Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation (Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations)

No two crime scenes are the same, and each scene presents a unique set of obstacles to overcome. While there is no one "right" way to handle every situation, the goal of collecting evidence while preserving its integrity remains the constant motivation of the crime scene investigator.

INTRODUCTION
Police Goals and Objectives
Evidence Defined
The Interpretive Value of Evidence
Good Crime Scene Examination and Integrity Issues
Investigative Ethics
UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
Class and Individual Characteristics
Fingerprint Evidence
Serology and Biological Evidence
Trace Evidence
Hairs and Fibers
Glass
Paints and Polymers
Soils
Gunshot Residues (GSR)
Firearms and Ballistic Evidence
Tool Mark Evidence
Impression Evidence
General Chemical Evidence
Document Evidence
Computer Forensics
Forensic Pathology
ACTIONS OF THE INITIAL RESPONDING OFFICER
Specific Objectives of the Initial Response
Documenting Initial Information
Officer Safety
Emergency Care
Secure and Control the Crime Scene
Release the Scene to Appropriate Authorities
PROCESSING METHODOLOGY
Basic Activities of Scene Processing
Assessing
Observing
Documenting
Searching
Collecting
Processing/Analyzing
A Processing Model
Step 1 - Initial Notification
Step 2 - Coordination, Assessment and Callout
Step 3 - Conduct Initial Observations
Step 4 - Deal with Deceased
Step 5 - Photograph the Scene
Step 6 - Document Overall Observations
Step 7 - Sketch the Scene
Step 8 - Conduct a First Recheck
Step 9 - Release the
Step 10 - Collect Evidence
Step 11 - Conduct a Second Recheck
Step 12 - Conduct a Third Recheck
Step 13 - Check Beyond the Scene
Step 14 - Conduct an On-Scene Debriefing
Step 15 - Release or Retain the Scene
Step 16 - Process and Package Evidence
Step 17 - Conduct a Formal Debriefing
ASSESSING THE SCENE
Debriefing the Responding Officer
Scene Scope and Boundary Assessment
Scene Integrity and Contamination Control
Managing Access
Defining Team Composition
Crime Scene Search Considerations
Search Patterns
Circle or Spiral Search
Strip and Line Search
Grid Search
Zone Search
Point-to-Point Search
Personal Protective Measures and Hazard Identification
Biohazard Risks
Structural Hazards in Fire and Explosion Scenes
Chemical Inhalation Hazards in Fire Scenes
Inhalation, Chemical, or Fire Hazards from Scene-Processing Techniques
Chemical and Bioterror Hazards
Considerations for Mass Scenes and Mass Casualty Situations
Pre-Event Considerations of Crime Scene Supervisors
Practical On-Scene Considerations for the Mass Scene
Managing the Media
CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY
Recurring Problems In Crime Scene Photographs
Identification Problems
Orientation Problems
Confusion Problems
Incomplete Documentation
Types and Purpose of Crime Scene Photographs
Overall Photographs
Evidence-Establishing Photographs
Evidence Close-Up Photographs
Basic Photography Issues
Video Photography
CRIME SCENE SKETCHING AND MAPPING
Essential Elements of a Sketch
Variations in View in Sketches
Methods of Crime Scene Mapping
Rectangular Coordinates
Triangulation
Baseline Coordinates
Polar Coordinates
Triangulation or Rectangular Coordinates on a Grid
Triangulation on a Baseline
Total-Station Mapping
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTIONS: CRIME SCENE NOTES AND REPORTS
Notes
Crime Scene Reports
Introduction Section
Characteristics of the Scene
Conditions of the Scene
Environmental Conditions
Factors Pertinent to Entry and Exit
Scene Documentation
Collection of Physical Evidence
Search for Latent Fingerprints
Addition Examinations
General Conditions
BASIC SKILLS FOR CRIME SCENE PROCESSING
Applying Light Technology
Shortwave Ultraviolet Light (180 to 254 nm)
Longwave Ultraviolet Light (365 to 415 nm)
Near-UV and Violet Light (415 to 485 nm)
Crime Scene Search and Blue Light (485 to 530 nm)
Orange-Red (570 to 700 nm)
Infrared (700 to 2000 nm)
Heat Energy and Thermal Imaging (12,000 nmm)
Choosing an Alternative Light Source
Recovering Fingerprints
Surface Characteristics
On-Scene Fingerprinting Techniques
Casting Impression Evidence
Rubber Casting Compounds
Electrostatic Lifting Devices
Plaster and Dental-Stone Casting Techniques
Gelatin and Other Adhesive Lifters
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES FOR SCENE PROCESSING
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Directionality and Impact Angle
Categorizing Bloodstain Patterns
Documenting Bloodstain Patterns
Presumptive Tests for Bloodstains
Luminol Enhancement of Latent Bloodstains
Fluorescence in Enhancement of Latent Bloodstains
Amido-Black Enhancement of Latent Bloodstains
Bullet Trajectory Analysis
Internal Ballistics
Terminal Ballistics
External Ballistics
Bullet Defect Verification
Defining the Bullet Impact Angle Based on Defect Shape
Direction of Fire
Use of Trajectory Rods and Lasers to Demonstrate Bullet Flight Paths
Trajectory Analysis Documentation
SPECIAL SCENE CONSIDERATIONS
Fire Scenes
Fire Patterns
Problems Associated with Fire Scenes
Fire Scene Methodology
Landfill Recoveries
Problems Associated with Landfill Recoveries
Landfill Recovery Methodology
Buried and Scattered Remains
Buried Bodies
Scattered Remains
Entomological Evidence Associated with Bodies
THE ROLE OF CRIME SCENE ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION
A History of the Concept of Crime Scene Reconstruction
Crime Scene Reconstruction Methodology
Scientific Method Used to Resolve a Specific Investigative Question
Event Analysis - Reconstructing Entire Events
APPENDIX A - CRIME SCENE EQUIPMENT
Basic Kits
Fingerprint Kit
Photography Kit
Casting Kit
Mapping and Sketching Kit
Personal Protective Gear
Scene-Integrity Equipment
Evidence Collection Tools
Evidence Collection Containers
Lighting Equipment
Additional Kits
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis/Enhancement Kit
Trajectory Analysis Kit
APPENDIX B - RISK MANAGEMENT