Scene of Crime

By: Hifajatali Sayyed

 Introduction
• A Crime Scene is the place where a particular crime has been
committed or where physical evidence of such crime is found.
• The crime scene cannot be limited to one place only. It may extend to
one or more places.
• It may also not be limited to immediate surroundings, but may extend to
a wider area depending upon the nature of crime committed.
• The scene of crime may be classified as outdoor and indoor scene.
 Importance of Scene of Crime
 A Crime Scene is a starting point for the investigator.

 Scene of occurrence provides a wealth of clue materials and other

evidence which is useful for:
• Linking the criminal, the victim and the scene of occurrence, inter se.

• Evaluating the patterns of events.

• Indicating modus operandi.

• Finding the number and nature of the weapons.

• Knowing the transport used.

• Ascertaining the routes of ingress and egress.

 Locard’s Principle of Exchange
• Dr. Edmond Locard, a criminologist observed that criminal often leave
clues on or near the scene of crime.
• He thus propounded the theory of mutual exchange, which states that
‘when two objects come into contact, there is always an exchange of
material.’ This is known as Locard’s Principle of Exchange.
• A criminal may succeed in avoiding being seen or heard at the scene,
but he cannot avoid coming in contact with his environment.
• Eg: A criminal may escape the crime scene without being noticed, but he
leaves his foot-prints behind and carries away with him some of the soil on
his shoes.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Establish the dimensions and identify potential safety:

• It is necessary for the investigating officer to establish dimensions by

locating the focal point (centre of activity).
• He also needs to observe for secondary scene.

• Another important aspect is to identify the safety of persons from any

biohazard, weapons, chemical hazards, traps etc.
• Here the investigator also needs to ensure the assistance to the victim.
• Eg: If the victim is injured than there should be quick medical assistance
given to the victim.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Preservation of Crime Scene:

• The first person arriving at the crime scene should be able to protect
the scene from curious onlookers and the family members.
• He should isolate the area of the crime by cordoning it off.

• Nothing on the scene should be touched, changed or altered until the

investigating officer takes its proper note.
• There should be entry and exit points marked specifically after
establishing boundaries to the crime scene.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Preservation of Crime Scene:

 Interference by anybody, leading to “forensic contamination” can be

avoided by simple measures :
• Controlling access to scene.

• Covering scene.

• Keeping records of everyone who has had access to a scene.

• Taking fingerprints and DNA samples from staff before they are
allowed to get to a scene.
• Providing guidance in the packaging of recovered material, to prevent
deterioration or contamination.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Preservation of Crime Scene:

• Destruction or deterioration of evidence due to environmental conditions,

such as heat, cold, rain, snow and wind call for rapid and effective
protection of biological evidence.
• Evidence that cannot be protected under these conditions should be
quickly collected without compromising its integrity.
• When encountering a combination of an indoor and outdoor scene, the
outdoor component must be process first.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Preservation of Crime Scene:
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 Recording of Crime Scene:

• After taking an immediate action to protect the crime scene, the

investigator should then proceed to record the evidence.
• But before doing so, he should seek the help of two independent reliable
witnesses, preferably from neighbourhood, as their presence will
strengthen the case of the prosecution at the time of trial.

a. Recording of notes:
• It has to be started by recording pertinent facts and details observed by
him at the crime scene.
• He needs to record the date and time of FIR.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Recording of Crime Scene:

a. Recording of notes:
• Location of crime scene and a brief description of area.

• The names of all officers, witnesses, investigators and special personnel at

the crime scene.
• The weather and lighting condition at the time of recording the crime
scene.
• The location and collection of evidence.

• The date and time of completion of recording and examination of the

crime scene.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Recording of Crime Scene:

b. Sketching the Crime Scene:

• The investigator must make a rough sketch of the crime scene. The
sketches in combination with photographs provide an ideal presentation of
the scene.
• The sketch of the scene of crime should be prepared at the site and not
at any other place.
• The distance should be measured exactly and not by approximation.

• The direction should be indicated with the help of compass.

• The sketch should show and locate important objects at the scene.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Recording of Crime Scene:

b. Sketching the Crime Scene:

 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Recording of Crime Scene:

c. Photographs of the Crime Scene:

• The crime scene should be photographed as a matter of routine.

• It is not possible for the judges to visit the scene of occurrence. Proper
photographs of the scene, however, bring the scene in the court room. A
videographic film can be highly informative.
• An investigating officer may overlook certain details. Proper photographs
of the scene make these details available to him even long afterwards.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Recording of Crime Scene:

c. Photographs of the Crime Scene:

• The photographer should take photographs before anything is disturbed,
progressively working through the scene from outside to close-up pictures.
• Many shots should be taken, from the entire scene, to medium shots to
show the relationship of evidence to the overall scene.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Recording of Crime Scene:

c. Photographs of the Crime Scene:

 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Recording of Crime Scene:

c. Photographs of the Crime Scene:

 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Recording of Crime Scene:

c. Photographs of the Crime Scene:

 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Recording of Crime Scene:

c. Photographs of the Crime Scene:

• The investigating officer may be influenced by the interested person and
examines the scene with a preconceived theory. Later certain fact lead to
different conclusions. If a video film is available, the versions can be
verified.
• 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.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Recording of Crime Scene:

c. Photographs of the Crime Scene:

• A video camera plays an important role in riot cases. It records the
identities of participants and the part played individually by them.
• The perishable evidence like wounds on a dead body, traces of
resistance, scratches and strangulation marks are best recorded and
preserved through photographs.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Search for Evidence:

• Search for clue materials requires careful and thorough examination of

the scene of occurrence. The following are the methods used for searching
the crime scene.

a) Strip Method: The whole area to be searched is blocked into a rectangle

and the searchers proceed along tracks parallel to one side of the
rectangle looking for clues. With every clue discovered, the searchers
inform the investigating officer who arranges for proper collection and
preservation of evidence.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Search for Evidence:

a) Strip Method:
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Search for Evidence:

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.
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 Search for Evidence:

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.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Search for Evidence:

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.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Search for Evidence:

• 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.
• In case of outdoor search, the combination of zone and spiral methods
is most ideal one.
• In indoor search, usually spiral method is preferred.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Search for Evidence:

• In case of vehicle, the search will depend upon the type of crime under
investigation.
• 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.
• Exterior examination should focus on the bumper, grill, dents, broken
head lights, damaged paint, under surface of mud guard, windscreen,
etc.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Search for Evidence:

• Nothing at the crime scene is insignificant.

• The investigator should bear in mind that the traces, however,

insignificant at the first appearance, may prove to be of immense value
later.
• Even the small traces must receive the closest attention of the investigator.

• Correct search of the scene for evidence is essential for proper

reconstruction of a crime.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Search for Evidence:

• The position and condition of everything at the scene must be properly

noted, namely:
• Overturned furniture, disturbed wall hangings,

• Broken doors and windows,

• Type and nature of damage to windows,

• Displaced articles,

• Position of the victim.

 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Collection and Preservation of Evidence:

• After the evidence are ascertained, it should be carefully collected as per

the prescribed guidelines and preserved.
• It is always suggested that the investigating officer must have hand
gloves to prevent the object from his fingerprint.
• Plastic bags, bottles and glass containers with proper lids or stoppers
prevent spilling or contamination.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Collection and Preservation of Evidence:

• Once the crime scene has been thoroughly documented and the locations of
the evidence noted, then the collection process can begin.
• The collection process will usually start with the collection of the most
fragile or most easily lost evidence.
• Special consideration can also be given to any evidence or objects which
need to be moved.
 Crime Scene Management and Investigation
 Collection and Preservation of Evidence:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.