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Questions and Answers
What is the primary role of the first officer arriving at a crime scene?
Which step in crime scene investigation involves documenting the scene in detail?
Why is the chain of custody important in crime scene investigations?
What does the step 'Searching the Scene' primarily involve?
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What could happen if evidence is not properly preserved or recognized at a crime scene?
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What is the primary purpose of separating witnesses at a crime scene?
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Which action should be prioritized first at a crime scene?
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What is the role of evidence markers during the scanning of the crime scene?
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In what order should a crime scene be documented according to the outlined procedures?
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What must the sketch made by the crime scene investigator align with?
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Once everyone is safe, extensive efforts must be made to exclude all unauthorized ______ from the scene.
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Every individual who enters the scene must be documented in crime scene ______ as well as the time and date that they entered and exited the scene.
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Witnesses must not be allowed to talk to one another to avoid one witness being ______ by another.
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A trained forensic photographer photographs the evidence that has been ______.
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The sketch made by the crime scene investigator depicts the ______ of the scene and shows the location of all evidence.
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Before evidence can be used, its presence must be recognized at the ______.
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The sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of evidence is known as the ______.
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Crime scene investigators are trained to follow certain steps to ensure evidence is found, secured, and ______.
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The first officer arriving on the scene of a crime must preserve and protect the ______ as much as possible.
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There are ______ overall steps to crime scene investigation.
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What methods can be used to prevent unauthorized access to a crime scene?
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Why is it important to document each individual's entry and exit at a crime scene?
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What is the purpose of sketching the crime scene after photographs are taken?
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Explain why witnesses are separated during an investigation.
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What occurs during the 'Scanning the Crime Scene' step?
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Explain the importance of evidence in a criminal case and what can happen if it is not properly collected.
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Describe how the presence of crime scene investigators contributes to the overall investigation process.
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What are the potential consequences of failing to secure the crime scene immediately upon arrival?
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Outline the implications of the chain of custody in relation to forensic evidence.
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Discuss the role of specialists in a crime scene investigation.
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What are the seven general steps when arriving at a crime scene?
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Study Notes
Securing the Crime Scene
- First responders must secure the scene, but prioritize medical assistance and arrest of perpetrators.
- Unauthorized individuals are excluded using ropes, barricades, and guards.
- Everyone entering the scene must be documented in crime scene logs, including their entry and exit times.
Separating Witnesses
- Witnesses must be separated to prevent collusion and undue influence.
- Standard questioning includes: what did you see? Where were you when you saw it? Did you see anyone else? Do you have any information that may be helpful?
Scanning the Scene
- A quick scan of the scene is conducted by first responders and investigators.
- Evidence is marked with evidence markers.
- This allows for quick recording of the scene.
Seeing the Scene
- A trained forensic photographer photographs the marked evidence.
- Photographs are taken whenever new evidence is marked.
Sketching the Scene
- A rough sketch of the scene is created to show dimensions and location of evidence.
- The sketch should be aligned with photographs and evidence markers.
Searching the Scene
- Investigators conduct a detailed search using a declared search pattern.
- New evidence is marked, photographed, and documented in the sketch.
Securing and Collecting Evidence
- All physical evidence, regardless of size, must be preserved in its original state.
- Each item is handled carefully and wrapped separately to avoid cross-contamination.
- Evidence can be found at the crime scene or during an autopsy.
Chain of Custody
- Evidence must be handled to prevent alteration from the crime scene to the lab.
- Disposable gloves are vital during evidence handling.
- Evidence should remain untouched until documentation is complete.
- Evidence must be packaged appropriately, sealed with evidence tape, and signed by the collecting officer.
- The seal should never be broken. If evidence needs to be processed, it must be removed without puncturing the signed label.
- A Chain of Custody Log must be completed and signatures must match those on the evidence labels.
- The Chain of Custody Log travels with the evidence and records anyone who has come in contact with it.
Packaging Tiny Evidence
- A bindle, also known as a druggist’s fold, is used to secure small and fragile evidence and prevent loss.
Next Steps
- After evidence is collected, it is transferred to a crime lab for further analysis.
Securing the Scene
- The first officer on the scene must protect the area.
- Obtaining medical assistance is prioritized, followed by arresting the perpetrator.
- Unauthorized persons must be excluded from the scene.
- Ropes, barricades, and guards prevent unauthorized access.
- Every person entering the scene must be documented in crime scene logs, including time and date.
Separating Witnesses
- Witnesses must be separated to prevent them from talking to each other.
- This avoids collaboration or one witness influencing another.
- Investigators compare the accounts of witnesses.
- Common questions asked: what did you see, where were you when you saw it, did you see anyone else, do you have any information that may be helpful?
Scanning the Scene
- A quick scan is done to mark evidence with markers.
- A more thorough search is done later.
- The purpose of this step is to quickly create records of the scene.
Seeing the Scene
- Trained forensic photographers take pictures of marked evidence.
- Photos are taken each time new evidence is marked.
Sketching the Scene
- After photos are taken, investigators sketch the scene.
- It’s a rough sketch depicting the dimensions and location of evidence.
- The sketch should match the photos, and evidence markers should align.
Searching the Scene
- Investigators focus on finding all evidence and perform a detailed search.
- A search pattern is declared, and investigators work together to ensure no area is missed.
- New evidence is marked, photographed, and documented in the sketch.
Securing and Collecting Evidence
- Evidence can range from large objects to microscopic traces.
- Evidence must be preserved in its original state as much as possible.
- Each piece of evidence, regardless of its size, is handled carefully and wrapped separately to avoid cross-contamination.
- The search for evidence may extend beyond the crime scene, such as during an autopsy.
Handling Evidence
- Investigators must handle and process evidence to prevent changes from the crime scene to the lab.
- Disposable gloves are vital during evidence handling.
- Evidence should remain unmoved until its location and appearance are documented in notes, sketches, and photos.
- Investigators have tools and packaging materials to secure diverse types of evidence.
Chain of Custody
- The chain of custody protects evidence from the crime scene to the lab.
- Appropriately sized packaging is used, sealed with evidence tape, and signed by the collecting officer.
- Seals must never be broken, and if evidence needs processing, it must be removed without puncturing the evidence label.
- A chain of custody log is filled out, and signatures on the log must match those on the evidence labels.
- The log travels with the evidence and reflects everyone who had contact.
Tiny Evidence
- Tiny evidence is secured using a bindle, also known as a druggist’s fold.
- This method prevents the loss of evidence.
Next Steps
- Once evidence is collected, it is transferred to a crime lab for analysis.
Securing the Crime Scene
- The first responding officer to a crime scene must secure and protect the area.
- Priority is given to medical assistance for those in need and arresting the perpetrator.
- Once safety is established, unauthorized individuals should be excluded from the scene using barriers or security personnel.
- A crime scene log should document the entry and exit of all individuals, including date and time.
Separating Witnesses
- Witnesses should be separated to prevent collaboration and influencing one another.
- Investigators will gather information from each witness independently.
- Common questions asked of witnesses include:
- What did you see?
- Where were you when you observed this?
- Did you see anyone else?
- Do you have any information that could be helpful?
Scanning the Scene
- A quick scan of the crime scene is conducted by first responders and investigators to mark evidence with markers.
- This allows for quick and efficient documentation of the scene.
Seeing the Scene
- A trained forensic photographer photographs all marked evidence.
- Photographs are taken every time new evidence is marked.
Sketching the Scene
- A crime scene investigator creates a rough sketch of the scene.
- The sketch includes the dimensions of the scene and the location of all evidence.
- The sketch should align with photographs and evidence markers.
Searching the Scene
- A more detailed search is performed to find all evidence, following a predetermined search pattern.
- Investigators work collaboratively to ensure that no area is left unsearched.
- New evidence is marked, photographed, and documented in the sketch.
Securing and Collecting Evidence
- Physical evidence can range from large objects to microscopic traces.
- Each piece of evidence should be preserved in its original state as much as possible.
- Evidence should be handled carefully and wrapped separately to avoid contamination.
- The search for evidence isn’t limited to the crime scene; evidence can be found during an autopsy.
Handling and Processing Evidence
- Investigators must handle and process evidence to minimize alteration from the crime scene to the lab.
- Disposable gloves are crucial when handling evidence.
- Evidence should remain undisturbed until investigators have documented its location, appearance, and details in notes, sketches, and photographs.
- Crime scene investigators have various packaging materials and tools for different types of evidence.
Chain of Custody
- The chain of custody protects evidence from the crime scene to the laboratory.
- Evidence should be packaged in a secure manner, using appropriate packaging sealed with tape.
- The collecting officer should sign the evidence tape; the seal should not be broken.
- If evidence needs to be processed, it must be removed without puncturing the signed label.
- A chain of custody log should be completed documenting the signatures on the evidence labels and the individuals handling the evidence.
- This log travels with the evidence.
Bindles
- Tiny evidence is secured using a bindle, also known as a druggist’s fold, to prevent loss.
Next Steps
- Once evidence is collected, it’s usually transferred to a crime lab for analysis.
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Description
Test your knowledge on critical steps in securing a crime scene and effectively documenting evidence. This quiz covers separating witnesses, scanning the scene, and techniques for photographing and sketching the crime scene. Enhance your understanding of forensic investigation protocols.
