FBI Crime Scene Investigation protocols

1. FBI Crime Scene Investigation protocols Forensic Science CRIME SCENEINVESTIGATIONPROTOCOLS

2. ForensicScience  The Narrative  The Basics • The Overview  The Preparation  The Sketches  Approach the Scene  The Photography  Secure the Scene  The Final Survey  Preliminary Survey  The Release  The Search  Physical Evidence

3. ForensicScience  The best evidence gathering methods are typically the most difficult and time-consuming. • The Basics  Physical evidence cannot be overdocumented.  There is only one chance to search the scene properly.

4. ForensicScience  Obtain a search warrant, if necessary. • The Preparation  Discuss the search with involved personnel before arrival at the scene.  Make preliminary personnel assignments before arrival at the scene.  Establish a command headquarters for communication & decision making in complicated crime scene searches.

5. ForensicScience  Ensure that personnel are aware of the types of evidence usually encountered and the proper handling of the evidence. • The Preparation  Establish communication between coroner or medical examiner (cause of death?), laboratory personnel, and prosecutive attorneys so that questions during the crime scene search can be resolved.  Accumulate evidence collection and packaging materials and equipment.

6. ForensicScience  Coordinate agreements with all agencies in multijurisdictional crime scene searches…contact Tribal Police. • The Preparation  Prepare the paperwork to document the search.  Equipment Vehicle: Protective clothing, communication, lighting, shelter, food & water, note paper, serological & trace evidence supplies, camera, tripod, extra film, etc., collection guides. Equipment Vehicle

7. ForensicScience  In prolonged searches, use shifts of two or more teams. Transfer paperwork and responsibility in a preplanned manner from one team to the next. • The Preparation  Ensure that assignments are in keeping with the attitude, aptitude, training, and experience of personnel. Personnel may be assigned two or more responsibilities.

8. ForensicScience  Person In Charge Is Responsible For:- All security & medical assistance.- Maintaining the administrative log.- Guiding the preliminary survey.- Making the main narrative description.- Final decision making. • The Preparation

9. ForensicScience  Sketch Preparer Is Responsible For: - the site sketches and log. • The Preparation  Evidence Recorder Is Responsible For: - the evidence custodian and log.  Photographer Is Responsible For: - All photography and photo log.

10.  Be alert for evidence. • Approaching The Crime Scene  Take extensive notes.  Consider the safety of all personnel.  Is the CS secure?

11. ForensicScience  Take control of the scene immediately. • Secure and Protect  Determine the extent to which the scene has been protected. Obtain information from personnel who have knowledge of the original condition.  Designate one person to be in charge of final decision making and problem resolution.

12. ForensicScience  Continue to take extensive notes. • Secure and Protect  Keep out unauthorized personnel.  Record who enters and leaves.

13. ForensicScience The survey is an organizational stage to plan for the search. • The Preliminary Survey  Cautiously walk through the scene.  Maintain administrative and emotional control.  Select a narrative technique such as written, audio, or video. 1st Walk Through  Take preliminary photographs. Photo Requests

14. ForensicScience  Delineate the extent of the search area. Usually expand the initial perimeter. • The Preliminary Survey  Organize methods and procedures.  Recognize special problem areas.  Identify and protect transient physical evidence.

15. ForensicScience  Determine personnel and equipment needs. Make specific assignments. • The Preliminary Survey  Develop a general theory of the crime.  Take extensive notes to document the scene, physical and environmental conditions, and personnel movements.

16. ForensicScience • The Search • There are two search approaches:  Conduct a cautious search of visible areas, avoiding evidence loss or contamination.  After the cautious search, conduct a vigorous search of concealed areas.

17. The Search The Search ForensicScience  Use a search pattern such as a grid, strip, line (lane), or spiral.  Search from the general to the specific for evidence.  Be alert for all evidence.  Search entrances and exits.

18. The Search The Search ForensicScience  Photograph all items before collection and notate the photographic log.  Mark evidence locations on the sketch.  Complete the evidence log with notations for each item of evidence. If feasible, have one person serve as evidence custodian.

19. The Search The Search ForensicScience  Wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints.  Do not excessively handle the evidence after recovery.  Two persons should observe evidence in place, during recovery, and being marked for identification. If feasible, mark directly on the evidence.  Seal all evidence packages at the crime scene.

20. The Search The Search ForensicScience  Obtain known standards such as fiber samples from a known carpet.  Make a complete evaluation of the crime scene.  Constantly check paperwork, packaging, and other information for errors.

21. The Search The Search ForensicScience  Strip,Lane orLineSearch Carpet Grid Search

22. The Search The Search ForensicScience  Grid Search Large Area Search

23. The Search The Search ForensicScience  Quadrant or Zone Search Sub-surface Search

24. ForensicScience • The Search  SpiralSearch Suspect Search

25. ForensicScience  Search the easily accessible areas and progress to out-of-view locations. Look for hidden items. • Physical Evidence  Evaluate whether evidence appears to have been moved inadvertently.  Evaluate whether the scene appears contrived.

26. ForensicScience The narrative should include: • The Narrative Oral Notes  Case identifier.  Date, time, and location.  Weather and lighting conditions.  Identity and assignments of personnel.  Condition and position of evidence.

27. ForensicScience The Sketch The Sketch Sketch & Photo 1 Baseline Coordinate Sketch 2 Triangulation Sketch 3 Cross Projection Sketch

28. ForensicScience The Sketch The Sketch

29. The Sketch ForensicScience The Sketch BaselineCoordinateSketch - Enlarged

30. The Sketch ForensicScience The Sketch

31. The Sketch ForensicScience The Sketch CrossProjectionSketch CAD Sketch Virtual Sketch

32. ForensicScience • The Photography

33. ForensicScience  Photograph the crime scene ASAP. • The Photography  Prepare a photographic log that records all photographs and a description and location of evidence.  Establish a progression of overall, medium, and close-up views of the crime scene.  Photograph from eye level to represent the normal view.

34. ForensicScience  Photograph the most fragile areas of the crime scene first. • The Photography  Photograph all stages of the crime scene investigation, including discoveries.  Photograph the condition of all evidence before it is recovered.

35. ForensicScience  Photograph the evidence in detail and include a scale, the photographer's initials, and the date. • The Photography  When a scale is used, first take a photograph without the scale.  Photograph the interior crime scene in an overall and overlapping (panorama) series using a digital camera &/or wide-angle lens. Video cams will also work.

36. ForensicScience • The Photography  Photograph the exterior crime scene, establishing the location of the scene by a series of overall photographs including a landmark. Photographs should have 360 degrees of coverage. Consider using aerial photography.  Photograph entrances and exits.

37. ForensicScience  Photograph important evidence twice; • The Photography 1 - A close-up photo that includes a scale and fills the frame. 2 - A medium-distance photo that shows the evidence and its position to other evidence.  Acquire prior photographs, blueprints, or maps of the scene.

38. ForensicScience  A review of all aspects of the search: • The Final Survey Discuss the search with all personnel. Ensure all documentation is correct and complete. Photograph the scene showing the final condition.

39. ForensicScience  A review of all aspects of the search: • The Final Survey Ensure all evidence is secured. Ensure all equipment is retrieved. Ensure hiding places or difficult access areas have not been overlooked.

40. ForensicScience Documentation should include the time and date of release, to whom released, and by whom released. Ensure that the evidence is collected according to legal requirements, documented, and marked for identification. Consider the need for specialists such as a blood-pattern analyst or a medical examiner to observe the scene before it is released. • The Release

41. ForensicScience Once the scene has been released, reentry may require a warrant. The scene should be released only when all personnel are satisfied that the scene was searched correctly and completely. Only the person in charge should release the scene. • The Release NPR: National Crime Scene Training Program (4 min)

42. The End Forensic Science THEEND