CRIME SCENE: Any physical location in which a crime has occurred or is suspected of having occurred.

PRIMARY CRIME SCENE: The original location of a crime or accident.

SECONDARY CRIME SCENE: An alternate location where additional evidence may be found.

Scene Recognition/Assessment

• Interview 1st responder to gather preliminary info

• Overview the scene

• Develop Plan (search pattern, who is responsible for what, what equipment is needed, etc.)

Overview the scene

• Lead investigator

-determine boundaries

-identify entry/exit points

-obvious physical evidence

- Fragile evidence or evidence that must be collected quickly

Search Patterns

• Spiral

• Grid

• Strip/Line search

• Quadrant/Zone search

Recording/Documentation

• Note taking (continuous throughout)

• Video

• Photographs

• sketches

Rough SketchRough Sketch —A draft representation of all

essential information and measurements at a crime scene.

• sketch is drawn at the crime scene. • recovered items of physical evidence with

key• important features of the crime scene• Date/time/location of crime scene• Investigator(s)

Finished Sketch

Finished Sketch —A precise rendering of the crime scene

• usually drawn to scale

• Unlike the rough sketch, the finished sketch is drawn with care and concern for aesthetic appearance usually with computer program

• Must contain info from rough sketch

Evidence Collecting/Recovery

• Physical evidence (collect whole items and keep intact as much as possible)

• Objects which may contain trace evidence

• Medical examiner/coroner responsible for deceased victims

• Collect control samples/substrate control

Preserving Evidence

• Evidence must be individually packaged

• Proper packaging so that evidence is not lost/damaged

• Maintaining chain of custody is responsibility of anyone who handles evidence

Why OJ Won

1) Summarize incriminating evidence against OJ Simpson.

2) Summarize mistakes made by the lead investigators.

3) Summarize crime scene security, collection, preservation mistakes.