Forensics Crime Scene Evaluation

team leader

assume control, conduct initial walk through, interview witnesses/suspects, coordinate arrests, ensure sufficient supplies/equipment are available, control access of scene, reevaluate efficiency of search during operation, designate post location and ensure exchange of info, determine search patterns, release scene after final survey

Preliminary Crime Scene walk through

conducted prior to commencing search for evidence, physical survey of scene to evaluate the scene, evaluate potential evidence, determine if the crime scene will expand/narrow, appropriate search pattern to use, appropriate equipment needed

Sketch Preparer

document the scene and draw the crime scene: use a point of reference, set forth major items of evidence, designate and label areas to be searched, obtain appropriate assistance for taking measurements, ensure necessary info such as scale disclaimer

Evidence Recorder/Custodian

evidence collector, use gloves and protective equipment to keep evidence from contamination, describe evidence and location on bag/envelope, sign and date evidence bags, maintain evidence log, use paper bags for items that can be harmed in a container

Hot search

high risk response, weapons drawn, perpetrator is still at crime scene, thorough search of crime scene, done immediately after crime is discovered

Elevation Zone Search

indoor crime scene, evidence could be on walls or ceiling, one elevation zone should be checked at a time

wheel method

investigators begin at the center of the crime scene and move outward

Grid Search

most thorough search technique, similar to strip search but done in opposite directions

Photographer and Photographic Log Recorder

photograph entire area before entered, victims, crowd, vehicles, entire scene with overall, medium and close up coverage, major evidence items before they are moved with sketch preparer, evidence recorder, evidence recovery personnel, all latent fingerprints, prepare photographic log and sketch

Searching Crime Scene

recover evidence, develop a feel for the crime scene and under stand victim's actions

Release

release crime scene after final survey, include time, date, to whom released and by whom, ensure evidence is collected legally and marked for identification, consider the need for specialists, reentry may require a warrant , only be released when all personnel are satisfied, person in charge is the only person to release the scene

Final Survey

review of all aspects of the search, discuss search with all personnel, ensure documentation is correct and complete, ensure all evidence is secured and equipment is retrieved, ensure hiding places and difficult access areas have not been overlooked

Zone method

search area is divided into sectors which are numbered and searched by investigators

Strip Search

searching a large area for large object, explorers stand in one long line and walk in same directions

Baseline sketch

sketch a large area with no boundaries and provides a point of reference

Smooth Sketch

sketch with detailed legend and dotted line to depict the path the perpetrator took through the crime scene

Cold search

suspect is not at crime scene, done hours/days after crime was committed, covers surrounding neighborhood

Overlapping Zone Search

team leader observe and supervise search, overlapping search items are unlikely to be missed

Cross Projection sketch

type of sketch shows a view from above with the walls folded down

Street Sketch

used to depict the street as a crime scene or showing several locations and movements of a perpetrator

Spiral Search

used when object is suspected to be a specific distance from another, stake in center with string and avoid overlapping already searched areas