Do now: What steps Do now: What steps do you take in do you take in processing a crime processing a crime scene?scene?

THE CASE:THE CASE:As part of his job, a man climbs a ladder, gets caught in a As part of his job, a man climbs a ladder, gets caught in a

windstorm and ends up trapped inside a glass booth. windstorm and ends up trapped inside a glass booth. Some people see him struggling and offer money; Some people see him struggling and offer money; others turn their backs and walk away. The man never others turn their backs and walk away. The man never asks for help and no one makes any effort to help him.asks for help and no one makes any effort to help him.

THE MYSTERY:THE MYSTERY:What is this man’s occupation and who pays him?What is this man’s occupation and who pays him?

CLUES:CLUES:The man’s job requires training.The man’s job requires training.The man wears the same outfit to work every day.The man wears the same outfit to work every day.Some laugh at the man’s struggles.Some laugh at the man’s struggles.The man does not receive a regular paycheck.The man does not receive a regular paycheck.The man relies on the kindness of strangers.The man relies on the kindness of strangers.The man wears black and white makeup to work.The man wears black and white makeup to work.

Survey The Scene Survey The Scene of the Crimeof the CrimeAim:Aim: How does Locard’s Principle How does Locard’s Principle apply to a crime scene?apply to a crime scene?

The Scene of the Crime…

Analyzing & Processing Analyzing & Processing the Crime Scenethe Crime Scene Approach, Secure, and Protect SceneApproach, Secure, and Protect Scene

Determine scene boundaries (preliminary survey)Determine scene boundaries (preliminary survey) Conduct a walk-throughConduct a walk-through Determine personnel & equipment needsDetermine personnel & equipment needs Develop general theory of crimeDevelop general theory of crime

Evaluate physical evidence possibilitiesEvaluate physical evidence possibilities Concentrate on most transientConcentrate on most transient Evaluate if the scene or evidence appears “contrived”Evaluate if the scene or evidence appears “contrived” Has evidence been moved? Missing?Has evidence been moved? Missing?

Narrative descriptionNarrative description--written, audio, videowritten, audio, video Photograph scene- ASAP!- Before evidence collection & from Photograph scene- ASAP!- Before evidence collection & from

eyeleveleyelevel Use recognized scale device for size determination (photo with & Use recognized scale device for size determination (photo with &

without)without) Photo entry and exitPhoto entry and exit Photo spectators standing around watching activitiesPhoto spectators standing around watching activities Victim can be examined after all photos are takenVictim can be examined after all photos are taken

Sketch/Diagram scene Sketch/Diagram scene

- Permanent record of items, conditions, distance/size relationships- Permanent record of items, conditions, distance/size relationships

- Rough sketch is drawn at scene- Rough sketch is drawn at scene

-What to include?What to include?

-Specific LocationSpecific Location

-Date / TimeDate / Time

-Case Identifier & PreparerCase Identifier & Preparer

-Weather ConditionsWeather Conditions

-Lighting ConditionsLighting Conditions

-ScaleScale

-Compass OrientationCompass Orientation

-EvidenceEvidence

-MeasurementsMeasurements

-Key or LegendKey or Legend

Conduct detailed searchConduct detailed search-Based upon evidence possibilitiesBased upon evidence possibilities

-General to SpecificGeneral to Specific

-3 Dimensional3 Dimensional

-Specialized search patternsSpecialized search patterns

-Evidence logEvidence log

-Proper collection techniquesProper collection techniques

-Seal all evidence containers at sceneSeal all evidence containers at scene

-Obtain “Known Standards”Obtain “Known Standards”

(e.g. fiber sample from carpet) (e.g. fiber sample from carpet) Conduct final surveyConduct final survey

--check for errorscheck for errors

Release crime sceneRelease crime scene-Time, date. To whom, by whomTime, date. To whom, by whom

-Re-entry may require a warrantRe-entry may require a warrant

“Fingertip Search”-Coveralls prevent searchers’ clothing from contaminating the scene. Examined after for residual evidence.

-Gloves prevent searchers’ DNA from contaminating the scene.

-Masks are worn to protect evidence. (& sometimes safety of searchers)

-Shoulder-to-shoulder fingertip search is used for small crime scenes & trace evidence collection.

-Notes written at scene are valuable as evidence. Photography is vital!

Police search an area where a woman’s body was found in a suitcase in 2001

Sample Crime Scene Photographs