Crime Scene Search

A crime scene search is a planned, coordinated, and legal search by law enforcement officials to locate physical evidence.

Basic Premises

• The best search options are typically the most difficult and time-consuming.
• Physical evidence cannot be overdocumented.
• There is only one chance to search the scene properly.
• There are two search approaches:
  1. Conduct a cautious search of visible areas, avoiding evidence loss or contamination
  2. After the cautious search, conduct a vigorous search of concealed areas

Preparation

• Obtain a search warrant, if necessary.
• Discuss the search with involved personnel before arrival at the scene, if possible.
• Establish a command headquarters for communication and decision making in major or complicated crime scene searches.
• Ensure that personnel are aware of the types of evidence usually encountered and the proper handling of the evidence.
• Make preliminary personnel assignments before arrival at the scene, if possible.
• Ensure that assignments are in keeping with the attitude, aptitude, training, and experience of personnel. Personnel may be assigned two or more responsibilities.
• Person In Charge
  • scene security
  • administrative log
  • preliminary survey
  • narrative description
  • problem resolution
  • final decision making
• Photographer
  • photography and log
• Sketch Preparer
  • sketch and log
• Evidence Recorder
  • evidence custodian and log
• Establish communication between medical examiners, laboratory personnel, and prosecutive attorneys so that questions during the crime scene search can be resolved.
• Coordinate agreements with all agencies in multijurisdictional crime scene searches.
• Accumulate evidence collection and packaging materials and equipment.
• Prepare the paperwork to document the search.
• Provide protective clothing, communication, lighting, shelter, transportation, equipment, food, water, medical assistance, and security for personnel.
• In prolonged searches, use shifts of two or more teams.
• Transfer paperwork and responsibility in a preplanned manner from one team to the next.

Approach

• Be alert for evidence.
• Take extensive notes.
• Consider the safety of all personnel.

Secure and Protect

• Take control of the scene immediately.
• Determine the extent to which the scene has been protected. Obtain information from personnel who have knowledge of the original condition.
• Designate one person in charge for final decision making and problem resolution.
• Continue to take extensive notes.
• Keep out unauthorized personnel.
• Record who enters and leaves.

Preliminary Survey

• The survey is an organizational stage to plan for the search.
• Cautiously walk through the scene.
• Maintain administrative and emotional control.
• Select a narrative technique such as written, audio, or video.
• Take preliminary photographs.
• Delineate the extent of the search area. Usually expand the initial perimeter.
• Organize methods and procedures.
• Recognize special problem areas.
• Identify and protect transient physical evidence.
• Determine personnel and equipment needs. Make specific assignments.
• Develop a general theory of the crime.
• Take extensive notes to document the scene, physical and environmental conditions, and personnel movements.

Evaluate Physical Evidence Possibilities

• This evaluation begins upon arrival at the scene and becomes detailed in the preliminary survey stage.
• Ensure that the collection and packaging materials and equipment are sufficient.
• Focus first on evidence that could be lost. Leave the least transient evidence last.
• Ensure all personnel consider the variety of possible evidence, not only evidence within their specialties.
• Search the easily accessible areas and progress to out-of-view locations. Look for hidden items.
• Evaluate whether evidence appears to have been moved inadvertently.
• Evaluate if the scene appears contrived.

Narrative

• The narrative is a running description of the crime scene.
• Use a systematic approach in the narrative.
• Nothing is insignificant to record if it catches one's attention.
• Under most circumstances, do not collect evidence during the narrative.
• Use photographs and sketches to supplement, not substitute for, the narrative.
• The narrative should include
  • Case identifier
  • Date, time, and location
  • Weather and lighting conditions
  • Identity and assignments of personnel
  • Condition and position of evidence

Photography

• Photograph the crime scene as soon as possible.
• Prepare a photographic log that records all photographs and a description and location of evidence.
• Establish a progression of overall, medium, and close-up views of the crime scene.
• Photograph from eye level to represent the normal view.
• Photograph the most fragile areas of the crime scene first.
• Photograph all stages of the crime scene investigation, including discoveries.
• Photograph the condition of evidence before recovery.
• Photograph the evidence in detail and include a scale, the photographer's initials, and the date.
• When a scale is used, first take a photograph without the scale.
• Photograph the interior crime scene in an overall and overlapping series using a wide-angle lens.
• Photograph the exterior crime scene, establishing the location of the scene by a series of overall photographs including a landmark. Photographs should have 360 of coverage. Consider using aerial photography.
• Photograph entrances and exits.
• Photograph important evidence twice.
• A medium-distance photograph that shows the evidence and its position to other evidence.
• A close-up photograph that includes a scale and fills the frame.
• Acquire prior photographs, blueprints, or maps of the scene.

Sketch

• The sketch establishes a permanent record of items, conditions, and distance and size relationships.
• Sketches supplement photographs.
• Sketch number designations should coordinate with the evidence log number designations.
• Sketches are normally not drawn to scale. However, the sketch should have measurements and details for a drawn-to-scale diagram, if necessary.
• The sketch should include
  • Case identifier;
  • Date, time, and location;
  • Weather and lighting conditions;
  • Identity and assignments of personnel;
  • Dimensions of rooms, furniture, doors, and windows;
  • Distances between objects, persons, bodies, entrances, and exits;
  • Measurements showing the location of evidence. Each object should be located by two measurements from nonmovable items such as doors or walls; and
  • Key, legend, compass orientation, scale, scale disclaimer, or a combination of these features.

Crime Scene Search, Record, and Physical Evidence Collection

• Use a search pattern such as a grid, strip or lane, or spiral.
• Search from the general to the specific for evidence.
• Be alert for all evidence.
• Search entrances and exits.
• Photograph all items before collection and notate the photographic log.
• Mark evidence locations on the sketch.
• Complete the evidence log with notations for each item of evidence. If feasible, have one person serve as evidence custodian.
• Two persons should observe evidence in place, during recovery, and being marked for identification. If feasible, mark directly on the evidence.
• Wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints.
• Do not excessively handle the evidence after recovery.
• Seal all evidence packages at the crime scene.
• Obtain known standards such as fiber samples from a known carpet.
• Make a complete evaluation of the crime scene.
• Constantly check paperwork, packaging, and other information for errors.

Final Survey

• The final survey is a review of all aspects of the search.
• Discuss the search with all personnel.
• Ensure all documentation is correct and complete.
• Photograph the scene showing the final condition.
• Ensure all evidence is secured.
• Ensure all equipment is retrieved.
• Ensure hiding places or difficult access areas have not been overlooked.

Release

• Release the crime scene after the final survey.
• Crime scene release documentation should include the time and date of release, to whom released, and by whom released.
• Ensure that the evidence is collected according to legal requirements, documented, and marked for identification.
• Consider the need for specialists such as a blood-pattern analyst or a medical examiner to observe the scene before it is released.
• Once the scene has been released, reentry may require a warrant.
• The scene should be released only when all personnel are satisfied that the scene was searched correctly and completely.
• Only the person in charge should release the scene.