NCJ Number
236848
Journal
The Prosecutor Volume: 45 Issue: 3 Dated: July/August/September 2011 Pages: 29,30,32,34,35,36
Date Published
2011
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article presents information on the importance of observing crime scene guidelines during the initial evidence collection process.
Abstract
This article examines the FBI Crime Scene Forensic Documentation Guidelines that should be routinely applied to every crime scene regardless of size or complexity. The narrative reviews each Crime Scene Guideline and identifies the documentation that the prosecutor should anticipate being present. Omitted documentation for a particular guideline may suggest a defect in the forensic evidence acquisition process and should be questioned since these omissions may provide points of attack by the defense and consequently provide for a reasonable defense strategy. The FBI documentation guidelines include steps for proper crime scene evidence collection: 1) approach scene - discusses the initial approach to the crime scene by the first responder and requires the noting of temperature and other environmental conditions, any artifacts that may represent evidence, and locating potential witnesses; 2) secure and protect - discusses protecting the crime scene in its pristine form; 3) preliminary survey and 4) guideline narrative description - discuss the survey taken to support the management, organization , and logistical elements of the crime scene; 5) photograph scene - examines how to portray the crime scene evidence through photography; 6) sketch scene - examines how a crime scene sketch provides spatial relationships that supplant and complement the two-dimensional photographs; 7) physical evaluation of the scene and 8) continuing evaluation of the evidence - discuss evaluations that are ongoing throughout the scene processing; and 9) conduct search this also includes; 10) collect, record, mark and preserve the evidence; 11) conduct final survey, and 12) release the crime scene.