SITUATION Scene is secure Preliminary photography complete Rough sketch made Search method decided Assignments made Search ready to begin

CRIME SCENE SEARCH After scene has been secured and recorded

THE SEARCH To obtain physical evidence Not confined to area of crime itself ◦ May include approach and line of flight Definite plans must be made Must know what to look for and where

THE SEARCH Physical evidence may ◦ Determine facts of crime ◦ Identify the criminal ◦ Aid in the arrest and conviction of the criminal

THE SEARCH Must be undertaken with determination and alertness No room for defeatist attitude No room for light-hearted attitude May be unpleasant Insignificant items may prove very important

CRIME SCENE SEARCH Must be thorough and systematic How to search depends on several factors (locale, size, actions of persons) One person should be in control What to search for determined by crime As general rule fragile items first

SEARCH Systematic search of scene conducted Type of search pattern may depend on scene Be careful not to destroy evidence while searching (walking about) Night time searches problem (put off till day if possible)

search Types of searches ◦ Spiral ◦ Strip ◦ Grid ◦ Zone Be organized – Search everything

THE SEARCH Search method must support what the search is intended to accomplish: A comprehensive accumulation within a reasonable period of time of all available physical evidence Should economize on movement and avoid unnecessary disturbance

GENERAL METHODS Evidence that is being significantly deteriorated by time or elements has first priority Major items are collected in order that is most logical When deceased individual process area between entry and body

General Methods After processing obvious search for trace material before dusting After trace removed process for latents Elimination prints and evidence standards are collected last

OUTDOOR SCENES Nature of site will influence types of materials collected Fingerprints less frequent Recording more difficuld due to fewer reference points Consider route to be taken to focal point

OUTDOOR SCENES Almost all evidence on ground (easy to overlook or step on Approach from route least likely to have been used by suspect ◦ Examine vegetation for damage Area under body should be given attention

OUTDOOR SCENES Careful search for tire or foot impressions Soil samples collected from area of impressions Broken limbs or twigs should be examined carefully (trace) Is blood or semen suspected to be mixed with soil

VEHICLE SEARCHES Carefully planned Nature of case will dictate details Hit-and-run cases outside and undercarriage examined carefully Homicide and other all areas of vehicle should be considered

VEHICLE SEARCHES Exterior searched first Look for broken or damaged areas Cloth impressions Trace (hair, fiber, fabric) clinging to car Last on outside fingerprint

VEHICLE SEARCH Interior of vehicle ◦ Generally divided into five major areas  Rt front, Lt front, rt back, lt back, back deck) ◦ May divide floor from seat from instrument ◦ Vacuum floor areas first ◦ Seats swept next ◦ Fingerprint interior next

VEHICLE SEARCH Interior ◦ Search for hidden items inside vehicle  Drugs, weapons, loot ◦ Trunk searched same way as interior  (swept, fingerprints, hidden items) ◦ Under hood (usually not productive)  Could have concealed tools, weapons, or drugs)

SEARCH OF VICTIM Usually very limited May be only observation of dress If injured collection may be at hospital If deceased collection at medical examiners office

EQUIPMENT NEEDED Flashlight Containers Waterproof pens Metal Scribe Razor Blades Gloves Tweezers

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS Fourth Amendment ◦ The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizure, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or thing to be seized

LEGAL Warrantless Search ◦ Emergency Circumstances ◦ Need to prevent immediate loss or destruction of evidence ◦ Incident to a lawful arrest ◦ Consent search

LEGAL Supreme court addressed issue of warrantless searches at crime scene 1978 Two cases ◦ Mincey v. Arizona  Homicide ◦ Michigan v. Tyler  Arson

Mincy v. Arizona Four day search at homicide scene Undercover police officer killed after forcing entry into house to buy drugs Police raided and spent four days searching (bullets, drugs, paraphernalia)

Mincy v. Arizona Mincy convicted Appealed – evidence gathered without warrant or consent Court unanimously upheld Mincy’s position

Mincy v. Arizona Police may make warrantless entry to homicide scene to see if other victims or suspect still on premises No exigent circumstances No indication evidence would be lost or destroyed

Mincy v. Arizona Police had a guard at apartment Warrant could have been easily and conveniently obtained Seriousness of the offence does not create exigent circumstances

Michigan v. Tyler Business destroyed by fire Fire extinguished in early morning Smoke, steam and darkness prevented examination of scene Building left unattended until 8:00 am

Michigan v. Tyler Officials returned at 8:00 am and searched and removed evidence Returned 4, 7, and 25 days later, searched and removed evidence Each search without warrant or consent

Michigan v. Tyler Tyler convicted of arson Court reversed conviction Initial search proper but additional entries inadmissible

LEGAL Message of Supreme Court ◦ When time and circumstances permit - obtain a search warrant.

EVIDENCE DEPOSITORIES PHYSICALLY SECURE CAPACITY LARGE ENOUGH SHELVES TO ALLOW FOR SEPARATION