The Crime Scene

1. The Crime Scene The Proper way to identify, process and preserve evidence

2. At the Scene • For this we use evidence markers • The goals of the evidence collection stage: • Recreate the crime scene or Modus Operandi- to recreate the sequence of events • Find, collect and preserve all physical evidence • Establish a motive • If possible

3. First and Most important Remember Locard’s Principle. The more people who come in and out of the crime scene, the more they destroy crucial evidence, leave and/or leave behind deceptive evidence of their own • Preserve the crime scene, if it has not already been done so. • Tape it off and restrict access to necessary personnel ONLY!!

4. Take Notes Be meticulous!!! • Since time is crucial, it is important that you write down everything you observe • This includes but is not limited to: • The body • Ballistics and Tools marks • Blood • Trace Evidence • Etc.

5. Start Sketching So don’t forget your compass and tape measure • Once again; Approach very meticulously • Draw a rough sketch of the scene • Be sure to include the location of furniture, identified evidence (including the body), windows, doors, etc. • Measure the distances of major objects in the room in relationship to two fixed points (Walls are recommended) • Include measurements and directional references on your sketch (North, South, etc.)

6. Strike a Pose • Photograph/Video the scene • Forever preserves the scene • Catches details that even the most detailed investigator would miss • Some of the strongest evidence presented in court • This should be done before any moving or examining of evidence

7. Go for the Body!! • It is crucial that you examine the body efficiently so that it can be autopsied • Examine the body (if there is one) for evidence on skin, clothing and immediately surrounding area • Photograph & Mark • Careful not to disturb the evidence until you are ready to collect it

8. Walk the Walk • Walk through the crime scene in a systematic manner and document anything that is not supposed to be there • Mark all evidence with a numbered or lettered marker • Photograph anything you find that could be possible evidence. • This is a judgment call that comes with considering your crime scene and experience

9. Processing patterns With all walk through methods, be cautious not to step on any possible evidence The inward spiralsearch: The CSI starts at the perimeter of the scene and works toward the center. Spiral patterns are a good method to use when there is only one CSI at the scene.

10. Processing patterns The parallel search: All of the members of the CSI team form a line. They walk in a straight line, at the same speed, from one end of crime scene to the other.

11. Processing patterns • The grid search: A grid search is simply two parallel searches, offset by 90 degrees, performed one after the other.

12. Processing patterns • The zone search: In a zone search, the CSI in charge divides the crime scene into sectors, and each team member takes one sector. Team members may then switch sectors and search again to ensure complete coverage.