How to Secure and Process

Crime Scenes: A Quick

Reference Guide
Introduction
All crime scene investigations are not processed the same way. There are
some preferred methods (one highlighted in this guide) to lower the risk of
missing any evidence or forgetting to document it; as long as the
investigators are systematical and methodical, the scene will be processed 2
thoroughly, no matter the location or time for processing.

1
PPE** Crime
3
Crime
Scene First Thing’s First
(1) Tape

Scene Kit Video

Essentials
recorder/ Notebook/
What’s Next? Camera Pen
(2)
Numbered within
the graphic Scales/
Evidence
markers Rulers/
Tape
Then…
(3) Measures

**PPE (personal protective equipment) is clothing Evidence Chemical

Finally, Packaging Kits
investigators wear so they do not contaminate the
scene or risk their safety in the presence of harmful
chemicals, bloodborne pathogens, etc.
 Description of the Systematic and Methodical
Processing Procedure Examples of Analyses:
v DNA
v Fingerprints
Evidence markers The scene is Evidence is sent v Fluid Identification
PPE is utilized and The initial walk- Each item of
are placed next to photographed to to the laboratory
the entire scene through is
each piece of make sure
evidence is
and the scene is
v Blood Stain Pattern
is secured with completed using collected and v Impression Evidence
evidence to be everything is released after
crime-scene tape a video packaged
collected documented being checked v Drug Analysis
v Tool mark Comparison
v Autopsies

The goal of crime scene processing is to make sure everything is documented and can be looked back at to reconstruct the scene
and determine the manner of the crime. Once the scene is released (crime scene tape is removed and the general population is
allowed to re-enter the scene), further analyses are done in the forensic laboratories.