Crime scene management

It includes all the steps to manage the crime scene from initial response too collection of evidence.
Forensic Science, Criminalistics

1. CRIME SCENE MANAGEMENT
By Shreyas Patel
Not all physical evidence arises from crime scenes, but all crime
scenes create physical evidence…!!!

2. DEFINING THE CRIME SCENE
•A place when Crime was occurred.
•Any place can become a crime scene.
•A crime scene may be in a car, in a home, or even under water.
•Each crime scene is unique because the chain of events that create it is
unique, but there are some unifying themes that dictate how a crime scene
is studied and processed.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF THE CRIME
SCENE
❖Primary Crime Scene
-thesiteoftheoriginalorfirst
criminalactivityastheprimarycrime
scene
❖Secondary Crime Scene
-anysubsequentcrimescenes
relatedtoprimarycrimescene
-aplacewhereevidencecollected
relatedtoprimarycrimescene
❖Example :-if a person is killed in an
apartment and the body is then
moved in a car trunk to a remote
dump site, the apartment is the
primary scene while the car and
the dump site are secondary crime
scenes.

4. CLASSIFICATION OF THE CRIME
SCENE
❑Using this classification, a single macroscopic crime
scene such as a house may actually be composed of
many smaller or microscopic crime scenes.
❑For example, a gunshot victim's body dumped in a
field represents the following crime scenes within the
overall crime scene of the field: the body, the body's
wounds, and the ground around the body.
❑The microscopic classification of the scene is more
focused on the specific types of physical evidence
found in the macroscopic crime scenes.
❑Using the previous example, the
microscopic crime scenes are
the trace evidence on the body,
the gunshot residue around the
wound, and the tire tread marks
in the ground next to the body.

5. 1.RECOGNITION
2.IDENTIFICATION 3.INDIVIDUALIZATION
4.RECONSTRUCTION
•Scene Survey
•Documentation
•Collection &
Preservation
•Comparison
Testing
•Evaluation
•Interpretation
•Reporting &
Presentation
Steps to the scientific
examination of a
crime scene

6. INITIAL RESPONSE TO CRIME SCENE
•The initial response to an incident should be expeditious and methodical.
•Policy: The initial responding officer (s), upon arrival, shall assess the scene and treat the incident as a crime
scene. They shall promptly, yet cautiously, approach and enter the crime scene, remaining observant of any
persons, vehicles, events, potential evidence and environmental conditions.
•The initial responding officer(s) should:
A.Note or log dispatch information (e.g., address/location, time, date, type of call, parties involved).
B.Be aware of any persons or vehicles leaving the crime scene.
C.Approach the scene cautiously, scan the entire area to thoroughly assess the scene, and note any possible
secondary crime scenes.
D.Be aware of any persons and vehicles in the vicinity that may be related to the crime.
E.Make initial observations (look, listen, smell) to assess the scene and ensure officer safety before proceeding.
F.Remain alert and attentive. Assume the crime is ongoing until determined to be otherwise.
G.Treat the location as a crime scene until assessed and determined to be otherwise.
H.Safely direct additional responding units into the area.

7. ROLE OF FIRST RESPONDING
OFFICER
The duties of first responders include the following:
•Assist the victim.
•prevent any changes to the victim.
•Search for and arrest the suspect if that person is still on the scene.
•Detain any witnesses. If possible, keep the witnesses separated to preserve their
objectivity. Do not take them back to the scene if at all possible.
•Protect and secure the crime scene. Begin taking crime scene security measures by
using barrier tape, official vehicles, or other means, as required.
•Establish a crime scene security log to record any persons who enter or exit the crime
scene and limit access to those who truly need it. This helps prevent contamination of
the scene with materials brought in after the crime has occurred.
•Document all movements, alterations, or changes made to the crime scene and pass
this information to crime scene investigators.

8. SECURE THE CRIME SCENE
a.Establishboundariesofthescene(s),startingatthefocalpointandextendingoutwardto
include:
•Wherethecrimeoccurred.
•Potentialpointsandpathsofexitandentryofsuspectsandwitnesses.
•Placeswherethevictim/evidencemayhavebeenmoved
(beawareoftraceandimpressionevidencewhileassessingthescene).
b.Securethescene.Setupphysicalbarriers(e.g.,ropes,cones,crimescenebarriertape,
availablevehicles,personnel,otherequipment)oruseexistingboundaries(e.g.,doors,walls,
gates).
c.Documenttheentry/exitofallpeopleenteringandleavingthescene,onceboundaries
havebeenestablished.
d.Protectthescene.Controltheflowofpersonnelandanimalsenteringandleavingthe
scenetomaintainintegrityofthescene.
e.Institutemeasurestopreserve/protectevidencethatmaybelostorcompromised(e.g.,
protectfromtheelements(rain,snow,wind)andfromfootsteps,tiretracks,sprinklers).
f.Documenttheoriginallocationofthevictimoranyobjectsthatyouobservebeingmoved.
g.Considersearchandseizureissuestodeterminethenecessityofobtainingconsentto
searchand/orobtainingasearchwarrant.

9. ROLE OF INVESTIGATING OFFICER
•Converse with the first responder(s) regarding observations/activities
•Evaluate safety issues that may affect all personnel entering the scene(s) (e.g.,
blood-borne pathogens , hazards).
•Evaluate search and seizure issues to determine the necessity of obtaining consent
to search and/or obtain a search warrant.
•Evaluate and establish a path of entry/exit to the scene to be utilized by authorized
personnel.
•Evaluate initial scene boundaries .
•Determine the number/size of scene(s) and prioritize.
•Establish a secure area within close proximity to the scene(s) for the purpose of
consultation and equipment staging.
•If multiple scenes exist, establish and maintain communication with personnel at
those locations

10. ROLE OF INVESTIGATING OFFICER
•Establish a secure area for temporary evidence storage in accordance with
rules of evidence/chain of custody .
•Determine and request additional investigative resources as required (e.g.,
personnel/specialized units, legal consultation/ prosecutors, equipment).
•Ensure continued scene integrity (e.g., document entry/exit of authorized
personnel, prevent unauthorized access to the scene).
•Ensure that witnesses to the incident are identified and separated (e.g.,
obtain valid ID).
•Ensure the surrounding area is canvassed and the results are documented.
•Ensure preliminary documentation /photography of the scene, injured
persons and vehicles.

11. SAFETY FOR CRIME SCENE
INVESTIGATOR
•Crime scene personnel wear a minimum of latex gloves (double gloved)&
protectiveshoecovers.
•The useofaparticlemas/respirator,goggles,orfaceshieldisrecommended
inaddition to the minimum protective items when potentially infectious dust
or mist are present.
•When processing or collecting evidences , Personnel shouldbealerttosharp
objects,knives,hypodermicsyringes, razor blades, and similar items.
•Personnel should maintain a red biohazard plastic bag for the disposal of
contaminated gloves, clothing, masks, pencils, wrapping paper and so on.
•All non-disposable items such as overalls or lab coats should be removed
and placed in properly marked linen bags for laundering by an appropriate
service.

12. CRIME SCENE DOCUMENTATION
•Thepurposeofcrimescenedocumentationistopermanentlyrecordthe
conditionofthecrimesceneanditsphysicalevidence.Itisthemosttime-
consumingactivityatthesceneandrequirestheinvestigatortostay
organizedandsystematic.Problem-solvingskills,innovation,andoriginality
willalsobeneeded.Thefourmajortasksofdocumentationare:
(1) note taking, (2) videography, (3) photography, and (4) sketching.
•Allfourarenecessaryandnoneisanadequatesubstituteforanother;for
example,notesarenotsubstitutesforphotographyandvideoisnota
substituteforsketching.Eachtoolmustbeappliedwhenandwhereneeded
togiveascompletearecordaspossible.

13. (1) NOTE TAKING
Effectivenotesaspartofacrimesceneinvestigationserveasawrittenrecordofallofthe
crimesceneactivities.Thenotesaretakenastheactivitiesaredonesotheyarenotsubjectto
memorylossatalatertime.Ageneralguidelinefornotetakingistoconsiderthe“W's”(who,
what,when,where,andwhy),inadditiontothefollowing:•Notificationinformation—Notethe
dateandtime,methodofnotification,andinformationreceived.
•Arrivalinformation—Notethemeansoftransportation,dateandtime,personnelpresentat
thescene,andanynotificationstobemade.
•Scenedescription—Notetheweather,locationtypeandcondition,majorstructures,
identificationoftransientandconditionalevidence,containersholdingevidenceofrecent
activities(ashtrays,trashcans,etc.),clothing,furniture,andanyweaponspresent.
•Victimdescription—Inmostjurisdictions,thebodyshouldneverbemovedordisturbeduntil
themedicalexaminerhasgivenapproval.Oncegivenpermission,thennotevictimposition,
wounds,clothing,jewelry,oridentification(itspresenceorabsence).
•Crimesceneteam—Noteassignmentstoteammembers,walk-throughinformation,
beginningandendingtimes,andevidencehandlingresults.
Accurate crime scene note taking is crucial at the initial crime scene investigation, but it is also
essential for any subsequent investigations that may follow.

14. (2) VIDEOGRAPHY
Videorecording(videography)ofthecrimescenehasbecomearoutineprocedureforcrime
scenedocumentation.Itsacceptanceiswidespreadduetoitsabilitytoprovideavirtual
imageofthesceneandtheincreasedavailabilityofaffordableequipmentwithuser-friendly
featuressuchasDVDrecording.
•Thefollowingsummarizestheprocessthatshouldbefollowedforeffectivevideotapingof
crimescenes:
•Documenttherecordingbyuseofaplacardthatincludesthecasenumber,dateandtime,
location,andvideographer'sname.
•Beginwiththescenesurroundings.Includeroadstoandfromthescenebeforetapingthe
generalviewsofthesceneitself;usethefourcompasspointsasaguide.
•Provideageneralorientationofthescene.Videotapetheorientationofitemsofevidencein
relationtotheoverallscene;wide-angleviewsareespeciallyuseful.Donotjumpfromone
locationtoanother;instead,useasmoothtransitionthatencompassestheoveralllocations
ofevidence.

15. (2) VIDEOGRAPHY
•Recordthevictim'sviewpoint.Movetoasafelocationnearthevictimandrecordthe
fourcompasspointsviewedawayfromthevictim.
•Cameratechniqueshouldincludesmoothmovements;useatripodormonopodif
possible.Useadditionallightingforallinteriorscenes(mostcamcordershavelow-light
automaticaperturecorrectionsbutadditionallightingissuggested).Once
videotapinghasbeencompleted,reviewitonthesceneandreshootthesceneas
needed.
•Theoriginalvideosareevidenceandshouldnotbeeditedorchanged;makecopies
whenneeded.
Videorecordingofcrimescenesisavaluabletoolforprovidinganoverall,accurate
impressionofthecrimescenethatoftencannotbeaccomplishedbytheother
documentationtasks;however,itisneveranadequatesubstituteforanyoftheother
tasks.

16. (3) PHOTOGRAPHY
•Photographthethemostfragileareaofthecrimescenefirst.
•Photographallstagesofthecrimesceneinvestigationincludingdiscoveries.
•Photographaretheevidenceindetailandincludeascale,thephotographer’sinitialsand
thedate.
•Photographtheinteriorcrimesceneinanoverallandoverlappingseriesusingawideangle
lens.
•Photographimportantevidencetwice.
•Amediumdistancephotographthatshowstheevidenceanditspositiontootherevidence
•Acloseupphotographthatincludesascaleandfillstheframe.
•Thefollowingisthebasicequipmentneededforphotographicdocumentationof
crimescene:
1.Camera (35 mm is the most common type) 2.Normal lens (50 to 60 mm)
3.Wide angle lens (28 to 35 mm) 4.Electronic flash with cord
5.Tripod

17. (4) SKETCHING
•Sketchingacrimesceneistheassignmentofunitsofmeasurementor
correctperspectivetotheoverallscreenandthe
•relevantphysicalevidenceidentifiedwithinthescene.Sketchingacrime
scenenotdifficult,butitrequiressomeorganizationandplanningbythe
investigator.TherearetwotypesofSketchofthecrimescenes:Rough
sketchesandFinishedorfinalsketches.Threetechniquecanbeusedto
obtainmeasurementsforthecrimescenesketch:
1.Triangulation
2.Baseline(fixedline)
3.Polarco-ordinators

18. N

20. CRIME SCENE SEARCHING
METHODS
•After completion of the crime scene documentation and intensive search of
the scene for physical evidence, the collection and preservation of the
evidence can begin.
•There are some methods from crime scene searching are as follows:
1.Linkmethod 2.Line/stripmethod
3.Gridmethod 4.Zonemethod
5.Wheel/Raymethod 6.Spiralmethod

23. THE GOLDEN RULES FOR
SEARCHING
•Three Golden Rules to maximize the recovery of evidence :
1)Searchareashouldbedeterminedtomaximize concentration. Each area
should no more than 20-40 minutes to search.
2)Breaksshouldbetakenaftereachsearch.(at least 10 mins)
3)Searchthesamearea twicesothatnothingisoverlooked.

24. COLLECTION AND PACKAGING OF
EVIDENCE
•Forceps and similar tools may have to be used to pick up small items.
•Unbreakable plastic pill bottles with pressure lids are excellent container for
hairs, glass, fibres and other kinds of trace evidence.
•Most items of evidence at a crime scene will be packaged in a primary
container that is placed inside a secondary container.
•Druggist’s foldsare especially well suited as a primary containers for trace
evidence collection and packaging.
•These folds are then placed inside outer containers such as envelopes,
packets, canisters, paper and plastic bags.

25. CHAIN OF CUSTODY
•It is a list of all persons who came into possession of an item of evidence.
•The chain of custody, must be established whenever evidence is presented
in court.
•Adherence to standard procedures in recording its location, marking it for
identification, and properly completing evidence submission forms for
laboratory analysis is critical.
•Every person who handled the evidence and where it was at all time must
be documented.

26. CRIME SCENE
RECONSTRUCTION
•Crime scene reconstruction is the process of determining or
eliminating the events that could have occurred at the
crime scene by analysis of the crime scene appearance,
location and position of the physical evidence, and forensic
laboratory examination of the physical evidence.
•It involves scientific crime scene investigation, interpretation
of the scene's pattern of evidence, laboratory testing of the
physical evidence, systematic study of related case
information, and logical formulation of potential scenarios
that could produce the evidence at the scene.
•Crime scene reconstruction is based on observation,
scientific experimentation, and relevant past experiences of
the investigator. Its steps and stages, like those in forensic
science, follow basic scientific principles, theory formulation,
and logical methodology.
•Reconstruction incorporates investigative information with
physical evidence analysis and interpretation and molds
them into a reasonable explanation of the criminal activity
and its related events.

27. ROLE OF POLICE
•Investigate the Case.
•Arrest the Suspect.
•Collect the evidences.
•Keep the peace.
•Prevent the crime.
•Provide social services.
•Maintain public order.
•Protect rights/freedoms of individuals.
•Apprehend offenders.
•It is his/her duty to prevent all the courts.

28. JUDICIARY SYSTEM
•In India , the Supreme Court is the highest authority of the judiciary.
❑Components Of Court

29. ROLE OF JUDICIARY
❖The Judiciary in India performs various
important role and functions which do
not remain confined within the traditional
jurisdiction of Civil and Criminal:
•Prevention of violation of law
•Making of the new law
•Decides on constitutional questions
•Interprets the Constitution and Laws
•Administrative functions
•Advisory function
•Protection of fundamental rights
•Guardian of the Constitution
❖The importance of the Judiciary:
The importance of the judiciary in a
democratic society can hardly be
exaggerated. Judiciary is a part of the
democratic process. Judiciary not only
administers justice, it protects the rights of the
citizens and it acts as the interpreter and
guardian of the Constitution. In many states,
the judiciary enjoys the power of judicial review
by virtue of which the judiciary decides the
constitutional validity of the laws enacted or of
the decree issued. It can invalidate such laws
and decrees which are not constitutional.

30. ROLE OF FIRE BRIGADE
•Promote fire safety
•Fighting fires and protecting people and property from fires.
•Rescuing people from road traffic accidents.
•Dealing with other specific emergencies, such as flooding or terrorist
attack
•Prevention of fire
•Provide emergency medical

31. ROLE OF MEDICO-LEGAL OFFICER
•Identification of the death crime scene and whether it is genuine or fake.
•Identification of unknown death bodies, it’s age, race, community, sex,
height, structure, etc.
•Injuries on body, nature of weapon involved, caused by defensive, offensive
act or self-inflected.
•Evaluation of injuries and wounds.
•To establish cause of death, mode of death, time of death, and manner of
death.
•To decide, the death is suicidal, homicidal, accidental or natural.
•To collection of bloodstain, seminal stains, nail scarping, body fluids, etc.
•Preservation of trachea for carbon sootsand tibia or femur bone for diatom
examination.

32. ROLE OF MEDICO-LEGAL OFFICER
•To provide symptoms of poisoning and nature of poison consumed by the
deceased.
•Collection of blood for DNA and blood grouping, hair as specimen samples.
•To establish linkage between human organ whether belongs to the same
individual.

33. OTHER FORENSIC EXPERTS
AND THEIR ROLE
1.Explosive Expert
2.Fingerprint Expert
3.Ballistic Expert
4.Photography Expert
5.Dog Squads
6.Document Expert
7.Forensic Psychologist
8.Computer Specialist

34. ROLE OF EXPLOSIVE EXPERT
•Type and mechanism of Live bomb.
•Handling a live bomb at crime scene.
•Diffusion of a live bomb as per standard measures.
•To determine the type of explosive material used in device.
•To ascertain effectiveness and fatal intensity of bomb.
•To know the source and manufacturing process of the device and whether
prepared by a skilled person or non-skilled person.
•To find out nature and type of residue materials of an explosives.

35. ROLE OF FINGERPRINT EXPERT
•Search of possible fingerprints on doors, windows, tables, utensils,
glasses, car, etc.
•To develop and make latent fingerprints visible.
•To get photograph with proper scale and marking.
•Lifting of developed fingerprints from immovable objects.
•Comparison of fingerprints taken from the crime scene witsearching for
drugs and explosives, searching for drugs and explosives, searching for
drugs and explosives,vh suspect’s fingerprints.
•To maintain fingerprints record with appropriate classification.

36. ROLE OF BALLISTIC EXPERT
•Identification of firearms and its working.
•Calibre of firearm, cartridge, bullet, pellet, wad, etc.
•Identification of firearm shooter through gunshot residues.
•Distance and angle of fire.
•Establish of gunshot injuries, wound of entry and exit.
•To locate the projectiles scattered at the crime scene.
•To decide the case as a homicide, suicide or an accident.

37. ROLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERT
•To make complete and accurate record pf the crime scene.
•To establish exact location of various object including the dead body at the
crime scene.
•Searching of micro traces and hidden evidences with the help of UV, IR
photographic techniques.
•Photography and videography during post-mortem of the dead body.
•To prepare photographic evidence such as fingerprints, footprints, tyre
marks, shoe prints, tool marks, etc.
•Closeup photography of wounds and injuries such as entry wound of bullet
with marks such as burning, blackening, singeing, etc.
•To record evidences found on body.
•Recordings of activities of criminals during crime in action such as riots,
demonstration, arson, etc.

38. ROLE OF DOG SQUAD
•The dog's active sense of smell, sight and hearing have a decisive
advantage over the human agencies and are put to use for assisting the
Police in a variety of investigations and search operations. Dogs could be
used with substantial success in tracking the criminals after a crime has been
committed and in searching premises to locate criminals. Dogs could be
used for recovering articles stolen, searching of missing persons and for
patrolling, Explosives and Narcotic detection and VIP and VVIP security.
•searching for drugs and explosives.
•locating missing people.
•finding crime scene evidence.
•attacking people targeted by the police.
•InIndia, theNational Security Guardinducted the Belgian Malinois into its K-9
Unit,Border Security ForceandCentral Reserve Police
ForceuseRajapalayamas guard dogs to support the Force in the borders
ofKashmir. TheDelhi Policehas recruited many of the city'sstreet dogsto be
trained for security purposes.