Crime Scene Processing and Gathering of Evidence
Approaching the scene of a crime, investigators have to apply techniques that correlate with the evidence found. No matter the different evidence found, the crime scene investigator has to apply certain basic skills for the processing of it. In regards to what is found, he or she will use the evidence to re-create the crime scene at best.
Processing Evidence at The Crime Scene
When reach the crime scene, an investigator treats it with careful, cautious and thorough behavior. This signals the start of gathering all evidence. The crime scene may see officers approach before an investigator has time to reach the area and may have already started gathering evidence. An investigator need to stress to everyone how important it is not to contaminate the scene. Even the slightest disturbance of the scene may alter the process.
When a crime scene unfolds with a victim or deceased individual, then an investigator will want to assess the body for any signs of injury, as this can help aid in finding a motive for the crime. Careful processing of the area in proximity to the body, could result in possible collection of clues also. An individual in the crime scene investigation field, knows to look at a crime scene as having a three dimensional view. Detailing in notation, can only help you later in going over mentally what may have happened. Every crime scene will demand a replicated drawing of the scene.
Taking Photographs of the Crime Scene
Crime scene photographs are also taken by the investigator to serve in correlation to eyewitness accounts of the crime. Photographs taken of a crime scene, serves to be your strongest piece of evidence from a crime scene. Your photographs should be of key interest points, but are not limited to these only:
* The crime scene as a whole – Photographs should show where the crime was committed. A street sign or area of the city.
* Photographs should showcase a 360 degree view – Photographs should be taken around a victim or body starting at 12:00 and finishing at 12:00. You should take photographs in this manner twice and at various angles.
* Surroundings of crime area – Apart from the photographs taken of the victim, photographs should be took of the general area.
Finishing with what you think is a sufficient collection of photos, keep them safe in a reference file when you need them.
Repeat Processing of the Crime Scene
As for your colleagues, ask them to go over the crime scene again with you. This gets everyone working together and you may find that you come across more clues and evidence than on the first examination. Remember, that any crime scene, no matter how big or small the evidence may be, it all counts.
Avoid becoming to hands on and touchy with any evidence or the body. You could easily discredit or affect lab results from fully finding evidence that may be vital to your case. Depending on how big the crime scene area is, will affect how you handle evidence on a case by case situation.
Visable or Latent Fingerprints
There are different terminologies that can be used when referring to fingerprints. Here is some samples and key terminology:
* Non-visable prints – This kind of fingerprint is referred to as latent prints, which mean not visable to the naked eye. You can also use prints found such as, bare foot prints and prints from the palm of a hand, to help possibly identify the perpetrator.
* Naked eye visibility of prints – These prints are called patent prints and can be identified by the naked eye. These prints are often visable due to blood, bodily fluids or other substances being on the fingers, hand or feet, when the print is first made.
* Lifted prints using casts, molds or plastics – Prints such as these, are lifted and brought to visability through a molding or casting technique. These prints are often lifted using, moldable substances such as pliable soaps, or adhesives. Prints may even be lifted off a victim’s body, if the perpetrator left an impression.
Speaking with Eyewitnesses – Your Greatest Power Tool
Eyewitness accounts from individuals are very important and can be your greatest power tool in your investigation. Preservation of the scene itself can be difficult with a growing number of onlookers and such at the scene. When you have completed your entire take on the evidence and the crime scene, you can then use the accounts of witnesses to help piece together the situation at hand. Never take a witness and their account of what happened at face value, as it has to be verified first before it can be used sufficiently.
