Steps for a Successful Crime Scene Investigation

Warming-up.

In your own words try to explain the following terms:

the main area of the disturbance

a traffic intersection

entryway

evidence storage areas

a preliminary crime scene survey

Read the following text and check if your ideas of the notions mentioned above were right.

Make sure you understand the meaning of the following words and word-combinations:

various tactics and circumstances

to conduct a fruitful and efficient crime

detrimental

to take into consideration

hazardous materials

to hinder the investigation

eventual prosecution

accurate

complete

to establish the chain of custody

Steps for a Successful Crime Scene Investigation

To perform a successful crime scene investigation, there are a myriad of individual procedures used by investigators. And, of course, different crimes call for specific methods. Despite, however, the various tactics and circumstances, individual investigators generally utilize the following universal steps in order to conduct a fruitful and efficient crime scene investigation.

An investigator must initially locate the main area of the disturbance, i.e. the focal point of the crime. This could be a ransacked living room, a traffic intersection where a collision occurred or a remote part of nature where a murder took place. Once the focal point has been ascertained, the investigator creates a radius of the area, in which all the immediate, relevant physical evidence may be present.

It behooves the investigator to create a relatively large radius, due to the fact that it is much easier to later condense the crime scene than enlarge it. It would be detrimental to the investigation if the area was too small, and crucial evidence (outside of the area) was compromised by onlookers or the media.

In addition to establishing the focal point’s radius, the investigator must identify the potential areas of ingress and egress of the criminal. The safety of all people in the area must also be taken into consideration. Therefore, any sort of hazardous materials, weapons or intentional traps must be identified.

Every single person who enters and exits the crime scene will “add or subtract” crucial material from the crime scene. Thus, it is vital that the lead investigator secure the area as quickly as possible.

In order to control access, the scene is generally cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape or other methods, such as rope or cones. Further, an entrance is established for all personnel to use when entering and exiting the scene. Once the common entryway has been created, all people who enter and leave the area must be documented. For larger and more complex crime scenes, additional consultation and evidence storage areas may be created.

Prior to the collection of evidence, the crime scene investigators must develop a theory concerning what exactly transpired at the scene. Once the team has a working knowledge of what type of crime occurred, the investigators will be more prepared to anticipate what kind of evidence may be present.

A method for developing the crime theory is to interview witnesses, or persons of interest. Once the investigators have obtained sufficient information, the team will develop their strategy for collecting evidence.

A preliminary crime scene survey is performed in an effort to prioritize the collection of evidence. While conducting the scene walkthrough, the lead investigator will identify and take photos of important evidence.

Investigators will also document certain aspects of the crime scene, so that the scene conditions are properly captured. For example, the investigators will note weather conditions, the exact position of items such as furniture, the presence of any smells and whether the lights were on or off.

After the plan has been established and the initial survey has been performed, the crime scene investigators conduct a diligent, thorough and coordinated investigation of the scene. At that time, the team will collect all probative evidence. The collection of evidence includes the proper digital documentation of the scene and evidence, which also may include 3D scanners, diagrams, models and sketches.

While the collection of evidence is being conducted, it is vital that all investigators follow strict protocol in the collection, packaging and preservation of the evidence. If the integrity of any of the evidence is compromised, it could hinder the investigation and eventual prosecution.

For quality control purposes, a secondary walkthrough is conducted by the lead investigator so as to ensure that the entire crime scene has been thoroughly searched.

In order to ensure that all collected evidence has been documented, the investigation team will create an inventory log. Each piece of evidence is described in the log, and such description must match the photo of the evidence and the crime scene report description.

The evidence log and crime scene report establishes the chain of custody, which will follow the evidence throughout the duration of the case.

The final survey allows the investigators to conduct a critical review of all aspects of the crime scene investigation. Each team member participates in the final survey to ensure that no inadvertent errors are found in the documentation, and that the paper trail is thorough, accurate and complete.

One last search of the area is performed to ensure evidence was not overlooked in hidden or hard to access sections of the crime scene.

Once the final survey has been completed, the lead investigator or other authorized persons may release the crime scene. Oftentimes, in order to gain re-entry to a released crime scene, a warrant is required.

Questions to discuss.

Do different crimes call for specific crime scene investigation methods?
What are the main steps of the crime scene investigation?
What is the focal point’s radius?
What is a preliminary crime scene survey?
Why is it vital that the lead investigator secure the area as quickly as possible?
Must all people who enter and leave the area be documented?
Does the working knowledge of what type of crime occurred help investigate the crime scene?
What is an inventory log?
When can the lead investigator release the crime scene?

Feedback

Activities.

- Using the Internet make a list of Belarus’ higher education establishments training crime scene investigators.

- Read the following text. What evidence helped to define the criminal?

On 17 August 1980, Lindy and Michael Chamberlain were camping with their two children at Uluru in Australia’s Northern Territory. At about 10pm that night, the two of them heard a cry from the tent in which their 4-year-old son and 10-month-old daughter, Azaria, were sleeping. Lindy ran out to the tent where she witnessed a dingo nearby. Upon entering the tent she discovered a pool of blood and her baby daughter missing.

Police were soon called to the scene but, although they searched for hours, found nothing. The Chamberlains were interviewed numerous times, though it was not until a later interview that suspicions arose. Soon enough a tourist discovered a baby’s vest and jumpsuit, later confirmed to be the baby’s. A forensic examination of these clothes concluded that there were no dingo bite marks or saliva present on the clothes. Unfortunately not all of the available evidence had been collected from the crime scene, so an extensive examination could not be conducted. Despite these suspicions, it was concluded that Azaria had in fact been taken by a dingo and the couple were not detained. However a later analysis of the baby’s clothing revealed some shocking evidence. A blood print was found on the clothes, a print in the shape of a woman’s hand. This was sufficient to reopen the case, and the investigation resumed. An analysis of the Chamberlain’s car revealed a pair of scissors and Azaria’s blood. Numerous experts claimed that the tears in the baby’s clothing were actually made by a pair of scissors.

On 2 February 1982, a court case was held, after which Lindy Chamberlain was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. However after serving just six years, the baby’s jacket was surprisingly discovered party buried at Uluru, acting as sufficient evidence to trigger Lindy’s release from prison.