Chapter 3: THE CRIME SCENE

Chapter 3:THE CRIME SCENE “Oh, how simple it would all have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and wallowed all over it.” —A. Conan Doyle, in TheBoscombe Valley Mystery, 1892

CRIME SCENE Students will learn: • The steps to take when processing a crime scene. • The type of evidence that determines what packaging should be used. • Why the chain of custody must be preserved. Students will be able to: • Isolate, record, and search for evidence at a mock crime scene. • Collect and package evidence at a mock crime scene using to proper forensic procedures. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

The Crime Scene • Crime Scene: Any place where evidence is collected to help explain events. Primary/Secondary • How are crime scenes like puzzles? • Evidence is used to reconstruct the sequence of events, modus operandi (MO), and the motive for the crime. • What happens when mistakes are made in the collection of evidence? Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

CORPUS DELICTI“Body of the Crime” • "the fact of a crime having been actually committed." • You must prove • that a crime occurred • that the person charged with the crime was responsible for the crime • Top Reasons for Committing a Crime • Money • Revenge • Emotion—love, hate, anger Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

CORPUS DELICTI“Body of the Crime” • Source of Evidence • Body • Primary and/or Secondary Crime Scene • Suspect(s) Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

CRIME SCENE TEAM • A group of professional investigators, each trained in a variety of special disciplines. • Team Members • First Police Officer on the scene/ jobs? • Medics (if necessary) • Investigator(s) • Medical Examiner (if necessary) • Photographer and/or Field Evidence Technician • Lab Experts Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION • Based on the scientific method and the Locard Exchange Principle, logic and forensic techniques • Involves: • Recognition—scene survey, documentation, collection • Identification—comparison testing • Individualization—evaluation and interpretation • Reconstruction—reporting and presenting Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Put these steps in order:PROCESSING ACRIME SCENE • Collect and package evidence, maintaining the chain of custody • Isolate and secure the scene • Submit evidence to the crime lab • Document the scene • Search for evidence Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

PROCESSING ACRIME SCENE • Isolate and secure the scene • Document the scene • Search for evidence • Collect and package evidence, maintaining the chain of custody • Submit evidence to the crime lab Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

PROCESSING ACRIME SCENE • What is meant by maintaining the CHAIN OF CUSTODY? • Why is this important? • What special considerations need to be used when collecting evidence? Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Do I need a search warrant? • Fourth Amendment: protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. (property searches for suspects) • Probable cause • Steps: 1. prepare an affidavit; location, items to be searched for, probable cause 2. prepare a warrant 3. Get warrant signed Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

FIRST OFFICERON THE SCENE • A Assess the crime scene and assist those hurt • D Detain the witness • A Arrest the perpetrator • P Protect the crime scene • T Take notes Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

CRIME SCENE SURVEY Walk-through—performed by the crime scene investigator, the first officer and sometimes the lead detective Purpose: • Mentally prepare a reconstruction theory • Note any transient or conditional evidence that could change over time. • Note weather conditions • Note points of entry or exit, as well as paths of travel within the crime scene • Record initial observations of who, what, where, when, and how • Identify special needs within the crime scene for personnel, precautions or equipment and notify superior officers or other agencies Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Walk through • 1. Teams of 3 or 4 • 2. Sketch---take notes----make measurements---create a theory • 3. Answer questions with your group back in room Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

DOCUMENTATION • Notes—date and time, description of the location, weather and environmental conditions, description of the crime, location of the evidence relative to other key points, the names of all people involved, modifications that have occurred and other relevant information • Photography—photos of scene and surroundings, mid-range to close-up photos with various angles of each piece of evidence, photos as viewed by any witnesses. • Sketches—inclusion of date, time, scale, reference points, distance measurements, names of investigators, victims, suspects, and a legend (key) • Videography—allows narration (non-subjective) to be included Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Detailed Sketches Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

SEARCH METHODS • Line or strip method—best in large, outdoor scenes • Grid method—basically a double-line search; effective, but time-consuming • Zone method—most effective in houses or buildings; teams are assigned small zones for searching • Wheel or ray method—best on small, circular crime scenes • Spiral method—may move inward or outward; best used where there are no physical barriers Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

CRIME SCENE SKETCH Date: August 14, 2005 Criminalist: Ann Wilson Time: 11:35 am Location: 4358 Rockledge Dr, St. Louis, Mo. N Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

COLLECTING AND PACKAGING EVIDENCE • One individual should be designated as the evidence collector to ensure that the evidence is collected, packaged, marked, sealed, and preserved in a consistent manner • Each item must be placed in a separate container, sealed, and labeled • Most fragile is collected and packaged first • Different types of evidence require specific or special collection and packaging techniques • The body is the property of the coroner or medical examiner. The collection of evidence on the body is done by that department Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

PACKAGING Most items should be packaged in a primary container and then placed inside a secondary one. These are then placed inside other containers such as paper bags, plastic bags, canisters, packets and envelopes depending on the type and size of the evidence. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

CHAIN OF CUSTODY There must be a written record of all people who have had possession of an item of evidence. • The evidence container must be marked for identification • The collector’s initials should be placed on the seal • If evidence is turned over to another person, the transfer must be recorded. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Chain of Custody • 1. Correctly bag and label a piece of evidence • 2. Turn in the evidence to the Lab Storage Supervisor • 3. Check out (from the lab) another bag of evidence to examine • 4. Take out and examine the evidence, and, then correctly put it back into the bag and re-seal and sign it back in. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

CRIME SCENE RECONSTRUCTION Stages • Data collection • Hypothesis formation • Examination, testing and analysis • Determination of the significance of the evidence • Theory formulation Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Staged Crime Scene • Staging: attempt to make the scene look like something else happened. • May make a murder look like an accident or suicide. • Stealing items to conceal motive, arson to conceal murder, forgery of notes, breaking windows to suggest forced entry. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

INVESTIGATORS “The wise forensic investigator will always remember that he must bring all of his life experiences and logic to find the truth. This means common sense, informed intuition, and the courage to see things as they are. Then he must speak honestly about what it adds up to.” —Dr. Henry Lee Chief Emeritus for Scientific Services and the former Commissioner of Public Safety for the state of Connecticut Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

THE MEDICAL EXAMINER AND THE CORONER • A medical examiner is a medical doctor, usually a pathologist and is appointed by the governing body of the area. There are 400 forensic pathologists throughout the U.S. • A coroner is an elected official who usually has no special medical training. In four states, the coroner is a medical doctor. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

MEDICAL EXAMINER’S RESPONSIBILITIES • Identify the deceased • Establish the time and date of death • Determine a medical cause of death—the injury or disease that resulted in the person dying • Determine the mechanism of death—the physiological reason that the person died Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

MEDICAL EXAMINER’S RESPONSIBILITIES • Classify the manner of death • Natural • Accidental • Suicide • Homicide • Undetermined • Notify the next of kin Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

THE CORPSE “The way I see it, being dead is not terribly far off from being on a cruise ship. Most of your time is spent lying on your back. The brain has shut down. The flesh begins to soften. Nothing much new happens, and nothing is expected of you.” —Mary Roach. Stiff. W. W. Norton & Company. 2003 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Dr. Michael M. Baden is a renowned pathologist and was the Chief Medical Examiner in NY City and for Suffolk County. Dr. Baden was on the panel that investigated the assassinations of president John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He has been involved as an expert in forensic pathology in many cases of international interest including: • The remains of Tsar Nicholas of Russia and his family • The Claus Von Bulow murder trial • Expert witness for the defense in the O.J. Simpson trial • Re-autopsy of Medgar Evers, Civil Rights leader • Re-examination of the Lindberg Kidnapping and murder • Autopsies of the victims of TWA Flight 800 Dr. Baden is the host of HBO’s Autopsy series and is featured on many of the crime talk shows. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

MORE INFORMATION For additional information on crime scene investigation, check out Court TV’s Crime Library: www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/crimescene/5.html On Michael Baden and the autopsy: www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/autopsy/1.html Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Crime Scene sketch • Forensics teams of 3 • You will need to make a detailed sketch/drawing of a mock crime scene. • Include: date, time, scale, reference points, distance measurements, names of investigators and a legend (key) • Put notes concerning your sketch in a report form to turn in to the lead criminal investigator, include any hypothesis or theory Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Crime-Scene Search • A crime-scene search is planned, coordinated, and executed by law enforcement officials to locate physical evidence.Basic Premises • The best search options are usually the most difficult and time-consuming. • Physical evidence cannot be over documented. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing There are two search approaches. • A cautious search of visible areas, avoiding evidence loss or contamination. • A vigorous search of concealed areas. • Preparation • Obtain a search warrant, if necessary. • Discuss the search with involved personnel before arriving at the scene, if possible. • Establish a command headquarters for communication and decision making in major or complicated crime-scene searches. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Ensure that personnel are aware of the types of evidence usually encountered and the proper handling of the evidence. • Make preliminary personnel assignments before arriving at the scene, if possible. • Ensure that assignments are in keeping with the attitude, aptitude, training, and experience of search personnel. Personnel may be assigned two or more responsibilities: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Person In Charge • Ensure scene security. • Prepare administrative log. • Conduct preliminary survey (initial walk-through). • Prepare narrative description. • Resolve problems. • Make final decisions. Photographer Photograph and log evidence and scene. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Sketch Preparer • Sketch and log scene. Evidence Recorder • Evidence custodian and log evidence. • Establish communication among the medical examiner, laboratory personnel, and prosecutive attorneys so that questions arising during the crime-scene search can be resolved. • Coordinate agreements with all agencies in multijurisdictional crime-scene searches. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Accumulate evidence collection and packaging materials and equipment.Prepare the paperwork to document the search. • Provide protective clothing, communication, lighting, shelter, transportation, equipment, food, water, medical assistance, and security for search personnel. • In prolonged searches, use shifts of two or more teams. Transfer paperwork and responsibility in a preplanned manner from one team to the next. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Approach • Be alert for evidence. • Take extensive notes. • Consider the safety of all personnel. • Secure and Protect • Take control of the scene immediately. • Determine the extent to which the scene has been protected. Obtain information from personnel who have knowledge of the original condition. • Designate one person in charge for final decision making and problem resolution. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Continue to take extensive notes. • Keep out unauthorized personnel. • Record who enters and leaves. Preliminary Survey • The preliminary survey is an organizational stage to plan for the search. • Cautiously walk through the scene. • Maintain administrative and emotional control. • Select a narrative technique (written, audio, or video). • Take preliminary photographs. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Delineate the extent of the search area. Usually expand the initial perimeter. • Organize methods and procedures. • Recognize special problem areas. • Identify and protect transient physical evidence. • Determine personnel and equipment needs. Make specific assignments. • Develop a general theory of the crime. • Take extensive notes to document the scene, physical and environmental conditions, and personnel movements. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing Evaluate Physical Evidence Possibilities • This evaluation begins upon arriving at the scene and becomes detailed in the preliminary survey stage. • Ensure that the collection and packaging materials and equipment are sufficient. • Focus first on evidence that could be lost. Leave the least transient evidence last. • Ensure all personnel consider the variety of possible evidence, not only evidence within their specialties. • Search the easily accessible areas and progress to out-of-view locations. Look for hidden items. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Evaluate whether evidence appears to have been moved inadvertently. • Evaluate whether the scene appears contrived. Narrative: • The narrative is a running description of the crime scene. • Use a systematic approach in the narrative. • Nothing is insignificant to record if it catches one's attention. • Under most circumstances, do not collect evidence during the narrative. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Use photographs and sketches to supplement, not substitute for, the narrative. • The narrative should include the following: • Case identifier. • Date, time, and location. • Weather and lighting conditions. • Identity and assignments of personnel. • Condition and position of evidence. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Photography • Photograph the crime scene as soon as possible. • 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. • Photograph the most fragile areas of the crime scene first. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Photograph all stages of the crime-scene investigation, including discoveries. • Photograph the condition of evidence before recovery. • Photograph the evidence in detail and include a scale, the photographer's name, and the date. • Take all photographs intended for examination purposes with a scale. When a scale is used, first take a photograph without the scale. • Photograph the interior crime scene in an overlapping series using a normal lens, if possible. Overall photographs may be taken using a wide-angle lens. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • 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, when possible. • Photograph entrances and exits from the inside and the outside. • Photograph important evidence twice. • A medium-distance photograph that shows the evidence and its position to other evidence. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing 2) A close-up photograph that includes a scale and fills the frame. • Prior to entering the scene, acquire, if possible, prior photographs, blueprints, or maps of the scene. • Sketch • The sketch establishes a permanent record of items, conditions, and distance and size relationships. • Sketches supplement photographs. • Sketch-number designations should coordinate with the evidence log number designations. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Sketches are normally not drawn to scale. However, the sketch should have measurements and details for a drawn-to-scale diagram, if necessary. • The sketch should include the following: • Case identifier. • Date, time, and location. • Weather and lighting conditions. • Identity and assignments of personnel. • Dimensions of rooms, furniture, doors, and windows. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Summary of Crime scene processing • Distances between objects, persons, bodies, entrances, and exits. • Measurements showing the location of evidence. Each object should be located by two measurements from nonmovable items (e.g., doors or walls). • Key, legend, compass orientation, scale, scale disclaimer, or a combination of these features. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Chapter 3: THE CRIME SCENE