CHAPTER

4
SEARCH & COLILECTION

1. Searching
One of the major activities by the investigating officer at crime scene is to
for potential evidence that have some probative value in
nake a thorough search
mak
he crime at hand. The crime scene in a larger sense includes more than the direct
locationwhere the crime has been aken place. It may include other physical loca-
material has been generated such place where person has
tions where the clue
as

heen killed, the dead body dumped and the vehicle which was used for transporta-
potential
evidences which are to solve the crime.
tion of the body. All these contain
officer and forensic expert is based on Locard's
The prime work of the investigating
that whenever two or more objects come into
con-

principle of exchange. lt states

is always a transfer of material across the
contact
tact with one another, there
criminal can perpetrate a crime without
boundaries. Paul Krik then added that no
behind or taking evidence away from
the victim and the crime
leaving evidence
these left out
The role of investigating officer is to search and recognize
scene.
of offence. the victim and his
evidence, exchange between the culprit, weapon
search. The search for physi-
and the crime scene through rigorous
surroundings in a methodical manner and
no space

cal evidence should be conducted carefully team leader should always

search. The investigating
should be omitted from the evidence. The
participating in the search of physical
brief all others who are likely to another: such as
one crime scene
used for searching vary from
techniques foot in the crime scene,
the investigator must
indoor and outdoor. Before setting value of any
determine the scope and
information as possible to
gather as much

evidence of witnesses, the suspect

and
include statements
This information may officer is also very important
information from first responding
the victim. The and fragile evidence such
as
destruction of any valuable
to prevent the etc. The investigating officer
shoeprint, trace evidence,
and
fingerprint, footprint, to searchphysical evidence; however,
common sense
logic and
should also use what is
imagination and be open minded. When deciding
use
he should also If the crime scene is an indoor, the
it will be found?
evidence and where
 Physical Evidence in Criminal Investigation& Trial
28
order whicn means ether by clockwise or antj-cloce.
<wise
conducted in a definite
a search,
aways COnsider the door as a starting no
movement. In such
manner mendoned above around the centre point At
quently. move in the
and windows should also he
time floor, the roof, walls,
the same
an o u t d o o r With large open area, then seareh
thoroughly.
crime scene 1s
If the scenc anoner. The investigating
earching
officer
one crime
techniques vary from y
one of the following:
adopt any
Strin Method: In this method wnoie crime is marked into a large rectangle. and
then it is divided into convenient vertical strips or rectangle segments, No
ow
search is started from one end of the Iirst strip with careful examination and g0es
on for each strip till the last. This is very simple but useful method.

ii. Spiral Method: This is a spiral pattern of searching. In this method the crime
Scene is marked as a circle with its central or focal point at the centre. The search
is started from the focal point of the crime scene and then carried out in spiral
1ashion up to the periphery. The proceeding could also be vice-versa as the case
may be. Since the search of the crime scene can be conducted effectively by tne
investigating officer alone and no area remains uncovered, therefore this metnou
is considered to be
one of the most effective
methods.
Search& Collection
9
Zonal Method: In this method the entire crime scene is marked as a large
ii.
squure
arc, then subdivided in to small zones as per convenient of the search team.
ch 7one is examine imtensively by an individual. If the crime scene is a house,
het Cach room and place is considered as a zone subsequently, almirah, furniture,
then
sunk, carpet, cle. Pxch of the objects requires intensive and thorough search to
trun

find trace materia Sonmetimes, it becomes necessary to use evidence collecting

device such as vacuuning to collect dust, hair fibre and other traces from the

carpet. sofa. almirah, ete. This method is extremely useful if a crime is a residential
carp
house.

L2
45 6
8

Radial Method: This method is similar to spiral method in some

iv. Wheel or

where the crime scene again circle and divided into four or
marked as a
aspect,
that, the search starts from the
eight segments. Only difference in this method is
search may also be conducted from the
centre to periphery along the radii. The
both indoor and outdoor
to the centre. This method can be used for
periphery
crime scenes.

modified and much improved

This is basically
Crosshatch Method: scene is marked as a
v. Grid or
whole the
crime
method. Firstly to grids.
version of the strip horizontally and vertically in
rectangle is divided effective
entire This is the most
rectangle then examined twice
at right angle.
square is
Each and every
method of
the searching.
 Physical Evidence in Criminal Investigation & Trial.
30
above, the search should alwave
Apart from
searching methods described be
point of entry and be completed up to the exit point. Both thne
started from the
are required to be searched up to some distance back and ahe;
points
Investigating officers, often, search evidence al ground levels but they shoula
not forget that. trace evidence may be tound a walls, roof, windows, ventilatoro
ceiling fans, exhaust fans also. Sufficient light is the minimum requirement for the
search, therefore. if possible it should be conducted in daylight, and otherwise
flood lights should always be used if search area is a dark place. Traditionallu
a torch. a hand magnifier, flood light source are beingg used for the purpose. Now
a day, colour filters, florescence lights are also being used during the search.
However, we should never forget that the method adopted is not so important
but thoroughness, systematic approach, open mined, effective planning and the
skill mainly decide the outcome of the fruitful search.

2. Collection
Garbage in, garbage out", the statement has often been applied to
computer language, but equally important with respect to the collection of
physical evidence from the crime scene. Evidence that is not collected with the
protection from spoilage or contamination may not be in a condition to provide
fruitful information. Collection of physical evidence from the crime scene should
be carried out in an organized manner so that nothing gets contaminated.
misplaced or destroyed. During collection of evidence, there is a possibility to
get hair, fibres, sweating, etc. from the investigator's body mixed with physical
evidence found at the crime scene. Since the white cotton has the least evidential
value as a fibre thus it is suitable in preventing contamination of scenes or
clothing with fibres from the examiner's clothing. However, he should. if possible
wear white cotton overal, cap and hand gloves during evidence collection.
The principal equipments for collection of physical evidence and their
uses are described in following table.

i. Evidence Collection
Equipments.
s.N. Equipment Physical Evidence Collected
Brush Micro traces; paint, dust, wood and metal powder,
fragment of glass, vegetation, etc.
Swab Fine particles, caught in the coarse fibres of the|
swab.
3. Paint brush To sweep localized and constricted area for trace
materials.