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CHAPTER 5 (p.79)

CHAPTER 5 (p.79). THE CRIME SCENE FOCUS. INTRODUCTION. CRIME SCENE- A location at which a suspected criminal offense has occurred Processing the crime scene is one of the most important parts of criminal investigation. Crime scenes contain physical evidence.

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CHAPTER 5 (p.79)

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  1. CHAPTER 5 (p.79) THE CRIME SCENE FOCUS

  2. INTRODUCTION • CRIME SCENE- A location at which a suspected criminal offense has occurred • Processing the crime scene is one of the most important parts of criminal investigation. • Crime scenes contain physical evidence. • Locard’s Transfer of Evidence theory- Entry brings evidence exit takes evidence.

  3. CRIME SCENE • Early investigators relied upon interrogations. • Confessions are less important today. • Confessions must be corroborated by physical evidence. • Even eyewitness testimony is very inaccurate.

  4. CRIME SCENE (Cont.) • Accurate observation and recording is essential. • Seemingly unimportant evidence may have great evidence in the investigation and trial.

  5. EVIDENCE • All evidence should be collected and processes with equal competency and thoroughness. • Protect the crime scene- contamination-Remember Locard’s theory. • Searching and recording- thoroughly • Collection- Get all evidence- transport right • Transportation- CHAIN OF CUSTODY

  6. CHAIN OF CUSTODY • Appoint one officer as evidence custodian. • Everyone search, but ONLY one collects. • You must document EVERY time evidence changes hands • Breaks in the “Chain of Custody” will cause challenges in Motions to Suppress.

  7. RECONSTRUCTION • Investigator must reconstruct what happened at the crime scene. • Crime scene types • Indoor • Outdoor • World Trade Center Bombing • 1400 vehicles processed

  8. CRIME SCENE • May be both indoor and outdoor • Abduction of victim from home. • Victim taken to wooded area • Crime scenes may be multiple with multiple offenses.

  9. RESPONSE TIME • RESPONSE TIME- important that the first officer get to the scene as rapidly as possible. • PROTECT THE CRIME SCENE • Crime scene may become contaminated. • Remember Locard’s principle. Theory of Transfer) • Police officers are the worst offenders.

  10. RECORDING THE SCENE • Crime scene photos • Coordinated photo series • Objectively record the scene • Photographic distortion

  11. DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY • Somewhat suspect because it can be altered- Defense atty. May attack its use. • Take hundreds of photos and then transfer to a file for use of investigators • Very good quality pictures • Start close-up then move out. • Measurement marker • Record identifications on photos

  12. IDENTIFICATION DATA • 1. Subject • 2. Location • 3. Photographer • 4. Case number • 5. Time of dat- to the minute • 6. Date of photograph • 7. Photo series number • 8. Weather, equipment, shutter speed

  13. CRIME SCENE SKETCH • See page 85- 86 in text. • Rectangular Coordinate Method- straight line. • Triangulation- measure from two fixed points. • Projection- exploded sketch

  14. CRIME SCENE SKETCH • Must be accurate- re-measure • Use pencil for rough sketch • Final drawing in permanent ink • Electronic systems are available

  15. SKETCH REQUIREMENTS • 1. Investigator name and identification • 2. Location- City, State, Street address, Room location • 3. Date and time of rough sketch • 4. Evidence listing- Location by number • 5. Case number • 6. Directional arrow (compass heading) • 7. Note “Not to Scale” or show scale

  16. SEARCHING THE CRIME SCENE • Primary reason- locate evidence • Contamination • Train officers • Record name of everyone on scene- time of entry, reason for being there, time left • Public expectations- crime shows distort

  17. SEARCH METHODS • See page 91 in text. • STRIP SEARCH METHOD • SPIRAL SEARCH METHOD • SECTOR SEARCH METHOD • GRID SEARCH METHOD

  18. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE • Record the location and photograph before collection- Record the: • 1. Time and date • 2.Location of discovery • 3. Investigator and identification info • 4. Item description • 5. Identifying marks on items • 6. Names of witnesses to finding evidence

  19. EVIDENCE RECOVERY • 1. Suspect identification • 2. Establish offender’s MO • 3. Proving or disproving an alibi • 4. Connecting or eliminating suspects • 5. Identify stolen items or contraband • 6. Victim identification • 7. Provision of investigative leads • 8. Proving a statutory element of the crime

  20. CHAIN OF CUSTODY (Cont.) • EVERY TIME an item of evidence is moved the transaction must be recorded on the evidence sheet. • Record on individual package when found • Record all items on an evidence sheet • Lists items, dates, locations, and responsible persons • Initiate when found, update when placed in evidence room, each time it is moved

  21. EVIDENCE COLLECTION • TWO STAGE SEARCH- Large and small items- care not to contaminate trace evidence- handle as little as possible • Obliterating fingerprints • Leaving officers’ own fingerprints • Fibers, hairs, liquids, bodily fluids • Use tweezers, forceps • May use special vacuum cleaner

  22. CRIME SCENE RESOURCES • GBI ASSISTANCE IS GREAT • Trained in crime scene processing • Competent in forensic evidence • Has tools and test equipment • Can focus only on your crime scene • Stay until processing is complete • Testify in court- Chain of Custody

  23. MARKING EVIDENCE • The types of mark of an item depends on: • 1. Size of the object • 2. Physical nature (solid or liquid) • 3. Value of the object • 4. Number of like objects

  24. PACKAGING EVIDENCE • 1. Package items separately. • 2. Use clean packaging. • 3. Use evidence tape to seal packages • 4. Don’t fold cloth items unnecessarily • 5. Don’t remove from container if possible • 6. Use crime lab request for lab work • 7. Send evidence in registered mail RRR

  25. PACKAGING (Cont.) • Organic items- (marijuana)- package in paper evidence bags- putrefaction- lose THC • Other un-refrigerated items- (dry items) package in plastic evidence bags • Refrigerated items- (blood) package in vials- vials in plastic evidence bags

  26. THC • TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL • The illegal substance in marijuana

  27. EVIDENCE STAGING • STAGING- Attempt to redirect the investigation away from the logical truth • Protect victim or family • Conceal another crime- arson, fake burglary, sex crime stigma

  28. EQUIVOCAL SCENES • EQUIVOCAL SCENES- Open to interpretation • Knife in chest may indicate suicide, accident, or homicide • Knife in chest is physical evidence- circumstantial because it does not prove who did it, only who was there when the victim was stabbed

  29. PERSONATION • PROFILING!! • Offenders reflect their own personality traits in crimes they commit. • Remove only certain items • Position the body • Punish corpse after death • Suspect imparts identifying meaning • SIGNATURE ACTIONS

  30. CRIME SCENE EQUIPMENT • See p.98 for list of items

  31. SPECIALIZED CSI 1. All Investigators are trained as CSI but depending upon their agency training is varied. 2. Half PD in country have <10 employees 3. CSI Crime shows are unrealistic- cause overoptimistic expectations.

  32. EFFECT ON PUBLIC/ JURIES • CSI Effect causes public to expect DNA, fingerprints, firearms testing, hairs, fibers and other TV activity. • Absence of CSI info may mean acquittal • Most Criminalists work in the laboratory, not on crime scenes. • DON’T WATCH CRIME SHOWS- THEY ARE BAD FOR YOU!!!

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