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Criminal Justice Crime Scene Investigation Definition: Meticulous preservation of physical evidence at specific locations by use of photographs, sketches, and collection and preservation of crime-related evidence. Criminal Justice Issues: Evidence and forensics; investigation; technology. Significance: Securing the crime scene and meticulously protecting evidence contributes to successful prosecution. Crime scene procedures allow proper coordination among investigators, scientific laboratory personnel, and prosecutors; interagency cooperation is essential to exoneration of the innocent and conviction of the guilty. The primary objectives of the first responding officers at a crime scene are to arrive safely and render aid to crime victims. The officers' next immediate task is to isolate, contain, and preserve the crime scene. Officers use barriers to create an exclusion zone and prevent unauthorized access. In most cases, the responding officers conducting the preliminary investigation releases the crime scene to the follow-up investigators and the Crime Scene Investigation unit (CSI). The ultimate purpose of crime scene investigation is to maintain proper care, custody, and control of evidence. Well-delineated procedures result in competent, material, and reliable evidence for presentation in a criminal trial. Crime Scene Coordination Lead investigators coordinate logistical resources for crime scene investigation. Requests for technical CSI unit services--crime scene processing and a mobile crime laboratory--require approval of the senior investigator. CSI technicians process the crime scene; they do not conduct follow-up investigations or arrest suspects. The media, however, portray CSI roles inaccurately. The CSI's primary role is to record the crime scene, including photographing it, and collect evidence. The CSI evidence team coordinates with forensic laboratory scientists and investigators. In smaller agencies with limited resources, state police or the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) may assist local officers with the follow-up investigation. The lead follow-up investigator establishes a systematic search plan at the crime scene. Officers estimate boundary determinations; inner and outer crime boundaries divide the scene. The investigator attempts to identify potential offender routes. For example, in a homicide, the inner crime scene might include the victim's home and immediate property. The outer crime scene may include several blocks or open fields. A wounded criminal may provide a travel pattern of blood trace evidence from the bedroom window, back yard, and to a specific vehicle. The vehicle, once traced to another location, may provide additional evidence. Additional locations to be investigated may include those of other crimes or dump sites. These areas may contain other evidence that will lead police to offenders. Investigative service teams may assist in interviewing witnesses, recording statements, and canvassing neighborhoods or vehicles. Lead investigators conduct liaison activities with technical and investigative services personnel. Specialists in criminal investigative analysis and criminal profiling may assist in linking physical and psychological evidence. Criminal information is stored, collated, analyzed, and disseminated to appropriate agencies and personnel. Crime Scene Inspection The basic rule of criminal investigation requires that evidenced never be touched, altered, or moved before being photographed. The CSI team records the crime scene according to specific photography and videography procedures. Specialists such as fingerprint examiners, blood evidence technicians, and footprint technicians may gather fragile trace evidence. A sketch team further documents and measures the location of the physical evidence. Standard search methods ensure the successful collection of all crime scene evidence. The collection team secures, marks, and tags the evidence and initiates the chain of custody forms. In the after-action briefing review, the investigative team and the CSI team share findings. Investigative teams compare preliminary notes for potential follow-up procedures. Discussions focus on essential evidence and its connection to primary suspects. The process identifies potential suspects and the need for laboratory examination to develop associative trace evidence. The final survey is the last official step before the crime scene is released according to agency regulations or other legal requirements. Standing procedures require final inspection by the lead investigator and CSI team leader. The purposes of the final survey are to check for and collect uncovered evidence, police equipment, and dangerous materials. In summary, crime scene reconstruction requires critical thinking and problem-solving strategies. Investigators apply scientific analysis to determine an accurate sequence of events and reconstruct what happened at a crime scene. Physical evidence determines the suspects and the manner in which the crime was carried out. Crime scene interpretation is the result of hypothesis formulation, experimentation, laboratory examination, and logical analysis. Thomas E. Baker Further ReadingBecker, Ronald F. Criminal Investigation. Gaithersburg, Md.: Aspen Publications, 2000. A handbook for use by crime laboratory personnel. Gilbert, James N. Criminal Investigation. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 2001. Includes index and bibliography. Ogle, Robert R. Crime Scene Investigation Reconstruction. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 2004. See Also Arson; Bloodstains; Bombs and explosives; Chain of custody; Cold cases; Computer forensics; Crime labs; Evidence; Fingerprint identification; Forensic anthropology; Forensic entomology; Forensic odontology; Forensic psychology; Forensics; Plain view doctrine; Police detectives; Psychological profiling; Shoe prints and tire-tracks. |
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