a.

The Crime Scene Search

Learning Objective:
Defined crime scene search,
Draw the crime scene sketch,
Appreciate the search of the crime scene.

1. Processing and Securing a Crime Scene – Processing a crime scene

includes the application of diligent and careful methods by an
investigator/policemen to recognize, identify, preserve and collect fact
and items of evidentiary value that may assist in reconstructing that
which actually occurred. The crime scene is the area surrounding the
place where the crime occurred. The processing of the area at the scene
includes all direct traces of the crime. And this is determined by the type
of crime committed and the place where the act occurred.

2. Protecting the Crime Scene and the Evidence – Successful crimes

scene processing depends upon the policeman’s or investigator’s skill in
recognizing and collecting facts and items of value as evidence, and
upon his ability to protect, preserve, and later, to present these in a
logical manner. This requires making careful and detailed notes and
sketches; written statements and transcribing verbal statements of
witnesses, suspects and marking and preservation of collected physical
objects of evidentiary nature.
3. Laboratory examination of objects and substances located usually
at the crime scene. Objects and substances needing examination in some
cases are carried, intentionally or unintentionally, by suspects from the
crime scene.
 b. Investigator’s Notebook

a. Purpose: Considering the mass of details and the number of

cases which in some instances an investigator is handling, it is very
possible that he might forget some details. Many of the details
associated with the investigation, while not essential to the report, might
become points of interest to the court when the case is brought to trial.
Experienced investigators employ a notebook to record the relevant
details of the case. During trial, the court allows investigators to consult
their notes to refresh their memory.

b. Recording Note: The data of the investigation should be

recorded in a complete, accurate and legible fashion so that in the event
another investigator is required to assume responsibility for the
investigation, he can make intelligent use of the notebook.