CREATE YOUR OWN MOCK SCENE!
You will need to create your own mock scene! You can do this by yourself or with ONE partner.
Set up a fake crime scene that includes different types of evidence
Include photographs of your scene
Use placards (paper or index cards) to show the different types of evidence
You will need to complete:
Photographs (at least overalls, mid range, and close up of FIVE items of evidence, and ONE room (does not need to be a whole house)
With ‘placards’ (you can use paper or index cards)
Make sure to get some overall photos in, you don’t have to get crazy!
Notes pages
A report
Photos will be uploaded to a google share drive which will also have your handwritten notes and your report. They can be taken with a cell phone camera, or a DSLR..whatever you have handy.
The notes should include:
Your name
The date
The address
Any briefing information that you would get for a read scene (victim info, suspect info, etc)
A list of the items you collected
Remember, items of evidence (collected) are NUMBERS, items of interest (such as bloodstains or shoe impressions) are LETTERS
A list of the processes you would have done and their results
A sketch of your scene
If you create a diagram using a computer program, you will get extra credit!
Your report must follow the example report that will be uploaded. You must copy it exactly, with your details added in to get full credit!
NOTES: (50 points)
Your notes for the scene are to be HANDWRITTEN and contain the following:
Date, report number, address, your name
Briefing info, such as who gave the briefing, and important info given during briefing
A sketch of the scene with (fake) measurements
Items of evidence collected and items of interest
Any processes you would have done had this been a real scene
It is LEGIBLE
Have enough content to warrant full points (one page isn’t going to cut it!)
For your notes, you will lose points if you —
Do not have the proper information in your notes (see Chapter 8)
Do not include any items of evidence
YOU NEED TO LABEL YOUR EVIDENCE! Remember, numbers = items of evidence, letters = items of interest
Do not include any processes or how to do them
Make mistakes such as mixing up numbers/letters for evidence
Have messy/incomplete notes
REPORT: (50 points)
Follow this report example in this assignment: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hvA-_H35x0EF-yO7r8ioscU2qv8fOEUJ_KbNXFkyhe8/edit?usp=sharing
For your report, you will lose points if you —
Have any information in your report that is NOT in your notes
Have an incomplete report
Chapter 1
Introduction to Crime Scene
The Players
– CSS are not first responders
– Police/fire first to arrive
– First responder must protect those on scene first,
then secure scene
EMTs
– Emergency Medical Technicians: EMTs
– One job: save lives
– Might stage before entering
Police Officers
–
Can provide aid
Must make sure the scene is secure
Job shifts depending on when they respond
If evidence can be preserved, it should
Detectives/CSSs
–
Investigating team
Usually arrive around the same time
Some are fully staffed, some respond from home
Both need to be given a briefing
Role of the Scene Detective
– Assist CSS
– Conduct scene themself
– Interviews
Info at Briefings
–
Location of crime
Type of crime
Times of 911 call, dispatch, and officer(s) responding
Names of victims, witnesses, and suspects
Victim/witness statements
Any other additional information
OME
– Office of the Medical Examiner: OME
– Aka Coroners Office
– Deceased individual is property of OME
– Need permission to move/touch body
– Medicolegal death investigator responds to scene
Medicolegal Death Investigator
– Similar jobs to CSS
– Scene = JUST the body
– Documentation of scene
– Transport body to morgue for autopsy
Forensic Pathologists
– Doctors
– In charge of autopsies
– And determining COD
– If coroners office, coroner is elected official
– Can be anyone…
Forensic Scientists
– Provides further testing on evidence collected
– Types of forensic scientists:
– Forensic biology
– Firearms
– Toxicology
– Drugs
Forensic Biology
–
Looks at serology
Deals with DNA
Blood, spittle, semen, roots of hair
Swabs
Firearms
– Test fire weapons
– Examine projectiles/casings
– NIBIN
– National integrated ballistics information
network
Toxicology
– Test blood/urine
– DUI/DWIs
Drugs
– Test unknown substances
In Situ
– Definition: latin for as found
– Important to crime scenes
– Crime scene processing is always in situ
Duty
– Duty of ANY crime scene personnel is to FIND
THE TRUTH
– Truth: a simple fact without regards to an agenda
& subjective factors
Justice
– Definition: process by which each receives his due
– Judges & juries are societys way to give justice
– Supposed to be done through facts
– Justice considers needs of:
– Victim
– Society
– Accused
– In order to be fair
The Game
– Crime scene: location in which a crime has
occurred, or where evidence from a crime is
present
– Can be actual scene, suspects apartment, body of
victim, etc
The Court
– Evidence needs to be processed somewhere
– Shipped out/stay in house
– Processed right away vs stored
The Court
– Forensic laboratories set a high standard
– Can be accredited
– ANAB, ANSI-ASQ
Chapter 2
Introduction to Evidence
Introduction
– Documenting scene is only one aspect
of crime scene processing
– Without physical evidence, no case
– Finding & collecting evidence is not
easy
– Two types of evidence
– Physical
– Testimonial
Physical Evidence
– Crime scene specialists
– Anything collected at the crime scene
– Fingerprints, DNA, weapons, etc
– Can be forensically analyzed after
collection
– Never lies
Testimonial Evidence
– Detectives/officers
– Not as concrete, but important
– Not something tangital
– Information
– Suspect/witness statements
– Dying declarations
Characterization vs Individualization
– Class characteristics: traits that put an
item of evidence into a group based off
of their features
– Examples
– Make & model of vehicle
– Size & brand of clothing
– Blood type
– Make & model of firearm
– Type of ammunition
Characterization vs Individualization
– Individual Characteristics: traits that
an item of evidence has that are unique
to that item alone
– Examples
– Social security
– Drivers license
– Wear & tear on items
– Tool markings
– Bullet striations
Characterization vs Individualization
– Individual characteristics happen as
soon as an item it bought and worn or
used
– Shoe prints & tire impressions are
always different
– Rock in shoe, wear on tires, etc
– Main goal of forensics = individual
Classified Manifestations
– Rynearson & Chisum
– The full meaning of evidence is a
function of time & the items
surroundings
– Context for evidence
– Ex – bloody fingerprints
Classified Manifestations
– Predictable effect
– Something observed & documented
correctly for preservation
– EX: body in rigor
– Unpredictable effect
– Something not predictable that
could affect evidence
– EX: weather, EMS
Classified Manifestations
– Transitory effect
– Something that is not permanent
– Fleeting from a crime scene
– First responders need to notate
– EX: cigarette burning, smells, heat of
hood of vehicle, ice in glass
– Cannot always be photographed
Classified Manifestations
– Relational Detail
– Location of an item can be most
important aspect
– EX: Gun in non-dominant hand?
Self defense vs Homicide?
Classified Manifestations
– Functional Detail
– Do items actually work?
– EX: firearms, locks on doors, air
conditioning, water temperature
Timing Aspects
– Allows to place TIME of crime
– Ex: stomach contents, riger/liver
mortis, etc
Sequencing Aspects
– Decide what ORDER the crime occurred
– Ex: bloodstain patterns, bullets in glass
Crime Scene Triangle???
Crime Scene Triangle
Integrity Issues Concerning Evidence
– Addition of material
– Destruction of material
– Movement of material
Addition of Material
– Evidence not there to begin with
– Common examples: shoe prints, DNA,
fingerprints, drinking cups
Destruction of Material
– Results in loss of items
evidentiary value
– Common examples: body in
body bag, not packaging items
correctly
Movement of Material
– Result of investigative processing
techniques
– Common examples: officers moving
weapons, EMT moving bodies, opening
of doors/turning lights on/off, etc
Photography & Collection of Evidence
– What to collect on scene?
– At what point do you become a
trash collector?
– Photography is needed in case
evidence is altered at some point
Photography & Collection of Evidence
– Seasoned crime scene specialists know
what is evidence and what is not
– Can be considered a skill
– In case you need it later
– Sometimes, photography is all you
need for a certain item
Photography & Collection of Evidence
– Bloody items: dried, then packaged in
paper or paper/plastic material
– Clothing should NOT be packaged
all in same bag, should NOT be
impounded wet
– Why?
Photography & Collection of Evidence
– Knives: packaged in boxes for safety
– Items with trace evidence: trace should
be collected BEFORE packaging
– Firearms: made safe, zip tying
Chapter 8: Narrative
Descriptions: Crime Scene Notes
and Reports
Intro
–
narrative description is under documentation
CSS has the purpose and mission of objectively identifying the condition of
entire Scene
–
–
Narrative Descriptions must be:
–
–
Which leads to recognition of events that occurred at Scene
Detailed with all pertinent facts and conditions documented
Accurate with few inferences or subjective evaluations included
Understandable, I.e. logical and organized
The report narratives are the primary document that outsiders will use to judge
the overall competency of the investigation
Investigative Notes
–
–
begins with notification of the crime identity, specific actions upon arrival, and
provide a clear and detailed record of all observations and actions taken while
on scene
Small details can be in notes that are not present in photographs
Notes are the investigators best evidence
–
–
Notes have far more detail than report
– Everything in report must be in notes, but not everything in notes has to be in report
Notes are never disposed of
–
Phoenix scans them into system before shredding
Crime Scene Report
–
–
CSS must combine all facts, observations, actions, and effort into functional
organized report
There is no right way to format report
However, must ensure report is NOT:
–
–
–
A cursory discussion of the central theme items found in the scene (eg body/blood) and nothing
more
A rambling discourse on why suspect had to have committed the crime
A description of only the evidence that fits a particular hypothesis
Phoenixs outline:
–
Response
Scene/vehicle description
Processes/results
Items of evidence/interest
Disposition
Tips for Report Writing
–
everything can be abbreviated, as long as you make the abbreviation known at
the beginning of the report. For example: Crime Scene Specialist (CSS) Janicek
–
–
Everything MUST be in past tense
–
–
–
Later can just type CSS Janicek
Even if house still exists, one must write it WAS a three bedroom/one bathroom residence
Why?
Once you put badge/identification number for person, you dont have to do it
again
Some people make templates to save time
Can include what others did at scene, but keep it to minimum info
Response
–
identify who contacted you, where scene was, who briefed you, and what crime
occurred
Time of contact and time of arrival
Response
On October 11, 2017, at approximately 0230 hours, I was contacted by Crime
Scene Shift Supervisor Kinnaman A4014. He requested that I respond to 1657
West Indian School Road in response to a Homicide investigation.
At approximately 0250 hours, I arrived at the scene. I was briefed by Sergeant
Korus #8612. After the briefing, I met with Detective Winter #8096, who
requested that I assist him with processing the scene.
Scene Description
–
length of scene description varies on type of call
Can be as simple as one bedroom/one bathroom single story home
Can be as elaborate and descriptive as a novel
Descriptions to add about scene:
–
Where front door is facing
Area of interest
How body was positioned
Blood trails
Forced entry?
Vehicle Description
–
include:
–
Make model and year, 4 door, 2 door
Condition of vehicle
– Windows down? Doors open? Dents?
Location of vehicle
– In driveway, facing west
License plate/VIN
Scene/Vehicle Description
The scene was a three bedroom, two bathroom single story residence located on the south side of Indian School
Road. The front door was facing south. The follow vehicles were located in the driveway:
2016 Red Toyota Prius, Arizona Plate #BCA678
2003 Black Lincoln Durango, California Plate #8957KDA
Both vehicles were facing north.
The victim was lying on their back on the floor in the northwest bedroom. Their head was pointed southeast. They
had an apparent gunshot wound to the head.
For additional information, see Detective Winters supplement.
Processes/Results
–
usually more lengthy section of report
Includes any processing you did on scene
Minimum usually involves # of photos taken
If processed for latents, where and how many
Chemical processes
–
–
Where you did it
Positive/negative reactions
Can now include victim information
Processes/Results
Crime Scene Specialist (CSS) Torrez A5684 took color photographs of the scene, items of evidence/interest, and the following deceased invidual:
Bradley Persimmons, born 7/5/1967
I took twelve (12) color photographs of the following individual:
Jeremiah Evans, born 4/2/1991
CSS Torrez additionally utilized black powder processing for the recovery of latent lifts. See her supplement for additional information.
I swabbed various surfaces for possible biological evidence. See evidence list for specific locations.
I sketched and measured the scene.
I assisted Detective Winter with a search of the residence and the two vehicles listed above.
I collected and packaged all items of evidence.
Items of Evidence/Interest
–
list of items impounded and their descriptions/locations
Measurements of items, if applicable
List of items of interest, if applicable
Any additional measurements done on scene
Items of Evidence
A5755 – Item #1 – one casing, headstamp FEDERAL 45 AUTO
Collected from floor near the northwest corner of the northeast bedroom
1657 West Indian School Road
A5755 – Item #2 – two wet swabs of apparent blood
Collected from desk against north wall of northeast bedroom
1657 West Indian School Road
A5755 – Item #2A – two water control swabs
1657 West Indian School Road
A5755 – Item #3 – one black Glock 19, serial number #419203, NCIC negative
Collected from floor under desk against north wall of northeast bedroom
1657 West Indian School Road
A5755 – Item #3A – one black magazine with ten (10) cartridges of unknown caliber
Collected from magazine well of item #3
1657 West Indian School Road
Items of Interest
Item A – one shoe print in apparent blood
Located on the floor in the hallway south of the northeast bedroom
1403 West x 002 South
Item B – one hand print in apparent blood
Located on the north wall of the hallway south of the northeast bedroom
1501 West x 000 South x 503 High
Additional Measurements:
Victim
Head:
Right Hand:
Left Hand:
Torso:
Right Foot:
Left Foot:
206 East x 405 South
506 East x 307 South
200 East x 300 South
207 East x 411 South
508 East x 505 South
401 East x 509 South
Disposition
–
Secure time
What happens to evidence?
Anything happen after scene?
Disposition
At approximately 0750 hours, I secured from the scene.
I secured the digital media card in locker #39 in order to be uploaded to the Digital Imaging System.
At approximately 0810 hours, I secured the items of evidence in locker #45.
On October 12, 2017, at approximately 2315 hours, I removed the items of evidence for impounding.
At approximately 2345 hours, I impounded the items of evidence in locker #17 at the Property Annex.
Chapter 7: Crime
Scene Sketching &
Mapping
Intro
–
Sketch: actual drawing of the scene
–
–
Mapping: process of taking and documenting measurements
Both serve as graphic document to show the layout, orientation, and interrelationships
of scene and evidence
Sketch supports photos & notes
–
–
Freehand, not to scale
Includes measurements of items
Allows viewer to easily and quickly comprehend interrelationships
Level of effort in sketch/mapping varies widely
–
Homicides = in depth, to scale
burglaries= basic sketch, if at all
Essential Sketch ELements
–
Sketch is rarely a work of art
–
–
Still should be graphically correct
Demonstrates where primary evidence is
General room layout & furniture placement
Sketch/diagram has 5 basic elements:
–
Heading
Diagram area
Legend
Title block
Scale & direction
Essential Sketch Elements
–
Heading: notation that indicates why the sketch was created
–
–
Diagram area: the drawing itself
Legend: tells the view what the various labels used in diagram depict
–
–
Examples – overall measurements
Can be for bloodstains/evidence
Title block: provides important info relevant to location of scene & creator of sketch
Orientation: compass (North indicator)
Scale of reference: usually put not to scale as annotation
Final sketch is prepared
–
Called diagram
Variations of View in Sketches
–
Standard is birds eye view of scene
Variations of view:
–
cross-projection/exploded sketch
Elevation sketch
3-dimensional sketch
Variations of View in Sketches
–
cross-projection/exploded sketch: standard birds eye view of horizontal surfaces of
room, but laying down wall or walls to depict evidence on vertical surfaces
–
Effective for bloodstain & bullet holes
Variations of View in Sketches
–
Elevation sketch: depicts side view of some portion of the scene, like interior wall
–
Used to map & document evidence on walls
Can help with bullet trajectory
Variation of View in Sketches
–
3 dimensional sketch: offers ability to present the crime scene info in a more realistic
perspective
–
Hand drawn to computer-created
Usually includes a computer program
Methods for Crime Scene Mapping
–
–
In order to create an accurate sketch, there must be supporting documentation that
defines the size of the scene and where various items were
Fixing evidence allows investigator to functionally place item(s) back in scene with a
level of accuracy
Common methods for mapping:
–
Rectangular coordinates
Triangulation
Baseline coordinates
Polar coordinates
Triangulation or rectangular coordinates on a grid
Triangulation on a baseline
Total station systems
Methods for Crime Scene Mapping
–
Rectangular coordinates
–
–
–
Best suited for crime scenes with clear & specific boundaries
Good for interior scenes
Measured with sonic, laser, or IR measuring devices
Phoenix = Hilti
Done by acquiring 2 measurements
North & West, South & East, etc
Done with a reference point (RP)
Con – evidence can be rotated in place
Can be less precise than triangular
Reference Point
North
5
2
3
Item #1 – 1’04” East x 8’04” South
Item #2 – 2’09” East x 3’10” South
Item #3 – 3’00” East x 3’07” South
Item #4 – 5’00” East x 5’00” South
Item #5 – 2’10” East x 1’03” South
4
10
1
10
Triangulation
Baseline Coordinates
–
Fixing items similar to rectangular
Good on exterior scenes without landmarks
Uses a datum point
–
–
A point measured from landmark into your scene
Example: measure from southeast corner of house to
designated point in large field next to house
Can be done with string or long measuring tape
Baseline Coordinates
Datum point
Landmark
2
1
3
Polar Coordinates
–
Effective with evidence that is
scattered over open exterior area
–
–
Example: airplane crash, scattered
remains, bombings
Not suited in areas with no line of sight
(wooded areas)
Done using surveying devices
Triangulation or Rectangular Coordinates on
Grid
–
Grids are effective for large-scale scenes where there are
multiple teams mapping the area with no landmarks
Additionally used for gravesites
Extremely time consuming
Triangulation on Baseline
–
Exterior scenes where evidence is not widely scattered
But no landmarks
Scan Station Mapping
–
State of the art commercial survey systems
Phoenix has the Faro
Develops 3-D images and allows evidence to be plotted in
Can be used for various types of scenes
