Lecture 2: Crime Scene Investigation and The Nature of Evidence

Forensic Science begins at the crime scene! (It’s like a puzzle)

✓ Scientists are part of a team with police.
✓ Police need to recognize what is important evidence.
✓ Must be selective when collecting evidence (not everything can be analyzed)
✓ Evidence must be properly preserved and not contaminated.
✓ Maintain chain of custody.
✓ Every crime scene is different…procedure varies.
✓ Health & safety precautions must be practiced

Goal of processing crime scene is to collect and preserve evidence for later analysis and reporting. The processing of a crime scene is a “Careful
destruction”, since you cannot undo actions taken in the course of processing a scene. It must document information, relationships and context
of items to allow for some level of reconstruction in the laboratory.

TYPICAL Crime Scene-see text for diagram

Crimes are reported in one of three ways: i) By a witness to a crime, ii) by a victim of the crime, iii) by law enforcement while the incident is in
progress.

First Responding Officer (first on the scene) duties:

-Ascertains if perpetrator is on scene (hot search-at scene vs. cold search where they have left the scene)
-Tends to injured
-Notifies needed personnel (supervisor, medical examiner, CS team)
-Secures scene & avoid walking through the scene or searching for evidence
-Insures safety
WHICH is the MOST IMPORTANT?

The Crime Scene Investigator’s duties:

-Confer with the first responding officer. -Determine the crime scene perimeter & secure it.
- Determine search objectives and what is required -Document actions and observations.
-Accomplish or direct search of the crime scene.
-Release the scene. (This may be up to coroner, investigating officer or someone higher in the chain of command).
-Conduct a preliminary scene survey or “walk- through”

The Golden Rule of Crime Scene Investigation:

Never touch, change, or alter anything until it has been documented, identified, measured, and photographed . . . when a body or article has
been moved, it can never be restored to its original position." Note: there are 2 exceptions:
(1) If the potential exists that an item of evidence (weapon) could be used to cause harm/death to someone at the scene. If any victim may still
be alive then first aid becomes the priority!!! (I.e., Recent shooting scene in France where 4 yr old girl was in the vehicle for 8 hours!!)
(2) If the potential exists for an item/evidence to be lost, contaminated or destroyed:
"Transient evidence" is that type of short-lived evidence subject to damage or destruction by exposure to the elements." "Evidence which
changes with the passage of time."

The preliminary survey is an organizational stage to plan for the search.

Cautiously walk through the scene. Mentally prepare a reconstruction theory that can/should be changed as the investigation progresses. NOTE:
everyone uses same walk-through path, coroner, officers etc. During the preliminary survey:
-Identify and protect transient physical evidence.
-Take preliminary photographs. Select a narrative technique (written, audio, or video). Record initial observations.

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 Lecture 2: Crime Scene Investigation and The Nature of Evidence

-Delineate the extent of the search area. Usually expand the initial perimeter.
-Note all points of entry/exit and paths of travel within scene.
-Organize methods and procedures. Recognize special problem areas. Determine personnel and equipment needs making specific
assignments.
“The final results of a properly documented crime scene, is the ability of others to take your finished work and reconstruct the events that
occurred at the scene at your court room presentation. In the Scene Documentation stage there are 3 steps to properly document the scene.”*

i) Written Notes which include; - Notification Information (Date/Time/Method of Notification)

-Arrival Information (Date/Time/Personnel in & out of scene)
-Scene Description (Weather/location/condition/points of entry)
-Victim Description (Position found/wounds/clothing etc.)
-Crime Scene Team (Members names/Evidence handling)

ii) Photograph- Traditional/Digital and Video

It provides a true and accurate pictorial record of the crime scene and physical evidence present. It also records the initial condition of the crime
scene. The scene is photographed in a progressive sequence, overview to close-up. First without a scale, then with a scale. Start with an
overview to show evidence location in relation to fixed position. Follow with a medium view and then Close-up with scale and marker. Film is
cheap; you can never take too many pictures. Most police forces are now digital. Move evidence for better photograph only after the "as is"
photograph has been taken.
-Photography should begin as soon as possible, before evidence is recovered
-Photographic log includes a list of photos taken and corresponding descriptions and locations of what is in the photograph
-Photographs should have overall or perspective views, medium and close-up views. They should be taken with and without a scale
-Include photos of landmarks with 360° coverage
Video-It is a three-dimensional portrayal of the crime scene which usually follows the scene survey.

iii) Sketch-Initial (Rough)/Final (Refined)-Sketches include important elements for reconstruction. They are used to complement photographs.
They should include the following information:
1.Case identifier 2.Date, time and location
3.Identity of deceased 4.Officer identification
5.Dimensions of rooms, furniture, doors, and windows 6. Distances between objects, persons, bodies
7. Entrances, and exits 8. An arrow pointing toward magnetic north
9. Legend
Types of Sketches: Elevation (side view), Sectional (cut-away), Perspective (3-D), Scale Models, Exploded and Overview (floor plan) are the
most common.

Search Techniques:
The main goal is to provide an organized and systemic structure to ensure that no items of physical evidence are missed or lost. Always Be
Aware that the Search Pattern May Need To Change
Patterns include: Spiral- Circular Out-In or In-Out, Used on water Line- Good for Large Areas i.e. fields
Grid- very time-consuming but most common Zone/Checkerboard- Effective in houses/buildings

Proper collection, preservation and packaging of evidence is crucial….REMEMBER…

The chain of custody documents the movement of evidence from the time it is obtained to the time it is presented in court.

Collection & Preservation of Evidence: Once the area has been thoroughly documented, then the collection process can begin. Different
organizations have their own evidence collection guidelines. Evidence may be submitted to the lab by agency personnel, CSIs, or law
enforcement officers. Forms include information regarding what is submitted, by whom, & what lab examinations are requested.

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 Lecture 2: Crime Scene Investigation and The Nature of Evidence

NOTE: A WORD ABOUT HEALTH & SAFETY AND PPE:

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Articles such as disposable gloves, masks, eye protection, and lab coats that are utilized to provide a barrier to keep biological or chemical
hazards from contacting the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes and to avoid contamination of the crime scene.

Three Major Steps of Evidence Collection: i) Recognition of Evidence ii) Collection of Evidence
iii) Packaging & Preservation of Evidence
Specific packaging required for different types of evidence, for example:
• Living plants (marijuana): need breathable containers
• Trace evidence: use evidence or druggist’s fold
• Fire residues: airtight container
Evidence Collection Tools: Scales, markers, and templates. Plastic evidence bags are used for dry materials. Avoid packaging evidence that
may mildew in plastic bags. Dry out wet, “bloody” evidence and place in paper bags. A fingerprint identification kit is another essential tool.

What is Evidence? Different Definitions:

-Testimony, records, documents, material objects, or other things presented at a trial to prove the existence or nonexistence of a fact .”
-“Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the

other.”
-“Data proving a point or contributing to a solution.”

TYPES of Evidence?
PHYSICAL/NON-PHYSICAL REAL/DEMONSTRATIVE KNOWN/UNKNOWN INDIVIDUAL/CLASS

Physical evidence- consists of objects or things

Non-physical evidence- verbal testimony about a crime or someone’s actions during a crime

FOUR Major Categories of Physical evidence: i. Drugs/Chemicals ii. Trace iii. Biological iv. Pattern

Real evidence- generated be criminal activity. Found at crime scene or obtained from suspect- gun, drugs, blood
Demonstrative- created to help explain or clarify real evidence- 3-D scale, drawing, charts from analytical instrument

Known evidence or Comparison Evidence. We know where evidence came from and its source (Important during reconstruction of crime scene)
Unknown evidence or Questioned evidence of which the source is unknown i.e. Bullet found in body, glass in shoes, blood at crime scene.
Many times you will hear evidence referred to as “K” (known) and “Q” (questioned or unknown).

Individual evidence- a sufficient quantity of characteristics specific to a piece of evidence that allows inference it came from one source,
(fingerprint)-leads to IDENTIFICATION
Class evidence- characteristics of evidence that allow the inference the evidence may have come from several sources (Carpet fiber)
The concept of a common source depends on the material in question i.e. Mode of production
Individualization of an object means that it can be classified into a group with only one member therefore…The Object is unique

-Comparison
• Comparison tests are what determine if evidence is individual
• Unknown evidence is compared with known evidence
• There must be a sufficient number of unique points present for evidence identification
• Examiner must have enough points to be sure his or her conclusion provides that the unknown and known have a common source

- Contamination is an UNDESIRED transfer of information between items of evidence. To minimize this:

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 Lecture 2: Crime Scene Investigation and The Nature of Evidence

-When possible every item of evidence should be packaged separately.

-Contamination can be limited through properly designed facilities, protective clothing and quality-centered protocols regarding handling and
packaging of evidence

-Controls
• When you test a piece of evidence for certain properties or characteristics, such as blood, you need to test controls too.
• Positive control is a substance that reacts to give a positive result i.e. sample other blood to show that the test works.
• Negative control is a substance that is a known material that would be expected to yield a negative result to a particular test

All evidence collected at the crime scene should be tagged. If the item cannot be tagged then it should be labeled or marked. Consistency should
always be adhered to in the information that is used for marking and labeling the evidence. The packaging should include the following
information:
-description of item -police case number or identifier -date
-location of collection -collectors name and identifier -brand name
-serial number or garment identifier

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT STEPS IN EVIDENCE COLLECTION:

• Any items that may cross-contaminate each other must be packaged separately.
• The containers should be closed and secured (seal numbers) to prevent mixture of evidence during transportation.
• Need to consider the collection of comparison/control samples.
• Most items will be collected in paper containers such as packets, envelopes, and bags. Liquids can be transported in non-breakable,
leak-proof containers.
• Moist or wet evidence (blood, plants, etc.) must be allowed to completely air dry & then can be packaged in a paper bag.

NOTE: In a legal case, whoever determines guilt or innocence is called the Trier-of-fact. That would be the judge and/or jury. Evidence is critical
to a trial to help the trier of fact.

Crime Scene Reconstruction:-is the process of determining or eliminating the events that occurred at the crime scene. It is based on scientific
experimentation/method & the experience of the investigator

The Scientific Method:

Preliminary questions must be answered before hypothesis is formulated
i)Sufficient material to analyze? Ii)If the amount is limited, decisions must be made about which tests to perform first
iii)Do the Non-destructive tests first iv)Keep some evidence for analyses by opposing experts.
Why Should We Use the Scientific Method?
-So experiments can be repeated by others -To decrease bias
-Systematic, consistent procedure

The Final Survey: Review all aspects of the search

A final walk-through of the scene by at least two people is a must. The crime scene can be released after the final survey. Document the time
and date of release, to whom and by whom the scene was released.

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