Welcome to the All About Forensic Science crime scene investigation pages. From here you will be able to access content and resources relating to all aspects of crime-scene investigation: Including:
Protecting & Preserving A Crime-Scene
Different Types of Crime-Scene
Types of Evidence At A Crime-Scene
Crime-Scene-Processing & Documentation
Crime-Scene-Equipment
Crime-Scene Basics
The following crime-scene information was produced by The U.S. Department of Justice.
Responding to a crime-scene is a critical step in the scientific investigation of a case. Unless the crime-scene response is handled correctly, the investigation may be severely compromised. Crime-Scene investigators and crime-scene specialists are responsible for identifying, securing, collecting, and preserving evidence which is submitted to the crime laboratory.
The investigator's knowledge in crime-scene documentation and the variety of methods for the collection and processing of all types of evidence is crucial. In addition, the investigator must often make timely decisions whether to obtain written consent or a search warrant, so that the evidence will be admissible and not subject to a motion to suppress.
Types of Evidence
TESTIMONIAL:
Statements or the spoken word from the victim(s) or witness(es).
PHYSICAL:
"Real evidence", refers to such things as hairs, fibers, latent fingerprints, and biological material.
Locard's Exchange Principle
Crime scene concept which states that every time someone enters an environment, something is added to and removed from it. The notion that "every contact leaves a trace," applies to contact between individuals as well as between individuals and a physical environment. Crime-scene investigators are taught to assume that physical evidence will be left behind, the amount and nature of this will largely depend on the circumstances of the crime.
Examples of Evidence Left Behind at A Crime-Scene
Biological material e.g. blood, semen or saliva
Fibers
Paint Chips
Glass
Soil & Vegetation
Accelerants
Fingerprints
Hair
Impression evidence e.g. shoe prints, tire tracks or tool marks
Fracture patterns e.g. glass fragments or adhesive tape pieces
Narcotics
Physical Evidence: The Silent Witness
Evidence often tells a story and helps crime scene investigators re-create the crime scene and establish the sequence of events. Physical evidence can corroborate statements from the victim(s), witness(es) and/or suspect(s). If analyzed and interpreted properly, physical evidence is more reliable than testimonial evidence; testimonial evidence is more subjective in nature.
An individual's perception of events and memory of what happened can be incomplete or inaccurate. Physical evidence is objective and when documented, collected, and preserved properly may be the only definitive way to reliably place or link someone to a crime scene. This is why Physical evidence is known as the "silent witness."
CSI Pages
For clear and concise crime-scene related descriptions simply click on the links below.
Crime-Scene-Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement
Book Details
The Technical Working Group on Crime-Scene-Investigation (TWGCSI) is a multidisciplinary group of content-area experts from across the United States. Each member of the TWGCSI is experienced in the area of CSI and evidence collection in the criminal justice system from the standpoints of law enforcement, prosecution, defense, or forensic science.
The experts invited to TWGCSI consisted of 44 members from 25 States. Their expertise was distributed among 18 law enforcement officers and trainers, 16 forensic analysts and educators, 5 prosecutors, and 5 defense attorneys.
Collectively, over a 1-year period, the 44 members of TWGCSI worked together to develop this outstanding guide.
You can get hold of your free copy of CSI: A Guide for Law Enforcement by visiting the forensic science eBook collection page (see following link).
Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation (Crc Series in Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations.) by Ross M. Gardner
Book Description
Practical Crime-Scene-Processing and Investigation is a single-source reference for proven crime scene processing methods and procedures. Focusing on the day-to-day aspects of crime-scene processing, this field-friendly guide describes what the crime scene investigator does, details the steps in the process, and explains how to decide on the order of the methods.
After an overview of theory and ethics, the author guides readers through the methods, motives, and motions needed to secure the crime-scene - and the investigation. Discussions on crime scene procedures, detailed figures, and real-life examples enhance understanding and demonstrate precisely how to apply the techniques and tools of the trade.
High quality crime-scene- investigation pictures that you can use for free in your science projects, presentations, lectures, teaching materials etc. You can access the pictures via the following link.
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