Crime Scene Procedures

Crime Scene Procedure

• The success of criminal investigations and subsequent prosecution often depends on the evidence found at the crime scene.
• Identification, collection, processing, and preservation of evidence are of utmost importance.

Initial Response

• The first deputies at a major crime scene will assume initial command and request needed assistance.
• The first deputy to respond will be in charge of the scene until relieved by a supervisor.
• Deputies in charge will:
  • Aid the injured.
  • Apprehend the suspect.
  • Protect the crime scene.
  • Detain witnesses.
  • Establish a secure perimeter.
  • Protect the scene.
  • Establish an entry control point and record the name, agency, and reason for entry, and time in and out of any person entering the scene.

Requesting Crime Scene Technician

• Supervisors will respond to the scene and decide if a Crime Scene technician is needed.
• Crime Scene technicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Technicians respond to:
  • Homicides, suicides, accidental deaths, and suspicious unattended deaths.
  • Shootings involving deputies.
  • Sexual batteries with a crime scene.
  • Bank robberies with a crime scene.
  • Aggravated batteries with a crime scene and injuries.
  • Unusual crime scenes requiring highly technical processing.
  • Kidnappings with a crime scene.
  • Requests by field command staff or other supervisor-level staff.

Crime Scene Processing

• Routine crime scenes are the responsibility of patrol deputies who will:
  • Identify the incident's location.
  • Process the crime scene for latent fingerprints.
  • Collect any physical evidence.
  • Submit physical evidence to Crime Scene, Crime Lab, or Evidence Control.
  • Take elimination fingerprints, palmprints, and footprints as needed.
  • Transport evidence to Crime Lab or Evidence Control.
  • Prepare needed written reports and documentation.
• Routine crime scenes include:
  • Burglaries.
  • Auto thefts/recovery.
  • Vandalism.
  • Aggravated assaults.
  • Armed robberies with no injuries.
  • Deaths when the attending doctor signs the death certificate.

Crime Scene Investigative Aides (CSIA)

• Crime Scene Investigative Aides are specially trained Community Service Aides (CSAs) with 40 hours of specialized training in crime scene processing.
• CSIA have the capability to process routine crime scenes.
• CSIA will generally process only crime scenes involving property crimes.
• CSIA will:
  • Process the crime scene for latent fingerprints and serological evidence.
  • Collect any physical evidence.
  • Take elimination prints and DNA standards if appropriate.
  • Prepare needed written reports and documentation.

Evidence Submission

• The collection, documentation, packaging, and submission of latent print evidence to the Crime Lab Latent Print Unit must be in accordance with the Evidence Submission Manual.
• Only suspects or eliminations listed on a Request for Services Form (CL 15) will be compared to the latent lifts/photos.
• Request for Services Form (CL 15) can be submitted with the initial latent submission or later on in the investigation.
• Elimination prints will be submitted for victims and persons having regular access to the crime scene.
• Elimination prints must include fully-rolled fingerprint impressions, palm prints, and when applicable footprint impressions.
• Elimination prints should be obtained in every case where latent prints have been lifted and will be submitted to the Crime Lab.

Marking the Location of Fired Cartridge Casings

• Deputies shall mark the location of each casing for documentation purposes.
• Deputies can use evidence markers, case cards, or any other easily identifiable item for marking the location of each casing.
• Deputies must wear a facial covering and gloves when placing the marking device for each casing.
• The marking device must NOT be placed directly over the fired cartridge casing to avoid any potential DNA contamination.