtain Known Standards
• (e.g. fiber sample from carpet)

• Conduct final survey
• -check for errors
• Release crime scene
• Time, date. To whom, by whom
• Re-entry may require a warrant

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• Fingertip Search
• -Coveralls prevent searchers clothing from
  contaminating the scene. Examined after for
  residual evidence.
• -Gloves prevent searchers DNA from contaminating
  the scene.
• Masks are worn to protect evidence. ( sometimes
  safety of searchers)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder fingertip search is used for
  small crime scenes trace evidence collection.
• Notes written at scene are valuable as evidence.
  Photography is vital!

Police search an area where a womans body was
found in a suitcase in 2001
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Sample Crime Scene Photographs