Unit 4: Selection and Crime Scene Process

Introduction

The physical evidence recovered during investigations of crime scenes is one of the critical areas in contemporary law enforcement. Often, the facts and tangible items of evidence derived from these investigations make the difference between success and failure when a case is brought to trial. With the evolution of the scientific aspects of forensic science, more attention must be awarded at crime scenes to recovering, and maintaining the integrity of, evidence which will be eventually examined by specialists in the crime laboratory.

One important consideration bearing on the modern view of forensic science is that this field is sometimes associated only with work accomplished in the crime laboratory. This consideration, however, is in actuality a very limited perspective on the overall area of forensic science. It is obvious that the ability of the laboratory to provide scientific interpretations is dependent to a great extent on the recognition, recovery and documentation of evidence at the crime scene. In essence, then, the field investigator or crime scene technician is as much a. part of forensic science as the highly skilled laboratory examiner. If the evidence from a scene is not properly handled, the work of the crime laboratory can be hindered to a great extent. Therefore, it is suggested the discipline of forensic science be regarded as a multifaceted one. Each level of evidence involvement must be planned, organized and performed with a central issue in mind - effective use of the physical evidence to its greatest potential.

The focus of the information which follows in this article is on a major concern - the management process of insuring that crime scene searches are conducted in a systematic and methodical fashion. Numerous suggestions are presented in terms of practical aspects of day-to-day search operations. Due to the myriad situations which can occur, it would be virtually impossible to cover all conceivable possibilities. Nonetheless, the material contained herein brings out significant concerns common to almost all agencies.

Additionally, these points should serve as catalysts for the reader to generate other important items based on specific agency needs. It is hoped this article will provide a basis for analyzing the factors which must be managed for the goals of crime scene investigations to be attained.