Crime Scene Evaluation and Physical Evidences

Procedures for Evaluation of Crime Scene

The succeeding procedures are carried out for the evaluation of any crime scene:

Gathering and Preserving the Physical Proofs

1. Initially “contact at the crime scene” is decided such as bureau case number is allotted to the crime scene. Additionally, exact place on which the crime has taken place is determined and name and private required information of the victim or victims is gathered in this procedure.
2. Afterward, the procedure named as “crime scene walk-through or preliminary survey” is carried out so that entire crime scene location can be examined and notes from the scene can be taken. Additionally, this procedure is carried out to make anticipation as regards to intention of criminal for attempting crime and what activities has taken place on the crime scene.
3. Afterward, the procedure named as “Crime Scene Search for the Trace Proof” is carried out. The trace proof comprise the substances such as hair, glass, paint, soil, fibers, etc.
4. Afterward, the procedure named as “Crime Scene Search for the Biological Proof” procedure is carried out. The biological proof comprise the substances such as spit. Semen, blood, etc.
5. The next procedure is the “Photography” of crime scene. In this procedure, the photographs of entire crime scene location are taken from the 3 angles (one close-up view, midrange or medium view, and one wide-angle or long view). Photographs in the 3 views are taken so that crime scene can be evaluated from the each angle. Additionally, photographs of the vehicles and the biological proofs (those are found on the crime scene) are taken from the each angle for their collect evaluation.
6. The next procedure is the preparation of the files and notes as regards to the investigation of the crime scene. This procedure is attempted from the officers and investigators who have been allotted the task of handling the crime.
7. Afterward, “sketches and diagram” procedure is carried out. In this procedure, sketches and diagrams associated to the crime scene are drawn.
8. The next procedure is the “Evidence Gathering” procedure. In this procedure, majorly two methods are utilized for gathering the evidence named as: Liquid Material Collection Method and Dried Material Collection Method.
9. After gathering the evidences, next procedure is the packaging and marking of the gathered evidence for their security and recognition.
10. The next procedure is the “establishment of the chain of the custody”. In this procedure, a document as regards to chain of custody is prepared that describe the every activity associated to the crime scene in detail such as specifying the way the proofs were gathered and locations from where the proofs were gathered.
11. The last procedure is the “Reporting” of crime scene. This procedure comprise the reporting of entire activities associated to crime scene and the processing outcomes.

The task of gathering the physical proofs from the crime scene should be carried out with extreme care since if the gathered physical proofs are recorded and preserved in their original situation then it helps a lot the court to exactly analyze the crime scene and take the correct decision to punish the criminal or criminals. The initial activity in gathering the physical proofs from the crime scene is the walk-through and inspection of the crime scene.

The sequence of the proof gathering may rely on the succeeding information:

The location of the crime scene such as exterior, interior, or inside any vehicle.

The condition of gathered proof. This may be either stable or fragile.

Weather circumstances that might put impact on the crime scene or gathered physical proof.

The considerations of management of Crime Scene that may contaminate or modify the physical proof.

The extra techniques for the crime scene processing, which may be require to get organized at the crime scene with the expert officers or workforce.

Additionally, the investigators of the crime scene should make use of suitable equipment or tool in gathering the physical proofs. The equipment to gather physical proofs comprise: Tweezers, Scalpels, Forceps, thermometer, Swabs, plastic bags, cardboard boxes, hand tools, wrapping paper, nitrile or latex gloves, plastic five gallon bucket having the lid, etc.

There are a number of customary and modern techniques to preserve the physical proofs. Digital imaging is well thought-out as the superior technique for preserving the gathered physical proofs from the crime scenes, although it is having the unconstructive aspect that the images captured from the digital imaging can be manipulated easily. Therefore, customary techniques are also utilized to preserve the physical proofs gathered from the crime scene such as assigning one officer the task of gathering, marking, packaging, sealing, and preserving the physical proofs in a reliable manner. The preservation of the physical reference is carried out through the packaging, sealing, and marking of the gathered physical proofs. Paper bags, labeled envelops, and folder papers should be utilized for the task of packaging the physical proofs such as blood, hair, and further body fluids. Every distinct physical proof should be packaged or preserved in dissimilar paper bags so that they cannot contaminate.

Procedures for Searching and Securing the Crime Scene

The safety of the crime scene is the obligatory thing so that criminal can get punished and victim can get the justice. In searching and securing the crime scene, initially the investigator who visit the location of crime scene is accountable to take the actions to search and preserve the crime scene. This can be attempted initially through examining the situation of the victim prior to her or his medical examination. The statements given from the victim should be recorded correctly. The entire persons and physical substances present at the crime scene should be investigated through the investigation officer.

The officer should seal the crime scene location and exclude the entire present persons from the location together with the family members of the victim. The investigation officers should take the record of the entire persons who exit and enter the crime location and the time of their entry and exit. This activity will comprise taking record of every individual present at the crime scene such as fellow police officers, media persons, family members, neighbors and any other person. The entire aspects present at the crime scene together with the dead body in death scenes should be maintained in their original situation for security purposes.

Subsequent to the task of securing the crime scene, any lead investigator will take the “Survey” of the entire area of the crime scene for searching the proofs. The initial survey of the crime scene is named as “Walk-through” that is attempted to examine and make secure the crime scene.

The “Searching” of the crime scene can be carried out through a number of patterns such as STRIP or LINE search pattern, GRID search pattern, SPIRAL search pattern, RAY or WHEEL search pattern, QUADRANT or ZONE search pattern, etc. These patterns have the dissimilar methods to search the proofs from the crime scene. Additionally, searches of the vehicle that are present on the crime scene is carried out for searching the proofs.

Methods for Crime Scene Recording

The initial method for crime scene recording is the “Note –Taking”. In the initial notes, the identity of the person or persons who make contact with the police and inform the police as regards to crime should be mentioned. Additionally, the notes are taken at every step such as at the time of walk-through, survey, etc. The dates and times associated to the crime are also recorded such as date and time of occurrence of crime, date and time of the commencement of investigation and arrival of officers at the crime scene, etc. The gather physical proofs from the crime scene are also recorded in the notes.

The next method is the “photography” of the crime scene. The two techniques are utilized in photography as: digital and film photography. Together these techniques are dissimilar in their approach of converting the light in images. Slide film and print film are the further kinds of film photography. The major usage of photography is that photographs can be utilized to look at each aspect of the crime scene. Camera is utilized as an equipment to carry out the task of photography. Additionally, illumination is utilized in photography, which signifies the light falling on any object in any photograph. Photography is carried out in a number of ways such as indoor scenes photography, accident photography, impression photography, arson photography, bloodstain photography, shooting incident photography, latent fingerprint photography, etc.

Lastly, “Sketches” are utilized to record the crime scenes. Sketches describe the outdoor and indoor scenes. Any sketch can make clear the features and objects that are previously shown in the photographs or described in the notes.