Forensics College Essay Example

where team members are assigned to search each section. This pattern is most effective when used on large areas. Furthermore, vehicle searches need to be carefully planned and carried out systematically.

It is important for the investigator to exercise caution in order to preserve valuable evidence, such as fingerprints, blood, tissue, fibers, and fabric impressions. If this occurs during nighttime hours, it is recommended to cordon off the area using tape and assign an officer to guard it until morning (Saferstein, 2009). Documenting a crime scene properly involves following a step-by-step process that includes taking meticulous notes. This begins with identifying the individual who contacted the investigator and recording the time and any initial details provided, including the case number.

When the lead investigator arrives, it is crucial to document their arrival date and time, as well as any individuals they have communicated with. It is also important to note the names, titles, and arrival times of any other personnel involved. To avoid tampering with evidence, unauthorized individuals must be prevented from accessing the crime scene. The officer will provide any information or observations made by themselves or others (Saferstein, 2009). Once the walkthrough is finished, the investigator will assign tasks to the team.

When investigating a homicide scene, it is vital for the investigator to thoroughly observe and document the condition of the victim's body before it is moved by the medical examiner or coroner. This involves taking note of their physical characteristics, body placement, wounds, blood spatter, and any tattoos present. Additionally, recording the date and time when the coroner/medical examiner relocated the body is crucial. Moreover, documenting any initial identification of both the victim and

suspect is important (Saferstein, 2009).

To photograph a crime scene, certain steps and specific photos must be taken while ensuring that the scene remains unaltered. All objects, except for injured parties, should not be moved until they have been photographed from all angles to preserve their evidential value in a trial (Saferstein, 2009). In a systematic manner, each crime scene should be thoroughly photographed, starting with the area of the crime and extending to all adjacent areas where significant actions occurred before or after the crime was committed.

The photographer typically starts photographing a crime scene from the outer edges and moves towards the center. This process should remain consistent for all crime scenes. Additional photographs may be taken for court use (Saferstein, 2009). When creating a crime scene sketch, it is crucial to include specific details. The sketch should have a title block that includes the case number, agency number, artist's name and title, scene location, and date and time of creation.

The information contained in the sketch's title block includes the victim's name, suspects' names, and the type of crime. To format the sketch paper correctly, the title block should be positioned in the lower right corner. The legend, which reveals the identity and dimensions of objects or evidence, can be presented using symbols, letters, or numbers. An arrow on the compass should indicate the north direction within the scene. All dimensions and objects within the sketch are depicted in the body of the drawing. (Saferstein, 2009).