Malcolm Rivera
Crime scene investigation is a complex process that requires careful coordination and a multitude of expertise. The first officer or supervisor at the scene plays a crucial role in securing the area, ensuring the safety of those present, and preserving evidence. This involves isolating the crime scene, removing unnecessary individuals, and establishing a perimeter to prevent contamination. The next step is to identify the primary crime scene, where the criminal acts occurred, and any secondary crime scenes or related areas. A thorough search for physical evidence is then conducted, which must be carefully collected, documented, and preserved to ensure its admissibility in a court of law. This process is guided by the Crime Scene Manager, who facilitates the input of specialists, including Scene Examiners, forensic specialists, and the Scientific Support Coordinator. Each crime scene is unique, presenting its own challenges, and investigators must be mindful of the transient and time-sensitive nature of physical evidence.
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What You'll Learn
Crime scene documentation
The first officer is often followed by a Scene of Crime Examiner (SCE), who makes an early assessment and takes necessary actions to preserve the scene before the examination begins. In serious or major crimes, the SCE may wait for the Crime Scene Manager or an equivalent individual before starting the examination. The Senior Investigator and Crime Scene Manager then agree on a scene examination plan based on the early assessment and the forensic strategy. This strategy is set by a multidisciplinary team, including SCEs, forensic specialists or experts, and the Crime Scene Manager.
The Crime Scene Manager's role is to supervise the scene examination, facilitating the input of specialists to maximise evidence extraction. They are directly responsible to the Senior Investigator and the Scientific Support Coordinator, if appointed, for managing the crime scene. The Scientific Support Coordinator advises on the requirement for Scientific Support services, provides a structured approach, coordinates resources, and ensures that all persons entering the scene wear protective clothing, including overshoes, face masks, and gloves.
The Scene Examiner is responsible for locating and gathering photographic, video, forensic, and fingerprint evidence using various techniques. They should also document all actions related to evidence preservation and recovery. This includes receiving advice and quality assurance on scientific matters, such as evidence storage and packaging, and recording all actions and policy decisions in a Crime Scene Manager's Log Book.
Proper crime scene documentation involves photography, note-taking, reports, sketches, measurements, and recording the names of individuals collecting evidence and their dates and times of presence. Consistency between these methods is crucial, and notes and reports should be constructed in chronological order, excluding opinions, analysis, or conclusions. Crime scene photographs are particularly important, as they provide a visual record of the evidence before any potential contamination occurs. Sketches and diagrams with measurements complement the photographs by offering a wider representation of the scene, especially when it is spread out over a large area, such as a house.
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Evidence recognition
The next step is to establish a crime scene perimeter, which is typically done using police tape. The size of the crime scene perimeter is determined by the investigator and includes all areas where the suspect had any interaction or activity, including points of entry and exit, as well as areas where interaction with the victim occurred. In some cases, the investigator may need to identify one large crime scene or several smaller areas to set the perimeters.
Once the scene is secure, the investigation team can begin their work. The investigation team usually consists of a multi-disciplinary group, including Scene of Crime Examiners (SCEs), forensic specialists, and a Crime Scene Manager (CSM). The SCEs are responsible for locating and gathering evidence, while the Crime Scene Manager supervises the examination, facilitating the input of specialists to ensure maximum evidence extraction. All actions carried out during this process must be carefully documented to maintain the integrity of the evidence.
The evidence collected at the scene must be properly identified, collected, and secured using specific techniques and procedures to prevent damage or contamination. Each piece of evidence is then logged onto an evidence log, marked with an evidence label, and a chain of custody is established. This chain of custody must be completed by every person who handles the evidence to ensure its admissibility in a court of law. Additionally, investigators must ensure they have a warrant to search for and collect evidence from the crime scene, as per the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.
In summary, evidence recognition involves a systematic approach to securing the crime scene, isolating the area, gathering and documenting evidence, and maintaining the proper chain of custody. By following these steps, investigators can ensure the integrity and admissibility of the evidence collected, which is crucial for the success of any criminal investigation.
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Evidence collection and packaging
The first step in evidence collection is to secure the crime scene. This involves stopping all ongoing activities and removing everyone from the area, including first responders, witnesses, victims, and suspects. Once the area is cleared, the crime scene perimeter can be established using physical barriers, typically police tape. The size of the crime scene perimeter is determined by the investigator and includes all areas where the suspect has had interaction or activity, including points of entry and exit.
Within the secured crime scene, the next step is to locate and gather evidence. This includes photographic, video, forensic, and fingerprint evidence, which the Scene Examiner is responsible for collecting. It is essential to use proper packaging for evidence collection. Most biological evidence is packaged in paper bags or boxes, as plastic can promote the growth of mould and degrade the evidence. Items should be air-dried and packaged individually to prevent the unintended transfer of biological material.
Additionally, the Scene Examiner should document all actions taken during the evidence collection process. This includes recording and documenting physical evidence, which can be time-sensitive or concealed. The Crime Scene Manager supervises the scene examination, facilitating the input of specialists to ensure maximum evidence extraction. They are responsible for providing a structured approach, coordinating resources, and ensuring that all persons entering the scene wear protective clothing, including overshoes, face masks, and gloves.
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Witness identification
Showups are considered unreliable, and factors such as officers suggesting that the witness has the right suspect or the witness overhearing police communications can lead to false identifications. Despite this, showup identifications are admissible in criminal trials. To enhance the reliability of eyewitness identification, the Colorado Department of Revenue emphasizes the use of appropriate techniques and the involvement of interpreters when language or hearing barriers are present.
During a witness identification procedure, witnesses should be instructed not to discuss details of the incident or identification process with other witnesses. Whenever possible, the procedure should be audio and/or video recorded, and the member presenting the lineup should not be involved in the investigation or know the suspect's identity. Techniques such as random numbering of photographs, shuffling folders, or using computer programs can help achieve this. Individuals in the lineup should match the witness's description of the perpetrator and have similar characteristics to avoid anyone standing out.
In cases with multiple suspects, separate lineups should be conducted for each suspect, with individuals presented sequentially rather than simultaneously. A live lineup is only appropriate before criminal proceedings have been initiated, and field identifications may be necessary when exigent circumstances prevent a photo or live lineup. Witness certainty in their identification or non-identification should be described in their own words and included in the process.
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Forensic traces
The first officer or supervisor arriving at the crime scene holds significant responsibility. They must secure the area, ensure the safety of individuals present, and isolate potential witnesses to prevent collusion. Additionally, they play a crucial role in preserving the scene to ensure the integrity of any evidence present. This includes preventing contamination, which can occur due to the activities of first responders, victims, suspects, or witnesses.
Crime scene investigators employ various techniques to identify, collect, and document forensic traces. They take photographs, make sketches, and conduct measurements to capture the overall layout and specific details of the scene. This visual documentation aids in recreating the crime scene if needed. Investigators also search for and collect physical evidence, such as fingerprints, footprints, tire tracks, blood, body fluids, hairs, fibres, and fire debris.
The collection and preservation of forensic traces must adhere to specific procedures to ensure the evidence's integrity and admissibility in court. Each piece of evidence is logged, labelled, and handled according to the chain of custody, which records every individual who comes into contact with the evidence. This meticulous process helps prevent contamination and ensures that the evidence remains undamaged and acceptable for legal proceedings.
The investigation process often involves a multidisciplinary team, including Scene of Crime Examiners (SCEs), forensic specialists, and a Crime Scene Manager who facilitates the input of specialists. The Crime Scene Manager also oversees the examination process, working closely with the Senior Investigator and the Scientific Support Coordinator to ensure the effective utilisation of scientific resources and the proper documentation of all actions and decisions.
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Frequently asked questions
This phrase refers to the fact that certain actions or evidence do not directly contribute to or impact the immediate, on-ground activities of an investigation.
On-scene activities are those that occur at the physical location of an incident and are often time-sensitive, requiring immediate attention. Distinguishing these actions helps prioritize tasks, manage resources effectively, and ensure a focused approach to the investigation.
Absolutely. While not directly impacting the on-ground activities, such information can provide valuable context, supporting evidence, or additional leads to be pursued during the investigation. These actions may include reviewing documents, analyzing data, conducting interviews, or gathering evidence from other sources, all of which contribute to the overall case but are not considered part of the immediate on-scene response.
