Keeping Crime Scene Evidence Safe and Intact
When first visiting the scene of a crime, a specific protocol is called for in order to process all evidence without tampering or destroying it. From the beginning, anyone working a crime scene may not be able to say if a specific type of evidence may be responsible for crime scene solving. Therefore, all evidence should be used as a whole to help possibly solve the crime.
Searching For Evidence – Stage One
In the beginning of gathering evidence, this is the most crucial point of working up the crime scene. Individuals working the crime scene will work to locate and re-create the entire scene of the crime. Crime scenes usually offer the investigators a certain mode of search the investigators will use in working the area. If the crime scene is in a closed in area such as a residence, investigators will use the “zone method for clue and evidence searching, any open area will be a “grid” type search method.
Searching For Evidence – Stage Two
This second step in searching for evidence will be more in depth than in stage one. After specific and carefully processing of the crime scene has been done, you will now be able to move and lift objects or evidence if it is only a mild movement and does not alter the scene in a big obtrusive manner. This step will also allow you to search belongings such as, furnishings and opening drawers and doors as well.
Searching For Evidence – Stage Three
The third stage of searching for evidence, allows you the most in depth searching of evidence. This step will allow investigators to take out the contents of any closed drawers or doors and such. Use the stage two method here as well and collect anything and mark it, if you deem it possible evidence to help your case. This third stage of evidence gathering will allow you to obtain possible prints either latent or patent in nature. Your use of substance and chemicals that can produce a reaction to verify or show bodily fluids and blood can be used also. This evidence will be submitted to laboratory test and studies for further processing.
Specific, precise notes and documentation of all items or evidence gathered, will be needed for reference in the case it may become contaminated or destroyed. You will find that there are also other methods that you will use for combing and processing of the crime scene and its offerings.
Further Investigation Advice and Tips
If you are an investigator, witness, or just a curious individual at the scene of the crime, you may be able to offer a shed of light on who may committed the crime or offer evidence about what may have happened. Persons that may have been a witness or curious individual, will usually be the persons that meets the crime scene first hand. Let us take a look at how you may add or offer evidence that may be crucial for investigators to solve the crime:
* Obey any crime scene lines and cross offs of the crime scene itself. This allows perfect preservation of any evidence that may be needed for the case.
* If you find yourself to one of the initial visitors to a crime scene, help investigators by keeping anyone away from the area or any potential evidence until the investigators arrive.
* If you have seen first hand any suspicious person or potential crime scene perpetrator, make a note and write it down if possible. If you get a look at a license plate, definitely tell investigators.
