NCJ Number
211415
Journal
Forensic Magazine Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: August/September 2005 Pages: 32-34
Date Published
August 2005
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This second part of a two-part article on the use of a crime-scene checklist for observations and evidence collection focuses on documentation about where a body is found.
Abstract
The article first discusses documentation of coroner notification and body removal. The author advises crime-scene investigators to record the date and time the coroner and any associated investigator and agencies were notified of the body and by whom, along with when they arrived at the scene. Before the coroner is allowed into the scene, all evidence that can be contaminated by his/her presence should have been collected, including blood spatter, foot prints, tire tracks, and shell casings. Other details that should be recorded in association with removal of the body are the name of the company that removed the body, who called the company and when, who authorized the body to be removed from the scene, who actually picked up the body, when they arrived and departed, whether the body bag was sealed and how, and the tag number of the body bag. If available at the time, any information on the deceased should be recorded. In the case of a body found in a structure, as much information as possible should be recorded on the location, including type of structure where the body was found, the conditions of the surroundings, and how a suspect may have entered the structure. Everything seen at the crime scene should be recorded, along with search procedures. The article mentions all specific conditions and items that have proven over the course of many investigations to potentially have a role in reconstructing what happened and in identifying suspects and victims.