The Crime Scene Forensic science begins at the crime scene.

Physical Evidence Investigator must recognize and properly preserve all evidence. Physical evidence – any object(s) that can establish that a crime has been committed OR can provide a link between a crime and its victim OR a crime and its perpetrator.

"Golden Rule" of Crime Scene Investigation/Management: "Never touch, change, or alter anything until it has been documented, identified, measured, and photographed . . . when a body or article has been moved, it can never be restored to its original position.“

1. Secure and isolate the crime scene 2. Record the crime scene 3. Conduct a systematic search for evidence. 4. Collect and package the evidence. 5. Maintain a chain of custody. 6. Obtain controls 7. Submit all evidence to forensic laboratory. Preserve and protect the area. Every person is a potential destroyer of evidence./Determine boundaries/point of entry and exit/systematic examination and documentation of crime scene. Limited time to work the scene/photography-objects not moved and photos from all angles. Photo under a body. Establish size. Use of digital cameras and video camera…can be enhanced//Sketches-rough sketch and finished sketch (CAD software)//notes-location,time,who and when discovered, who packaged and handles. Spiral//grid//strip or line//quadrant or zone. Look for “possible carriers of evidence”. Accordance with appropriate search and seizure protocols with Fourth Ammendment Priviledges//package each item separately.//blood stained material//charred debris//see Appendix 1 packaging of different types of evidence. Continuity of possession MUST be established//collectors initials and date of collection. Materials from victim//different paint samples Postal regs restrict chemicals, live ammunition, explosives//personal delivery.

Secure and protect the scene. To "secure" is to close access. To "protect" is to deny access.

1. Secure and isolate the crime scene 2. Record the crime scene 3. Conduct a systematic search for evidence. 4. Collect and package the evidence. 5. Maintain a chain of custody. 6. Obtain controls 7. Submit all evidence to forensic laboratory. Preserve and protect the area. Every person is a potential destroyer of evidence./Determine boundaries/point of entry and exit/systematic examination and documentation of crime scene. Limited time to work the scene/photography-objects not moved and photos from all angles. Photo under a body. Establish size. Use of digital cameras and video camera…can be enhanced//Sketches-rough sketch and finished sketch (CAD software)//notes-location,time,who and when discovered, who packaged and handles. Spiral//grid//strip or line//quadrant or zone. Look for “possible carriers of evidence”. Accordance with appropriate search and seizure protocols with Fourth Ammendment Priviledges//package each item separately.//blood stained material//charred debris//see Appendix 1 packaging of different types of evidence. Continuity of possession MUST be established//collectors initials and date of collection. Materials from victim//different paint samples Postal regs restrict chemicals, live ammunition, explosives//personal delivery.

Notes Record narrative description of the scene. Notes - keep forever. Audiotape – use new tape, maintain tape in chain of custody as evidence, transcribe. Videotape (sight/sound) - "hears all, sees all," disconnect sound.

Photographs

1. Secure and isolate the crime scene 2. Record the crime scene 3. Conduct a systematic search for evidence. 4. Collect and package the evidence. 5. Maintain a chain of custody. 6. Obtain controls 7. Submit all evidence to forensic laboratory. Preserve and protect the area. Every person is a potential destroyer of evidence./Determine boundaries/point of entry and exit/systematic examination and documentation of crime scene. Limited time to work the scene/photography-objects not moved and photos from all angles. Photo under a body. Establish size. Use of digital cameras and video camera…can be enhanced//Sketches-rough sketch and finished sketch (CAD software)//notes-location,time,who and when discovered, who packaged and handles. Spiral//grid//strip or line//quadrant or zone. Look for “possible carriers of evidence”. Accordance with appropriate search and seizure protocols with Fourth Ammendment Priviledges//package each item separately.//blood stained material//charred debris//see Appendix 1 packaging of different types of evidence. Continuity of possession MUST be established//collectors initials and date of collection. Materials from victim//different paint samples Postal regs restrict chemicals, live ammunition, explosives//personal delivery.

Systematic Search

1. Secure and isolate the crime scene 2. Record the crime scene 3. Conduct a systematic search for evidence. 4. Collect and package the evidence. 5. Maintain a chain of custody. 6. Obtain controls 7. Submit all evidence to forensic laboratory. Preserve and protect the area. Every person is a potential destroyer of evidence./Determine boundaries/point of entry and exit/systematic examination and documentation of crime scene. Limited time to work the scene/photography-objects not moved and photos from all angles. Photo under a body. Establish size. Use of digital cameras and video camera…can be enhanced//Sketches-rough sketch and finished sketch (CAD software)//notes-location,time,who and when discovered, who packaged and handles. Spiral//grid//strip or line//quadrant or zone. Look for “possible carriers of evidence”. Accordance with appropriate search and seizure protocols with Fourth Ammendment Priviledges//package each item separately.//blood stained material//charred debris//see Appendix 1 packaging of different types of evidence. Continuity of possession MUST be established//collectors initials and date of collection. Materials from victim//different paint samples Postal regs restrict chemicals, live ammunition, explosives//personal delivery.

Record, collect, mark, and preserve evidence. Collection of one type may destroy another type.

1. Secure and isolate the crime scene 2. Record the crime scene 3. Conduct a systematic search for evidence. 4. Collect and package the evidence. 5. Maintain a chain of custody. 6. Obtain controls 7. Submit all evidence to forensic laboratory. Preserve and protect the area. Every person is a potential destroyer of evidence./Determine boundaries/point of entry and exit/systematic examination and documentation of crime scene. Limited time to work the scene/photography-objects not moved and photos from all angles. Photo under a body. Establish size. Use of digital cameras and video camera…can be enhanced//Sketches-rough sketch and finished sketch (CAD software)//notes-location,time,who and when discovered, who packaged and handles. Spiral//grid//strip or line//quadrant or zone. Look for “possible carriers of evidence”. Accordance with appropriate search and seizure protocols with Fourth Ammendment Priviledges//package each item separately.//blood stained material//charred debris//see Appendix 1 packaging of different types of evidence. Continuity of possession MUST be established//collectors initials and date of collection. Materials from victim//different paint samples Postal regs restrict chemicals, live ammunition, explosives//personal delivery.

Forensic Laboratory

1. Secure and isolate the crime scene 2. Record the crime scene 3. Conduct a systematic search for evidence. 4. Collect and package the evidence. 5. Maintain a chain of custody. 6. Obtain controls 7. Submit all evidence to forensic laboratory. Preserve and protect the area. Every person is a potential destroyer of evidence./Determine boundaries/point of entry and exit/systematic examination and documentation of crime scene. Limited time to work the scene/photography-objects not moved and photos from all angles. Photo under a body. Establish size. Use of digital cameras and video camera…can be enhanced//Sketches-rough sketch and finished sketch (CAD software)//notes-location,time,who and when discovered, who packaged and handles. Spiral//grid//strip or line//quadrant or zone. Look for “possible carriers of evidence”. Accordance with appropriate search and seizure protocols with Fourth Ammendment Priviledges//package each item separately.//blood stained material//charred debris//see Appendix 1 packaging of different types of evidence. Continuity of possession MUST be established//collectors initials and date of collection. Materials from victim//different paint samples Postal regs restrict chemicals, live ammunition, explosives//personal delivery.