FORENSIC SCIENCE

 Delton Gordon MSc., BEng Forensic Science

 Detective Corporal –TSD training Unit
 Forensic Toxicologist/Chemist
 Chemical Engineer
 Forensic Crime Scene Trainer
 Forensic Crime Scene Investigator (CFCSI)
 Lecturer University of Technology
Faculty of Science and Sport
School of Applied Science
Contact: cell-4316000 , delton.gordon@jcf.gov.jm
delton_gordon@hotmail.com
 Forensic Crime Scene
Investigation

Human Remains Recovery

Delton Gordon MSc.,Beng.

 Introduction
 Thelack of proper training in the
Forensic investigation/recovery of human
remains sometimes prevent effective
processing.

 TheFCSI will process multitude of crime

scenes and Human Remains Recovery is
no different, once the FCSI is equipped
with the necessary knowledge, skills and
equipment.
Key terms
 Exhumation
◦ The unearthing of a dead body for the purpose of
reexamination. Must be ordered by a coroner.
 Excavation
◦ A controlled exploration of what lies below the
surface, usually carried out with trowels, slow and
methodical
 Entomology
◦ The study of insects (next lecture)
Key terms
 Forensic entomology
◦ Involves the use of insects and other arthropods to aid in
legal investigations.

 Odontology
◦ The study of the structure and composition of the teeth

 Pathology
◦ The branch of medicine concern with the laboratory
examination of samples; cause and effects of disease.
Precautions
 Biohazards

 PPE

 1:10 ratio of bleach

 Disposal of Biohazards
Recovery of site
 Once a scene has been located , it should be
documented

 If at night, it should be secure with cordon

tape, with continuous police security until
daylight

 All necessary physical and Human Resource

Recovery of site
 Note taking and sketching is just as
important as crime scene photographs

 Do not rush the process to recover what you

can see. It is a meticulous task

 It is a process that normally takes a minimum

of two days
Recovery of site
 Look for entomological evidence

 Look for all evidence that can assist in

identifying the body, the skull may be used to
determine age, sex or race.

 Pelvic can be used to determine sex and leg

bones can determine height
Buried bodies
 Criminal investigations often lead to buried
bodies, suspects in custody can lead
investigators to site where bodies are buried

 Once the location of a burial site is located it is

recommended to take aerial photographs prior to
excavation work

 In approaching the gravesite identify any possible

route use by the perpetrators and avoid this
route
TOOLS NEEDED
 Metal Detector Digital Camera
 Camcorder Measuring Tapes
 Shovels Pickaxes
 Sieves Pitch Forks
 Buckets Tarpaulin
 C/Scene Markers Pens, Pencils, Paper
 Probe Body Bag
 Compass Pegs (metal or wooden)
 Hammer Rubber Gloves North Sign
Soil disturbance
 Mounds:A recently disturbed section of earth
could manifest itself in the form of a mound
in comparison to the rest of its surroundings.

 Depressions: The opposite of mounds in that

disturbed soil will naturally compact after a
time leaving a sink/depression
Soil disturbance
 Downturn Vegetation: If on digging a
potential site leaves or displaced roots are
found, this is a clear indication that this area
had been disturbed.

 Colouration/Composition of the Soil: If the

composition or coloration of the soil at a
particular depth is not consistent, then this is
a red flag that this area had been disturbed.
Vegetation

 Difference
stages of growth of local
Vegetation:

If it is observed that there is a clearing in the

midst of a vegetated area or an area exhibits
vegetation which is less developed that its
surroundings, then this is an indication that
this area had been disturbed.
Soil disturbance
Soil disturbance
Probing potential burial site
 A PROBE is a metal spike about five (5) feet in
height used to gently test suspicious areas as
to the compactness of the ground.

 In probing a potential burial site care must be

taken to minimize damage to the body.
Probing potential burial site
 That is if the soil is disturbed it will be less
compacted hence the possibility that the
probe might plunge into the body.

 Damaging the body will with probe will falsely

indicate a stab or bullet wound.

 Probing must be gentle and systematic.

Probing potential burial site
 On deciding on a potential burial site after
probing, the metal detector must be used to
scan the area for potential evidence before
clearing of the area, this includes:

 Bullets
 spent casing
 Jewelry
 dentures etc
Grid
 Reference lines on map
◦ network of evenly spaced horizontal and vertical
lines on a map, used as a basis for finding specific
points

 Adjacent squares
◦ network of squares formed by horizontal and
vertical lines
Gridding potential burial site
Gridding potential burial site
 In gridding a potential burial site the compass
must be used to locate the cardinal points.

 Then five (5)feet must be measured off from the

potential site going north.

 A north line ten (10) feet in length, signifying the

North Wall, is then drawn perpendicular to the
measured five (5) feet (5’ each side of this line).
Gridding potential burial site
 To the east of this North Wall measure ten
(10) feet to the south to form the East Wall

 From the intersection of the North and East

walls use one tape to map a 14.1feet
diagonal to the southwest and another tape
to mark off ten (10) feet from the tip of the
north wall going south and where they
intersect at ten feet that is the final point.
 Gridding potential burial site
 Pegs are then driven at the respective points then
cord or scene tape is used to physically highlight
the grid.

 Datum point
Any reference point of known or assumed
coordinates from which calculation or
measurements may be taken.

 Usually the north east corner of grid

Gridding potential burial site
 Probing is again used at this stage to
estimate the edges/sides of the grave (so as
to prevent unnecessary trauma to the body
eg puncture from tools used) which is then
outlined using flags.

 The probe should occasionally be used to

test the area for its compactness so as to
keep the dig relevant.
Gridding potential burial site
Excavation
 The naming and numbering of each bucket of
soil removed, afford a reference each time
anything of evidential value is found.

 The metal detector must be used to scan the

area as the dig progresses as also digital
images using the North sign, video recording
and sketches must be done periodically.
Excavation

Establish a sifting area 50-75 feet

away from the gravesite

28
 Excavation

Take the time to gather the equipment and

manpower needed.

A minimum of 5-6 personnel is needed to

process a gravesite

If daylight is fading keep the scene secured and

return the next day to continue excavating

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 Excavation

Two FCSI facing each other will be in the

gravesite using a hand trowel will remove 2-3
inches of dirt at a time

TSD Training Unit 30

 Excavation

Use a metal detector every 2-3 inches interval,

alternative light source may be used to find trace
evidence

When a piece of evidence is located, photograph

and show the depth below ground level

Place a numbered placard and re-photograph

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Measuring depth

32
 Excavation
At the first sign of the body, the depth must also
be documented. Paintbrushes and hands become
necessary now

TSD Training Unit 33

Excavating a burial site
Excavating a burial site
Excavating a burial site
Excavating a burial site
Excavating a burial site
Excavating a burial site
Excavating a burial site
Excavating a burial site
Excavating a burial site
Excavating a burial site
After Removal
Once the body has been removed from the
grave, document the grave showing depth,
width and length.

Excavate down another 3 – 6 inches below. Use

a metal detector to complete search.

Collect a soil sample from the dirt removed and

the area of the grave

45
Retrieved body
Retrieved body
Autopsy
Treating on Evidence
The search for evidence is started with the
visual inspection of the potential site coupled
with the use of the metal detector, sifting,
logging, sketching, photographing and
packaging, labeling and sealing of potential
exhibits.
Treating on Evidence cont’d

Potential evidence are best noticed and

documented in the grave hence attention
must be paid to each movement of the shovel
or trowel.
Treating Evidence
Treating Evidence
Treating Evidence
Treating Evidence
Treating Evidence
Treating Evidence
Treating Evidence
Treating Evidence
El final de una conferencia
 Caulquier pregunta por favor y gracias por su
tiempo
Referencia
 Forensic Magazine.
 Encyclopedia of forensic science,
 http://www.fosterfreeman.com
 Introduction to criminalistics
 Microsoft® Encarta, Microsoft Corporation