Define Processing the Crime Scene.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Initially the author brings out the importance of understanding the preliminary investigation. Securing the scene, determining the possibility of arresting a suspect, finding witnesses and victims and documenting the scene are covered at length. Also the first part of this chapter looks at identifying and collecting evidence.
Next of impotence is the types of evidence found at the scene Locard’s exchange principle is explained regarding how a crime can not happen without some evidence of the perpetrator leaving something behind, even only if it is a trace amount. Different types of evidence such as prima facie evidence, indirect or circumstantial evidence, or demonstrative will be at the crime scene.
The first officer on the scene’s response is the next topic of discussion. This part of the chapter reviews how the first officer must act en route to the scene, what to do on arrival, including protection of the surrounding area. As important is the assistance to victims and follow up communications with dispatch. Then the author discusses the identification of witnesses, vehicles and eventual briefing with other arriving officers. Flash descriptions of the scene and suspects must also be aired to central dispatch.
The process of securing the crime scene is the next point of the chapter. How to properly secure the evidence and the scene is discussed while also including when or if further “back-up” should be requested.
“Walk throughs”, establishing chains of custody and legal tools such as need for a warrant is reviewed in the chapter. Then the author demonstrates how evidence should be collected at the scene. This includes ways to conduct a search through and inside and outside scene and the best patterns for the search. The section is very in depth with the search, evidence, chain of custody with anything found on scene, as well as marking each piece of evidence.
The next part of the chapter is how officers should perform a follow-up investigation. This looks at whether there is a need for a medical examiner report, conducting a neighborhood canvas, and preparing crime scene reports.