1. Chapter 2.1 Notes

2. Objectives Define physical evidence. Discuss the responsibilities of the first police officer who arrives at the crime scene. Explain the steps to be taken to thoroughly record the crime scene.

3. Physical Evidence any object that can establish that a crime has been committed or can provide a link between a crime and its victim or between a crime and its perpetrator. Optimum value is when the collection is performed by someone who has a thorough knowledge of lab techniques, capabilities, limitations Must be a part of a complete investigation

4. Secure & Isolate the Crime Scene Responsibility of the first officer on the scene to preserve and protect the area Obtain medical assistance for victim or arrest perpetrator Isolate the area Everyone who enters has the potential to destroy evidence Exclude all unauthorized personnel Evaluate the area Determine boundaries of the scene Determine perpetrator’s entry and exit Document and photograph evidence and items

5. Initial Walk-through Gain an overview Develops a strategy for systematic examination and documentation Record the scene Photographs, sketches, notes Crime scene and adjacent areas

6. Photography Unaltered scene, nothing moved Photograph from all angles If evidence is moved, it should be noted indoor crime should include all wall areas Should include the body and location relative to scene

7. Photography continued Close up photos of injuries and weapons Surface area under the body after body removal All items which are taken as physical evidence measuring tapes used to show relative size Digital cameras, computers, video (particularly with narration)

8. Record the Scene Sketches Rough sketch with accurate depiction of the dimensions of the scene, location of all objects related to case Objects located by measurements from two fixed points Should have directional feature Finished sketch drawn to scale; use of CAD is a valuable tool

9. Record the Scene Notes Detailed written description of the scene Items of physical evidence are described Time an item was discovered, by whom, how and who packaged and marked it, how it looked after it was collected Tape recording or narrating a video tape (must be transcribed to written document)

10. In-Class Assignment/Homework 2.1 Review Questions