situation scene is secure preliminary photography complete rough sketch made search method decided...
TRANSCRIPT
SITUATIONSITUATIONScene is securePreliminary photography
completeRough sketch madeSearch method decided Assignments madeSearch ready to begin
CRIME SCENE SEARCHCRIME SCENE SEARCHAfter scene has been secured and recorded
THE SEARCHTHE SEARCHTo obtain physical evidenceNot confined to area of crime
itself◦May include approach and line of
flightDefinite plans must be madeMust know what to look for and
where
THE SEARCHTHE SEARCHPhysical evidence may
◦Determine facts of crime◦Identify the criminal◦Aid in the arrest and conviction of
the criminal
THE SEARCHTHE SEARCHMust be undertaken with
determination and alertnessNo room for defeatist attitudeNo room for light-hearted
attitudeMay be unpleasantInsignificant items may prove
very important
CRIME SCENE SEARCHCRIME SCENE SEARCHMust be thorough and systematicHow to search depends on
several factors (locale, size, actions of persons)
One person should be in controlWhat to search for determined by
crimeAs general rule fragile items first
SEARCHSEARCHSystematic search of scene
conductedType of search pattern may
depend on sceneBe careful not to destroy
evidence while searching (walking about)
Night time searches problem (put off till day if possible)
searchsearchTypes of searches
◦Spiral◦Strip◦Grid◦Zone
Be organized – Search everything
THE SEARCHTHE SEARCHSearch method must support
what the search is intended to accomplish: A comprehensive accumulation within a reasonable period of time of all available physical evidence
Should economize on movement and avoid unnecessary disturbance
GENERAL METHODSGENERAL METHODSEvidence that is being
significantly deteriorated by time or elements has first priority
Major items are collected in order that is most logical
When deceased individual process area between entry and body
General MethodsGeneral MethodsAfter processing obvious search
for trace material before dustingAfter trace removed process for
latentsElimination prints and evidence
standards are collected last
OUTDOOR SCENESOUTDOOR SCENESNature of site will influence types
of materials collectedFingerprints less frequentRecording more difficuld due to
fewer reference pointsConsider route to be taken to
focal point
OUTDOOR SCENESOUTDOOR SCENESAlmost all evidence on ground
(easy to overlook or step onApproach from route least likely
to have been used by suspect◦Examine vegetation for damage
Area under body should be given attention
OUTDOOR SCENESOUTDOOR SCENESCareful search for tire or foot
impressionsSoil samples collected from area
of impressionsBroken limbs or twigs should be
examined carefully (trace)Is blood or semen suspected to
be mixed with soil
VEHICLE SEARCHESVEHICLE SEARCHESCarefully plannedNature of case will dictate detailsHit-and-run cases outside and
undercarriage examined carefullyHomicide and other all areas of
vehicle should be considered
VEHICLE SEARCHESVEHICLE SEARCHESExterior searched firstLook for broken or damaged
areasCloth impressionsTrace (hair, fiber, fabric) clinging
to carLast on outside fingerprint
VEHICLE SEARCHVEHICLE SEARCHInterior of vehicle
◦Generally divided into five major areas Rt front, Lt front, rt back, lt back, back
deck)
◦May divide floor from seat from instrument
◦Vacuum floor areas first◦Seats swept next◦Fingerprint interior next
VEHICLE SEARCHVEHICLE SEARCHInterior
◦Search for hidden items inside vehicle Drugs, weapons, loot
◦Trunk searched same way as interior (swept, fingerprints, hidden items)
◦Under hood (usually not productive) Could have concealed tools, weapons, or
drugs)
SEARCH OF VICTIMSEARCH OF VICTIMUsually very limitedMay be only observation of dressIf injured collection may be at
hospitalIf deceased collection at medical
examiners office
EQUIPMENT NEEDEDEQUIPMENT NEEDEDFlashlightContainersWaterproof pensMetal ScribeRazor BladesGloves Tweezers
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONSLEGAL CONSIDERATIONSFourth Amendment
◦The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizure, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or thing to be seized
LEGALLEGALWarrantless Search
◦Emergency Circumstances◦Need to prevent immediate loss or
destruction of evidence◦Incident to a lawful arrest◦Consent search
LEGALLEGAL
Supreme court addressed issue of warrantless searches at crime scene
1978Two cases
◦Mincey v. Arizona Homicide
◦Michigan v. Tyler Arson
Mincy v. ArizonaMincy v. ArizonaFour day search at homicide
sceneUndercover police officer killed
after forcing entry into house to buy drugs
Police raided and spent four days searching (bullets, drugs, paraphernalia)
Mincy v. ArizonaMincy v. ArizonaMincy convictedAppealed – evidence gathered
without warrant or consentCourt unanimously upheld
Mincy’s position
Mincy v. ArizonaMincy v. ArizonaPolice may make warrantless entry to
homicide scene to see if other victims or suspect still on premises
No exigent circumstancesNo indication evidence would be lost
or destroyed
Mincy v. ArizonaMincy v. ArizonaPolice had a guard at apartmentWarrant could have been easily and
conveniently obtainedSeriousness of the offence does not
create exigent circumstances
Michigan v. TylerMichigan v. TylerBusiness destroyed by fireFire extinguished in early
morningSmoke, steam and darkness
prevented examination of sceneBuilding left unattended until
8:00 am
Michigan v. TylerMichigan v. TylerOfficials returned at 8:00 am and
searched and removed evidence Returned 4, 7, and 25 days later,
searched and removed evidenceEach search without warrant or
consent
Michigan v. TylerMichigan v. TylerTyler convicted of arsonCourt reversed convictionInitial search proper but
additional entries inadmissible
LEGALLEGALMessage of Supreme Court
◦When time and circumstances permit - obtain a search warrant.
EVIDENCE DEPOSITORIESEVIDENCE DEPOSITORIESPHYSICALLY SECURECAPACITY LARGE ENOUGHSHELVES TO ALLOW FOR
SEPARATION