UNIT I.

THE CRIME SCENE

Learning Objectives

At the end of this activity I am able to:

● Describe the basic processes applied in processing crime scenes.

● Be familiar with the basics of evidence handling

During forensic investigations, if evidence is mishandled or is lost at the scene, no amount of laboratory
analysis can reverse this problem and usually the scene cannot be revisited to attempt at obtaining additional
evidence. Personnel who are responsible for examining the scene of any crime can include a police officer, a
detective, a crime scene examiner, or a forensic scientist. At present, with the rapidly increasing technology
used to examine crime scenes, there is a need for those involved in dealing with a crime scene be trained. The
solution to many crimes depend on a thorough investigation of the crime scene conducted by specialist
examiners and by other experts.
Many types of evidences can be collected in a scene. These are handled by different specialized departments
such as:
● Fingerprint – recover and photograph fingermarks at the crime scene for comparison and identification
● Scene of Crime – assess, control, record the scene by document and photography, examine and recover
all types of evidence, interpret the scene for evidence, collect and control exhibits, coordinate and
prepare reports and statements of evidence
● Photographic Services – produce photographic and video images when non-routine techniques are
required, used in areas such as traffic, surveillance and public order offences
● In-Force Laboratories and Scientific Services

Important Considerations in a Crime Scene

● At the crime scene, the main task of an officer is to preserve the scene. Restrict access to any area that
might have evidence and protect all evidence.
● Prevent contamination of any part of the scene by others. Written record of all persons attending the
scene must be available and maintain a communication link.
● Protective clothing must be worn.
● Look for signs of disturbance or struggle.
● External (outdoor) location require fast and decisive actions to control and preserve evidence due to
weather conditions.
● The priority is to examine and recover a body of victim(s) in a controlled manner with the minimum
evidence disturbance.
● At all stages, a photographic record is made.
● Leocard’s Principle- evidence from the attacker is most likely to be on the body itself, be cautious as
hasty movements will disturb this evidence.
● Surfaces will be searched, will be taped to recover any contact traces.
● The victim is regarded as a scene. A post-mortem will have to be performed. Take all relevant samples.
● Selection of best evidence types fit the needs of the case. Evidence recovery must be completed in full.
Careful selection of evidence and samples can limit the workload of the forensic analysts.
● When evidence is first taken, it is sealed in a secure container and an exhibit label is attached. It
contains details of what the item is, where it was found and when. A reference number is given to an
 exhibit based on the initials of the person taking it. Indicate every person who has responsibility at any
stage for that particular exhibit, they must sign and date the label in sequence. Secure lid with adhesive
tape to complete seal.
● More sensitive DNA analysis is now available.
The Basics of Handling of Evidence
● Only a few kinds of physical evidence can be individualized. Individualization means that an item of
evidence comes from a unique source. It can be shown to be directly associated with a specific
individual source (fingerprints, tool marks and fired bullets).
● The majority of physical evidence found at crime scenes can only be identified. Identification means
that the items share a common source.
● Most physical evidence cannot definitely connect a suspect to a crime as fingerprint evidence can. This
should not diminish the usefulness of that evidence. Physical evidence that is identified can corroborate
testimony, place a subject at a scene, etc.
● Before any evidence is seized, the need for a search warrant or court order should be considered. In
some cases, the physical evidence seized at a crime scene may be inadmissible in court for lack of a
warrant.
● To prove that the integrity of the physical evidence has been maintained, a chain of custody must be
demonstrated.
● Evidence must be held in a secured area prior to transportation to court. Evidence reasonably assumed
to have been tampered with by unauthorized persons because it was kept in an unsecured area may be
inadmissible in court. Evidence should be maintained in a specific secured area, with limited access by
authorized persons.
● Too much handling may obliterate fingerprints, dislodge minute trace evidence such as hair, fibers, and
debris, break apart brittle evidence, or contaminate evidence. Forceps, latex gloves, and special
containers may be necessary for handling physical evidence.
● Microscopic or trace evidence presents unique collection problems. A number of techniques are
available to collect this type of evidence. Vacuum cleaners specially equipped with traps can be used to
collect trace evidence such as hairs, fibers, glass fragments, and debris.

Fig, 2. A Typical label used to identify an exhibit and crime scene examiners at work.
References
Fisher, B. A., & Fisher, D. R. (2012). Techniques of crime scene investigation. crc Press.
Khan, J. I., Kennedy, T. J., & Christian Jr, D. R. (2011). Basic principles of forensic chemistry. Springer Science &
Business Media.
Assessing Learning
Activity 2
Name:_______________________________ Score:_________
Course/Year/Section:___________________ Date:__________

Sample Case
The victim of this crime had lived in a semi-detached house on a small estate in the town. When the victim
returned to her house, she was surprised by an intruder. The intruder subsequently put her in his vehicle and
drove to a secluded lay-by on a main road out of the town. He removed her from the vehicle, opened a gate to a
field, carried her across to the far side and left her under a hedge. Her handbag and some items of female clothing
were thrown over the hedge into the field beyond. The following morning, a farmer out shooting rabbits found the
partially clothed body under the hedge and called the Police. When the victim did not keep an appointment with a
male friend that evening, he telephoned the house. There was no reply. The following morning, when he was still
getting no reply to his calls, he became anxious and went round to the house. He saw that a window had been
broken and was open. He called the police.
● Note that the first person(s) at any scene must cause some disturbance.
● As an analyst, look at the scene based on knowledge and experience as the facts fall into place.
● There will be pressure to deal with the crime scenes quickly since these may provide evidence of
immediate value in locating or identifying the murderer(s).
At the start of the enquiry the following questions are posed:
● Where, when, how did the victim die?
● How was the victim attacked?
● What does the evidence tell us?
● Was the victim attacked in more than one location?
● Did the victim know the attacker or was he a stranger?
The police officers assigned to this case faced these problems in terms of the crime scene”
(a) The victims house may have been broken into and contain evidence of an assault leading to murder and
traces from the intruders.
(b) The field area surrounding the body may have evidences from the murder(s), from the vehicle used as
well as items from the victim.
(c) The body of the victim may have evidence of the cause of death, nature of the assult and traces of
contact between the victim and her attackers. The victim has the control samples.
(d) The murderer may have returned to the crime scene to take evidence of the crime and eliminate traces.
(e) The vehicle of the murderer(s) may have evidence from the victim and evidence that an assault
occurred in the vehicle.
 I. As the First Officer Attending assigned at the case mentioned, what are your primary responsibilities?
What is the proper way to restrict access to the crime scene?

II. Define “common approach path” in dealing with bodies of victims.

III. What is a post-mortem exam? Who are authorized to conduct one?

IV. Enumerate the sources of biological samples that must be taken during a post-mortem exam.

V. If you are the detective assigned to this case, enumerate possible evidences that you must look for to
answer the problems stated above.
VI. What will be the next phase of scene examination after a suspect has been identified?