NCJ Number
78264
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
In this film, George Swidler of Northeastern University's Department of Law Enforcement Programs discusses the importance of preserving and protecting evidence, searching for all available evidence, and collecting evidence that will stand up in court.
Abstract
Steps that law enforcement personnel should take in evidence collection are described and include arriving quickly at the crime scene, securing the site and adjacent areas, excluding all unauthorized persons, not touching or moving objects, and stepping with care around the premises. Types of scenes (indoor, outdoor, and vehicle) are described as well as types of crime scene searches (sector and concentric circle). Crime evidence that investigators should look for such as fingerprints, tool-identifying marks, spent bullets, bllodstains, footprints, and physiological residues is described. Details of evidence collection are provided on where to obtain boxes and how to fill out evidence tags. Throughout, the film emphasizes the importance of correct evidence collection as an aid in the arrest and conviction of criminals. A question and answer session includes crime scene photography, bloodstain collecting, crime scene sketches, and evidence containers. The film is suggested for police inservice training.