Running Head: THE CRIME SCENE SCENARIO ANALYSIS 1

Crime Scene Investigation: The Crime Scene Scenario Analysis

Lisa Ward

CRJ 622 Introduction to Forensic Science

Instructor: Todd Johnson

July 3, 2017
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Introduction

Crime Scene investigation is an integral part of any ideal crime investigation. In the

course’s text, “An introduction to crime scene investigation,” third edition, Aric W. Dutelle

critically examines and introduces crime scene investigation in various dimensions. In summary,

the focus was on Crime Scene Instigations, physical evidence, and specialized investigations.

Dutelle, A. (2016), clearly defines Crime Scene Investigation as “the term relating to the process

associated with the investigation of a criminal event. More specifically, it is the systematic

process of searching for, documenting, collecting, preserving, and interpreting physical evidence

associated with an alleged crime scene, to determine the truth relating to the event in question.

Note that this does not define the purpose of a criminal investigation, and thus the process of CSI

as the determination of guilt or innocence (Foster, 1964).

Rather, it is to document the truth. In the United States, the determination of guilt or

innocence is left up to the trier of fact, who would be a judge or magistrate in a trial by the court

or a jury of one’s peers in a trial by jury. The study of crime scene investigation, therefore,

concentrates on guidelines, concepts, and principles associated with aiding the trier of fact to

determine the truth. To accomplish this task involves techniques associated with locating,

documenting, collecting, and preserving physical evidence.” (Dutelle, 2016).

All through this course, we have explored topics in forensic science with special

emphasis on approaching, securing, and managing a crime scene; documenting, collecting, and

processing evidence; maintaining chain of custody; and presenting evidence at trial. We have

also looked at collection and analysis of fingerprints, ballistics evidence, blood, trace evidence,

tool marks, and impressions of tires and footprints. This process is critical to locating, securing,
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and analyzing physical evidence that will help solve crimes and to the admission of that evidence

in court to secure a conviction.

This paper, therefore, endeavors to put to sleep the course by critically and

chronologically analyze and discuss the crime scene scenario from week one. This final paper

will analyze the crime scene and provide a detailed, step-by-step examination from initial

discovery through the admission of evidence at trial.

Approach to the Crime Scene

In any crime scene investigation, the first responders should be the police officer, firefighters,

and emergency medical personnel who are dispatched or arrives at the potential crime scene first

(Dutelle, 2016).

Most police divisions are formally dressed more often than not uninformed, or patrol

officers and additionally criminologists or crime scene specialists to prepare a wrongdoing scene.

If the crime scene is "small," now and then the first responders on the scene the will be in charge

of taking photographs, fingerprinting, and documenting the crime scene. On bigger scenes, a

forensic analyst or agent might be brought into help. A few organizations have professional

forensic who can be called upon to prepare a scene (Foster, 1964). These specialists might be

either formally dressed or civilian personnel. There are five essential workforce parts of a

criminal crime scene examination: the first responder’s criminologist/examiner, crime scene

agent/expert, criminalist/forensic researcher, and the courts.

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Crime investigation is based on the physical evidence collected from the scene and

application of law enforcements. Forensic science uses education and instrumentation of natural

science and interpretation of all the physical evidence gathered from the site crime have taken

place. On a collection of this physical evidence, the analysis is done by the forensic scientist in

the lab and interpretation is given out for both criminal and law enforcements (Dutelle, 2016).

For the first responders, the best approach to crime the scene is to uphold the two most

crucial duties of first responders, which is to preserve life if there is a victim still at the crime

scene and secondly, securely preserve the crime scene evidence intact without any

contamination. Before entering a crime scene, a specialist on call must guarantee that he or she

has the legitimate right to do as such. A court order or other lawful right might be vital all

together for a crime scene to be appropriately entered and evidence collected. Essentially

because an officer was dispatched to an area does not mean it was fundamentally within the

department’s legal jurisdiction to approach the crime scene.

An officer must be comfortable with their doled-out area, and if uncertain of the legal

jurisdiction, such issues ought to be tended to before proceeding with an examination. While city

limits, county lines, or even nautical limits are imperceptible lines that do not block an officer's

capacity to complete his or her obligations, their legitimate significance is of central significance

inside the bounds of a court. There are various recorded situations where jurisdictional issues or

contradictions in regard to which organization ought to be required in directing a crime scene

investigation have prompt innumerable number of postponements and the dismissal of charges in

light of details not related with the crime scene examination itself. Such circumstances can be

avoided by guaranteeing that the officer is within her or his jurisdictional space and that any
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forensic agency that should be notified have been before starting a detailed crime scene

investigation.

A first responder must touch base at the scene securely if they are to have an opportunity

to perform out their essential obligations. It along these lines is incumbent upon the officer to

approach the scene in a controlled and safe way. All developments ought to be expeditious,

deliberate, and calm. While it may appear to an outsider that police race with lights and sirens to

every single call, this is in truth an uncommon occasion (Foster, 1964). A crisis reaction (lights

and sirens) is an extremely risky occasion that requires incredible ability and awareness. On the

off chance that an officer is harmed, or harms another on the way to a call, he or she invalidates

the point of the mission: to arrive securely to guarantee the wellbeing of whomever is requiring

the police response.

Some forensic agencies have particular policies for uniformed staff concerning their

obligations and duties at the crime scene. An officer ought to be acquainted with these strategies

and execute their duties and responsibilities to the best of their capacity. The obligations of the

first responder who shows up at a crime scene are the same, paying little attention to his or her

rank. The obligations are likewise the same regardless the sort of crime scene.

Documentation of Evidence

Documentation endeavors at the crime scene start the minute that an officer gets a call

and proceed until the point that the case is closed with finality of the law. This is regularly the

most tedious additionally the most imperative stride in crime scene examination. It is the

motivation behind crime scene documentation to record and safeguard the area and relationship
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of the obtained evidence, and in addition the state of the crime scene as it was the point at which

the documenter was watching it. For the motivations behind this content, there are four essential

techniques for documentation that are included in crime scene examination. The four methods

include reports making, note taking, photography and videography and finally but not least crime

scene sketching and mapping.

The final objective of crime scene documentation is to effectively note all the observation

made upon the approaching the crime scene by the first responders. The first responders will be

the best individual in the court of law to present the evidence as he found it. Hence

documentation of the crime scene is a very important activity when it comes to crime scene

investigations.

Each of these strategies is an essential piece of crime scene documentation. None is a

substitute for another. While a portion of the techniques may have all the earmarks of redundant,

this serves to verify alternate strategies, guaranteeing that nothing is neglected and that all areas

are represented. Notes and reports are not adequate without anyone else on the grounds that they

don't precisely depict the scene in detail the way photos can. Be that as it may, photos are not

adequate without anyone else's input, as they regularly require more clarification, which is the

motivation behind reports and notes.

Occasionally notes are managed into a tape or advanced recording gadget, yet sooner or

later are interpreted into a composed configuration for court purposes. Here, in this way, notes

and reports are characterized as being both sound and composed. While photos are a decent

device for archiving the visual part of a scene, nothing breathes life into the scene as much as

recording. In any case, video cannot be utilized as a part of an indistinguishable way from photos
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from a scientific forensic investigation outlook while recording physical proof. Since each kind

of record has its plac (Dutelle, 2016).

Documentation of the crime scene include the clear description of the physical location.

This incorporates recording both the general crime scene and the location of different bits of

evidence inside the scene.

It also includes documenting both the overall crime scene and the location of various

pieces of evidence within the scene. Below is an example of a police photo placard that describes

the location of the crime scene.

This incorporates recording both the general crime scene and the location of different bits

of evidence inside the scene. Chronologically at this juncture of the crime scene investigation,

the accompanying strategies ought to be done to guarantee the most exhaustive and accurate

crime scene examination:

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• Designate one individual as the proof authority/overseer (this guarantees nothing

is missed).

• Document, gather, mark, check, seal, and protect the evidence.

• Transient, delicate, or easily lost evidence ought to be gathered first.

• Package things independently.

• Properly stamp compartments and containers to avoid mix up.

• Properly seal compartments and containers

• Seals ought to be set apart with initials and date/time.

Collection of Evidence

Evidence can be of various types, general categories of evidence include: fingerprint

evidence, trace evidence, blood and biological evidence, blood pattern analysis, impression

evidence, firearms and ballistic evidence, drug evidence and lastly but not least digital evidence.

Potentially hazardous evidence

As early mentioned in this paper above, it will be pointless when the emergency

responder gets hurt/injured on the way to the crime scene or in the crime scene. Hence, it is wise

to take great precaution in the approach of crime scene areas. The criminals who committed the

crime may still be in the crime scene or there may be materials that pose potential hazardous to

the forensic investigators. Safety considerations should be top of the list to any crime scene

respondents.
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For purposes of demonstration due to the wide categories of potentially hazardous

evidence, this paper will; consider the type of evidence that should be handle in a meth forensic

laboratories. A meth lab is a laboratory where meth is manufactured. The materials used for the

manufacture of a meth lab is usually available, along with other drugs . The formulas for

preparing Meth includes the: over-counter medicines which may be pseudoephedrine or

ephedrine, combinations of unstable natural compounds such as salts, acids and bases, and the

chemical substance that are utilized to create the product meth in other forms. The production of

meth may have dangerous impacts and depending on the response of the chemical substance

utilized can result to be dangerous (Baber, & Butler, 2012). The waste created by a pound of

meth made is approximately 5 to 7 pounds and so that a noteworthy sum of squander is hurtful

because of its contamination to the aquifers and building ("Forensic Evidence and Crime Scene

Investigation", 2013). There are dangers in the meth lab crime scene when the examination is

being done.

When a substance such as lithium strips which is taken from Batteries, lamp fuel and the

essential fabric, the Pseudoephedrine it is a sign of great threats. The utilize of pop bottles makes

the scene more unsafe (Baber, & Butler, 2012). This is because the bottles are made for holding

drinks and not combustible substance, and when they detonate, they do cause a lot of serious

injuries. (Meth Lab Training for First Responders, 2012). Meth lab safety measures ought to be

taken to the later. In the case scenario, the work force exploring the crime scene are police

officers and not meth lab professionals. The first safety measure which ought to be done is

calling for the law requirement whom can handle the case (Meth Lab Training for First

Responders). The recommendation of such handling of physical evidence is recommended for

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the safety of proof for further examination. The nature of chemicals found at the scene of the

crime is delicate and so proper handling is advocated for (Dutelle, 2016, page 19).

Safety consideration at the crime scene is so vital that the specialists and other faculty require to

take safety measures. Security is looked onto due to nature of the substance that can be found on

the location and more so, to keep the immaculateness of the physical prove absent from

contamination ("Measurable Prove and Wrongdoing Scene Examination", 2013). The crime

scene in the situation given is dangerous in that there is a chemical substance which is utilized to

manufacture meth. Exposure to these chemicals may cause harm to the officers carrying

operations and so requires a specialist

Impression evidence

Impression evidence is one of the most vital forms of evidence as it can place one at the

scene of the crime. The results of the obtained during lifting of the prints using the cast were

seen to be identical to the original print (Mariotte, 2011). The analysis of the print was able to

clearly determine the shoe size as well as the make of the shoe. The walking style was also

determined all through analysis of the impression evidence

The most common types of impression evidence include footwear prints; tire prints and

marks left behind by tools. There are diverse types of impression marks that can be left on

surfaces depending on the surface itself. The prints could be two dimensions or three dimensions

dependently. Footwear and tire prints can be left on many surfaces. There are three distinct types

of prints namely, visible, latent and plastic (Smith, 2019).

During the collection of impression evidence, one has to take extra care as the evidence

may easily be damaged or cross contaminated. Two dimensional impressions can be lifted using
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a process like that of fingerprints. Powder is applied to a flat surface with the prints. However,

surfaces such as tiles and glass would need to be enhanced using chemicals and dyes. Porous

surfaces on the other hand are highly absorbent thus will require one to use lighting instead.

Three dimensional impressions are collected through the creation of a cast of the impression.

This is done using plaster of Paris or any other plaster (Bryd, 2000). Alternatively, dental stones

can be used. The cast powder is mixed with proportional amount of water and the mixture is then

poured on the impression. It is then removed to show a replica of the impression that is taken to

the lab for examination.

Once in the lab the impression evidence collected is evaluated to determine whether it

matches the existing samples collected from the victims, suspects or the crime scene. The type of

the tool, shoe manufacturer or vehicle model can be identified through analysis thus tying a

suspect to the crime scene.

Easily contaminated or compromised evidence

Some evidence is more likely to be contaminated or compromised than other. For

example, finger print evidence is the most susceptible form of evidence that has the highest

vulnerability. Others include Blood and biological evidence and bloodstain Pattern Analysis.

As a crime scene investigator, your core purpose is to protect the scene as it is and to represent

the evidence left by the suspect. Pollution and contamination of the evidence happens when

something is brought into the scene that was not beforehand there ("Forensic DNA:

Compromised Evidence | National Institute of Justice", 2017). Most contamination originates

from the general population examining the scene. Keep in mind, whenever you stroll in or out of
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the scene, you can get something or out with you. By taking a few precautions, you can maintain

a strategic distance from a ton of issues.

An integral amongst the most critical approaches to confine contamination of evidence is

by restricting access to the scene (Byrd, 2017). To start with, assess the scene. Consider what

sorts of evidence are available and the best strategy for collecting them without compromising

them. Make sense of on the off chance that you'll require extra staff or outside specialists

(Mariotte, 2011). Some evidence should be prepared rapidly and deliberately because it's

delicate. At an open-air crime scene, climate and nature move toward becoming components of

contamination. You may require a tent to ensure the crime scene is protected and maintained

private.

When you have a general arrangement set up, you can control who enters the scene.

Doing as such abatements the odds of pollution. Individuals who aren't working the scene

typically should not be there. Regularly with a noteworthy crime, an assortment of criminologists

and different authorities will need to see the scene. Be that as it may, with the accessibility of

advanced mobile phones and technology and different gadgets, they don't all should be there;

rather, you can utilize live stream recording to convey the scene to them ("Forensic DNA:

Compromised Evidence | National Institute of Justice", 2017). The crime scene investigator

should do their best to keep the quantity of individuals at the scene to as minimum as possible,

and ensure you keep a log of everybody who enters and leaves the scene. Anybody at the scene

can be subpoenaed, so a precise record is basic.

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At times, preventing contamination might be particularly troublesome. If first responders

are watching out for the casualty, their first duty is to the casualty; they are not really considering

crime scene protection. Accordingly, they may accidentally leave fingerprints, impressions, and

even DNA evidence behind ("Forensic DNA: Compromised Evidence | National Institute of

Justice", 2017). That external contamination should be accounted for. Interviewing every first

responder and get a full report of their activities while at the crime scene. Get fingerprints, shoe

print designs, DNA, and so forth, from every individual for elimination purposes.

Processing of Evidence

Crime Scene Investigation is the process that is associated with crime event investigation.

Crime Scene Investigation is carried out for documentation, collection, and interpretation of

physical evidence which relates to crime alleged. Analyzation of the investigation is done in the

forensic lab, and the result is accepted as truth (Rehling, 1957). The study of CSI focus on the

guidelines, concepts, and principles associated with fact finding of the investigation. Crime

investigation involves a lot of components which ensures that the process is successful.

The police officer is the first person to document the occurrence, and if he or she thinks

the crime is committed, then the officer must analyze the crime to a possible cause. With

complexity, it requires qualified personnel to handle the situation (Rehling, 1957). When large

scale crime has taken place, the investigators may involve detective’s personnel. The individual

who handles crime scene investigation usually includes the first respondent, detective personnel,

forensic scientist and last the case is settled in a court of law (Dutelle, 2016).
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The forensic scientist is responsible for the analysis of physical items in laboratory taken

from the scene of the crime. The process uses the latest scientific techniques and knows how to

interpret the result. The chief objective of the criminalist is to understand crime evidence and

provide a report of the result found (Dutelle, 2016, pg. 6). The foremost step in evidence

processing is to have a clear and strategic plan.

Maintenance of Chain of Custody

Building up and keeping up a chain of custody checks the integrity of the evidence. The

evidence handling groups are relied upon to keep up the chain of custody all through the

recuperation procedure. All through the examination, those in charge of protecting the chain of

custody are relied upon to:

A. Document the time of arrival and departure of other personnel at the scene.

B. Establish a standard numbering system at the scene that relates back to the location of

the remains/evidence. Ensure that the numbering system is:

1. Internally consistent and cross-referenced with other agencies

2. Expandable

3. Simple to interpret

4. Capable of indicating where the remains, personal effects, and evidence

were recovered

5. Capable of tracking remains, personal effects, and evidence throughout

the investigation
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6. Related to subsequent individual results without error

7. Integrated into all protocols and reports

C. Document the collection of evidence by recording its location at the scene and time of

collection.

D. Document all transfers of custody (including the name of the recipient and the date

and manner of transfer).

Keeping up the chain of custody by legitimately reporting, gathering, and safeguarding

the evidence guarantees its trustworthiness all through the examination.

Presentation at Trial

Evidence collected, documented, analyzed and processed is intended to ultimately prove

a claim in the court of law. That is the end purpose of crime scene investigations, to determine

legal cases. Therefore, the evidence presented in the court of law is the most vital and most

sensitive section of crime scene investigations. The “best witnesses” are the first responders who

not only have a vivid image of how the crime scene was but also have the correct and appropriate

documentation to act as solid evidence which will be accepted by both the defense and

prosecuting sections of the legal battle as evidence.

Despite how or why expert witnesses are called to testify in the trial, they should be well

equipped with evidence whose integrity is beyond reproach. They should test evidence or

assemble specialized data identified with the case (Byrd, 2017). When testing evidence, they
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should take after standard lab conventions and systems to remain objective regardless of the

investigator's personal feeling or belief on the case at hand. They should continue well ordered,

in a precise and legitimate manner, to get the test outcomes, actualities, facts, and data on which

conclusions are based.

After collecting data, the forensic investigator-in-charge of presenting the evidence

(witness) must form that data into successful reports that are composed in plain English, reflect

utilization of the logical technique and incorporate legitimate documentation. Expert witnesses

and the lawyers or courts who ask for them must cooperate to remain concentrated on the most

vital issues for the situation and to enable each other to comprehend specialized and legal terms.
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References

Baber, C., & Butler, M. (2012). Expertise in Crime Scene Examination. Human Factors, 54(3),

413-424. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0018720812440577

Byrd, M. (2000, March 2). Other Impression Evidence. Retrieved June 20, 2017, from Crime

Scene Investigator Network:

http://www.crime-scene investigator.net/otherimpressionevidence.html

Byrd, M. (2017). Written Documentation at a Crime Scene. Crime-scene-investigator.net.

Retrieved 3 July 2017, from http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/document.html

Dutelle, A. (2016). An introduction to crime scene investigation (3rd Ed.). 5 Wall Street

Burlington, MA 01803: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Forensic DNA: Compromised Evidence | National Institute of Justice. (2017). National Institute

of Justice. Retrieved 3 July 2017, from

https://www.nij.gov/topics/forensics/evidence/dna/research/pages/compromised-evidence.aspx

Forensic Evidence and Crime Scene Investigation. (2013). Journal Of Forensic Investigation,

01(02). http://dx.doi.org/10.13188/2330-0396.1000004

Foster, B. (1964). Collection of Evidence?. BMJ, 1(5384), 707-707.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.1.5384.707-b

Mariotte, J. (2011). CSI, Crime Scene Investigation. New York: Pocket Star Books.
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Rehling, C. (1957). Legal Requirements of Preserving and Processing Evidence in Arson and

Other Criminal Investigations. The Journal Of Criminal Law, Criminology, And Police Science,

48(3), 339. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1139599

Smith, M. B. (2009). Forensic Analysis of Footwear Impression Evidence. Forensic Science

Communication, 11 (3).