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