Importance of scene of crime

1) Starting point for the investigator

2) Wealth of clue of materials \
3) Linking the criminal
4) Patterns of events
5) Modius oprendi
6) No. of weapons
7) Transport used
8) Ingress and egress

Locards principle of exchange

Edmond locard observed that criminal often leave clues
When two objects come in contact there is always exchange of material
Criminal may avoid being ssen or heard but he cannot avoid coming in cinact with the
enviroinment.

Crime scene management

Locating the focal point

Observe fpor secondary scene
Safety of person
Ensure the assistance to the victim.
Preservation of crime scene, first person arriving at the crime scene should be able to
protect from the curiois onlookers and family members.
He should islote the crime by cordoning it off.
Nothing on the scene shoukd be touched, changed or altered until investigating officres takes
note of it
Entery and exits points should be marked specifically.
Forensic contamination can be avoided
Controlling acces to scene
Covering scene
Keeping records of everyone who has access to the scene
Taking fingerprints and dna sample from staff
Providing guidance in packaging of recoverd material
Destruction or deteriotaion of evidence due to environmental condidtion such as heat,cold,
rain, snow etc and effective protection of biological evidence
Evidence which cannot be protrcted under this condition should be quickly collected
without compromising its integrity
When encountering a combination of an indoor and outdoor scene, the outdoor component
must be first.
Recording the crime scene
After taking an immediate action to protect the the crime scene the investigator should
proceed to take the evidence.
Before that he should take help of two independent reliable witnesses
1) Recording of notes;
 1. It hast to be started by recording pertinent facts and details observed by him at the
crime scene.
2. He needs to record trhe date and time of the fir
2) Sketching of the crime scene
 The investigator must make a rough sketch of the crime scene.
 Sketch of the crime scene should be made at site and not at any other place
 Distance should be measured.
 Direction should be indiacted
 Sketch should show and locate important objects
3) Photographs of the crime scene
i) The crime scene should be photographed as a matter vof routine
ii) Its not possible for the judge to visit the crime scene of occurrence, proper photographs
of the scene brings more clarity. Video can be more informative.
iii) Details available to investigator even long afterwards.
iv) Photographs should be taken before everything is disturbed
v) Many shot should be taken.
vi) Investigator may be influenced by the intrested person and can do the investigation
preconceived theory. Later ceryttain facts can lead to different conclusions, if video film
is available, the versions can be verified.
vii) Skid marks and tyre marks are found on highways and busy roads in accident cases. The
evidence cannot be left undisturbed for a long time without serious dislocation of
traffic. The evidence is therefore best recorded by photography.
viii) A video camera plays important role in riot cases. It records the identities of participants
and the part played individually by them.
ix) Perishable evidence like wounds on a dead body, traces of resistance and strangulation
marks are best recorded and preserved through photos.
4) Search for evidence
a) Strip method; whole area to be searched is blocked into rectangle and the serachers
proceed along tracks parallel to one side of rectangle looking for clues.
b) Spiral Method: In this method of search, the searchers start from a point just outside the
area of the crime scene and move along the path of the spiral till they reach the centre of
the crime scene.
c) Zonal Method: In this method of search, the entire area to be searched is blocked into a big
square. The big square is then conveniently subdivided into small squares, which are then
assigned to individual searchers.
d) Wheel Method: In this method of search, the entire scene is marked a circle. Here the
searchers are made to start their search from the centre and proceed along the radius.
They then repeat the process several times depending on the size of the circle.
e) Outdoor crime scene present difficult problems during night time. If possible search should
be postponed to the following day. If this is not possible then search should be done with
proper arrangement of light.
f) In case of outdoor search, the combination of zone and spiral methods is most ideal one.
g) In indoor search, usually spiral method is preferred.
h) In case of vehicle, the search will depend upon the type of crime under investigation.
i) In case of rape or murder, the interior has to be examined with great care. It should be
searched for fingerprints, blood, fibres, hair, dust, etc.
j) Exterior examination should focus on the bumper, grill, dents, broken head lights,
damaged paint, under surface of mud guard, windscreen, etc.
 k) Nothing at the crime scene is insignificant.
l) The investigator should bear in mind that the traces, however, insignificant at the first
appearance, may prove to be of immense value later.
m) Even the small traces must receive the closest attention of the investigator.
n) Correct search of the scene for evidence is essential for proper reconstruction of a crime.
o) The position and condition of everything at the scene must be properly noted, namely:
p) Overturned furniture, disturbed wall hangings,
q) Broken doors and windows,
r) Type and nature of damage to windows,
s) Displaced articles,
t) Position of the victim.
5) Collection and Preservation of Evidence:.
i) Collection and Preservation of Evidence:
ii) After the evidence are ascertained, it should be carefully collected as per the
prescribed guidelines and preserved.
iii) It is always suggested that the investigating officer must have hand gloves to prevent
the object from his fingerprint.
iv) Plastic bags, bottles and glass containers with proper lids or stoppers prevent spilling
or contamination.
v) Once the crime scene has been thoroughly documented and the locations of the
evidence noted, then the collection process can begin.
vi) The collection process will usually start with the collection of the most fragile or most
easily lost evidence.
vii) Special consideration can also be given to any evidence or objects which need to be
moved.
viii) Most items of evidence will be collected in paper containers such as packets,
envelopes, and bags. Liquid items can be transported in non-breakable, leakproof
containers.
ix) Arson evidence is usually collected in air-tight, clean metal cans. Only large quantities
of dry powder should be collected and stored in plastic bags.
x) Moist or wet evidence (blood, plants, etc.) from a crime scene can be collected in
plastic containers at the scene and transported back to an evidence receiving area if
the storage time in plastic is two hours or less and this is done to prevent
contamination of other evidence.