User:AudreyMMull/sandbox
A crime scene is any location that may be associated with a committed crime.[1] Crime scenes contain physical evidence that is pertinent to a criminal investigation.This evidence is collected by crime scene investigators (CSIs) and Law enforcement.The location of a crime scene can be the place where the crime took place, or can be any area that contains evidence from the crime itself. Scenes are not only limited to a location, but can be any person, place, or object associated with the criminal behaviors that occurred. After a crime scene has been discovered, it is important that measures are taken to secure and protect the scene from contamination. In order to maintain the integrity of the scene, law enforcement must take action to block off the surrounding area as well as keep track of who comes in and goes out. By taking these precautions, officers can ensure that evidence that is collected can be used in court. Evidence that has become contaminated, tampered with, or mistreated can pollute the scene and cause a case to be thrown out of court . It is important that everything that occurs during the analysis of a crime scene is documented. It is the job of the initial responding officer to make sure that the scene has an extremely coherent and summarized documentation.[2] The documentation should include the officers observations and actions while at the scene. The initial responder is in charge of documenting the appearance and condition of the scene upon arrival. The initial responder will also gather statements and comments from witnesses, victims, and possible suspects. Several other documents are also generated so that a crime scene's integrity is kept intact. These documents include a list of who has been in contact with evidence (chain of custody), as well as a log of what evidence has been collected.
Sequence of Events
The Initial Responding Officer receives a dispatch call and arrives at the location of the crime. This officer plays a crucial part in maintaining the integrity of the scene. Initial responders are in charge of securing the scene by setting up physical barriers to control the traffic in and around the area. The officer also documents his/her initial observations as well as the condition of the scene upon arrival.[1]
Once the crime scene investigation unit arrives on scene, being sure not to touch anything,an initial walkthrough is performed. This walkthrough helps the investigators get an understanding of what kind of crime has occurred. The unit notes on the presence of potential evidence and devises a plan for processing the scene.[3]
A second walkthrough is performed for the purpose of documentation. The unit will take pictures and draw sketches of the scene. Sometimes videos are taken to ensure every detail of the crime is documented.[3]
After a thorough documentation has been conducted, the CSI unit carefully collects all items that could be considered evidence. These items are tagged, logged, and packaged to ensure nothing is damaged or lost. All evidence from the scene is sent to the forensic laboratory for analysis.[3]
The forensic laboratory processes all pieces of evidence from the scene. Once the results are in they go the lead detective on the case.[3]
Evidence Collection
Evidence comes in many different forms. It can be anything from a biological sample like blood, or everyday item like receipts or bank statements. Other types of evidence include: fibers, firearm residue, photographs or videos, and fingerprints. Forensic scientists analyze this evidence so they can come up with an explanation for why a crime occurred.
Ensuring that evidence is collected in an accurate and timely manner helps officers to better understand what happened at the scene and aids in the investigation being completed successfully. Only the appropriate personnel with the proper knowledge and training should be collecting evidence. These individuals include, First Responders, Crime Scene Investigators, and other specialized personal[4]
Different types of evidence will sometimes need different methods of collection or specific containers. For instance, paper containers, such as bags,envelopes, or boxes, may be optimal for biological samples. Paper containers allow evidence that is not completely dry to continue drying.[5] This type of collection protects those samples from deteriorating. When the evidence is collected properly there is less of a chance that the items collected will be damaged or contaminated.
Chain of Custody
After evidence has been collected from the scene of the crime, it is placed in it's appropriate container and then is labeled or tagged. The tag identifies the specific scene the evidence came from and establishes the “chain of custody”. The chain of custody refers to the order in which evidence is handled by individuals who are involved in the case’s investigation. The chain of custody is pertinent to the investigation and guarantees the physical security of all evidence that is part of the case. The following types of identifiers are needed to establish the chain:.[4]
- Initials or names of the person collecting the evidence, and all the subsequent people who have and will come in contact with the evidence.
-The date of collection and transfer
-The name of the agency, case number, and type of crime
-Voucher or property clerk number
-The name of the victim or the suspect
-Where the item is being stored
-A summary of what the item is
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References
- ^ a b U.S. Department of Justice (2013). Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement.
- ^ "Evidence Packaging: A How-to Guide" (PDF).
- ^ a b c d Layton, Julia. "How Crime Scene Investigation Works". How Stuff Works, Science.
- ^ a b Fisher, Barry A. J.; Fisher, David R. (2012). Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
- ^ "Evidence Packaging: A How-to Guide" (PDF).