The Crime SceneThe Crime Scene

WHO? WHO? WHAT? WHAT? WHERE?WHERE? WHEN?WHEN?

How do you define a crime How do you define a crime scene?scene?

Any place were evidence can Any place were evidence can be collected that will help be collected that will help explain the events associated explain the events associated with the crime.with the crime.

What are the primary and What are the primary and secondary scenes?secondary scenes?

Primary: where crime was actually Primary: where crime was actually committedcommitted

Ex. A woman is abducted from the Ex. A woman is abducted from the parking lot of a bank and MURDERED IN parking lot of a bank and MURDERED IN THE BACK OF A White VANTHE BACK OF A White VAN

Secondary: any place associated with Secondary: any place associated with the crime where evidence can be the crime where evidence can be collectedcollected

Ex. The field where the body is dumped.Ex. The field where the body is dumped.

Primary vs. SecondaryPrimary vs. Secondary

How many scenes can one How many scenes can one crime have?crime have?

innumerableinnumerable

How big and small can a How big and small can a scene be?scene be?

From the size of a computer chip or From the size of a computer chip or cell phone to the size of a corn field cell phone to the size of a corn field or miles of the oceanor miles of the ocean

Who is in charge of the Who is in charge of the scene?scene?

It depends on who you ask. It could be It depends on who you ask. It could be the 1the 1stst EMT to the scene or the EMT to the scene or the detective first at the scene or the detective first at the scene or the one with the highest rank .one with the highest rank .

What are the 5-7 top What are the 5-7 top priorities of the first priorities of the first

responders?responders?1.1. Get medical assistance… SAVE Get medical assistance… SAVE

LIVESLIVES

2.2. Secure the scene and get back upSecure the scene and get back up

3.3. Identify and Isolate witnessesIdentify and Isolate witnesses

4.4. Preserve evidencePreserve evidence

5.5. Photograph scene, sketch scene Photograph scene, sketch scene document the scene using all document the scene using all senses senses

What should be done to What should be done to secure the scene?secure the scene?

Establish a Establish a single accesssingle access path with path with LOGLOG

Establish a command postEstablish a command postMan both with officersMan both with officersHave officers encircle the scene with Have officers encircle the scene with

barrier tape and uniformed officersbarrier tape and uniformed officersKeep the press outKeep the press out

Preserving EvidencePreserving Evidence

Quadrant SearchQuadrant Search

Zone or Sector Search Method

Area to be searched is divided into zones or sectors.

Each person is assigned a sector to do a thorough

search. The sectors can then be searched by

another if necessary

Grid searchGrid search Grid search patterns are Grid search patterns are

especially effective when especially effective when searching large areas, such searching large areas, such as a field or other open land as a field or other open land areas. Each grid block is areas. Each grid block is assigned a number or assigned a number or letter. Detectives use letter. Detectives use those identifiers as those identifiers as reference points when reference points when testifying in court. Example: testifying in court. Example: “I located the murder “I located the murder weapon in block number 4.  weapon in block number 4.  I also discovered spent I also discovered spent bullet casings in block bullet casings in block number 3.”number 3.”

Strip or Lane Search Method Usually used for covering

large or open areas. Personnel will line up

shoulder to shoulder; usually an arm’s distant away from each other and move slowly along examining parallel strips of terrain.

When a suspected piece of evidence is located they will call the Team Leader before taking any action. Personnel

should try to maintain the straight line and move forward together to avoid missing areas.

Spiral SearchSpiral Search Typically used for

outdoor scenes. This search pattern is usually conducted by a single searcher who walks in a slightly decreasing, less-than-concentric circle from the outermost boundary towards the center.

The process should not be reversed.

Can be used for underwater searches.

Collecting EvidenceCollecting Evidence