Subject: Forensic Science and Law

(17100351)

Unit-3 Crime Scene Management

Topic:1 Crime Scene Investigation

Dr. Ruchi Tiwari

Associate Professor
ruchi.tiwari90558@[Link]
Course Learning Outcome
• CLO 1: Understand the importance of
use of scientific knowledge in criminal
investigation and criminal trial stage.
 Course Learning Objective
• CLOBJ 1: To acquaint the students with
the basic principles and tools of
Forensic Science and the relevant legal
provisions.

• CLOBJ 3: To help students understand

the application of Forensic Science to
the Criminal Justice System
 Learning Outcomes

•Crime Scene Protocols & Safety

•Evidence Identification & Collection

•Crime Scene Documentation & Reconstruction

 Learning Objectives

•To demonstrate knowledge of crime scene protocols and safety measures.

•To identify, collect, and preserve physical evidence at a crime scene.

•To accurately document and reconstruct events based on crime scene evidence.
Assessment Tools
Written
Assignment
s
Viva &
Presentatio
n
Case
Study
Analysis
Written
Tests/Exam
s
I. Introduction
A. Forensic science begins at the crime scene.

B. Four steps of Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)

1. Recognition—scene survey, documentation,
collection
2. Identification—comparison testing
3. Individualization—evaluation, interpretation
4. Reconstruction—reporting and presentation
I. Introduction (cont.)
C. A main goal of CSI is to successfully identify and
preserve physical evidence.
1. Two general types of evidence: direct and physical
[Link]/testimonial = evidence in the form
of a statement made under oath.(go to
eyewitness slides)
[Link] evidence = any and all objects
and materials that are relevant in a crime
(examples: drugs, toxic substances, paints,
gunshot residues, firearms and ammunition,
impressions, petroleum products, blood,
fibers, glass, hair, body fluids, fingerprints,
etc.)
Direct/testimonial evidence extension
activity 
• Note: The next 10 slides came from The
Science Spot website
• [Link]
 What is testimonial
evidence?
Testimonial evidence includes oral or written statements given
to police as well as testimony in court by people who witnessed
an event.
Eyewitness accounts can be a useful tool in helping investigators
with analyzing a crime scene, but are not viewed to be highly
reliable. In addition, eyewitness identifications (right or wrong)
can have a big influence on the outcome of an investigation or
trial.
People are likely to view the same scene in different ways
depending on their positions, line of sight, familiarity with the
area, and other factors that can interfere with a person’s ability
to remember details.
 Memory Challenge
Directions:
You will have 30 seconds to view the next screen.
Try to memorize all 20 items you see!

You are NOT allowed to write anything down

You CANNOT talk to anyone else.
 Items to remember ...

Neuroscience for Kids - [Link]

 What do you remember?
You have 2 minutes to list as many of the items as you can!

How did you do?

All 20 – Awesome
15-19 – Great
10-14 – Pretty swell
5-9 – Could be
better
4 or Less – Wake up
 Did you know?
According to The Innocence Project (2008)
"Eyewitness misidentification is the single greatest
cause of wrongful convictions nationwide, playing a
role in more than 75% of convictions overturned
through DNA testing." Still, the criminal justice system
profoundly relies on eyewitness identification and
testimony for investigating and prosecuting crimes
(Wells & Olson, 2003).

What factors affect a person’s

memory and their ability to
identify a suspect?

Source: [Link]
 Witness Factors
• Age may play a role in the accuracy of an eyewitness’ statement or
identification of a suspect. Studies have shown that when a lineup contains
the actual culprit, both young children and elderly perform well, but when
the lineup does not contain the culprit there is a higher rate of mistaken
identifications.
• The race of the witness may also play a role. The Cross Race Effect (CRE)
is a phenomenon in which people are better at recognizing faces of their
own race rather than those of other races.
• The use of drugs can alter a person’s ability to recall the events of a crime
even after they are no longer under the influence.
• A person’s memory of an event can be influenced by other witnesses,
investigators, and/or the media. Investigators use open-ended questioning
and follow procedures for conducting line-ups to limit their influence on a
witness’ memory of an event or identification of a suspect.

Source: [Link]
 Crime Scene & Suspect
Factors
• A crime that is extremely traumatic for an eyewitness may affect his/her
recall of the event. For example, a witness confronted with a weapon
tends to focus on the weapon rather than the perpetrator’s face.
• Someone who is able to focus on a perpetrator's face for a minute or
longer will tend to have a more accurate memory than someone who
saw the person for only a few seconds.
• Studies have shown that faces that are either highly attractive, highly
unattractive, or distinctive are more likely to be accurately recognized.
Simple disguises, such as hats or sunglasses, can interfere with
accurate eyewitness identification. However, body piercings and
tattoos increases the likelihood of an accurate identification.
• The time of day in which the crime occurred as well as a person’s view
of the scene may affect what a he/she is able to see. In addition, a
person who is familiar with the area in which the crime took place, may
have a better recall of the positions of the victims or suspects.

Source: [Link]
Crime Scene Challenge

• Now that your eyes and brain are warmed up, let’s
test your observation skills a bit more.
• You will have 2 minutes to study the photograph of a
crime scene on the next slide.
• Try to pay attention to details as you will be asked 10
questions about the crime scene!
• You are not allowed to write anything down until
after the time is up.
• Ready?
Answer each question below.
1. What color coffee mug was in the picture? Blue Red Yellow

2. When was the deadline? Yesterday Today Tomorrow

3. What time was on the clock on the wall? 10:40 11:05 1:55

4. How many sticky notes were on the whiteboard? Four Six Eight

5. Which of the following was NOT in the picture? Stapler Trash Can Printer

6. What was the name on the plaque on the desk? Bill Brian Carl

7. What color was the victim's shirt? Black Blue Red

8. How many plants were in the picture? None One Two

9. What was the color of the marker in the desk drawer? Red Blue Green

10. Where was the book in the picture? On a box In the trash can Under the body

Source: [Link]
2. Use of physical evidence
a. Prove that a crime has been committed
b. Corroborate testimony
c. Link a suspect with a victim or with a crime
scene
d. Establish the identity of persons associated
with a crime
e. Allow reconstruction of events of a crime
II. Defining a crime
scene
[Link] scene are diverse and unique . . .
no two scenes are exactly the same

[Link] [Link]
[Link] crime_scene_reconstruction.jpg
 II. Defining a crime scene (cont.)
a. Classification of crime scenes can be based on . . .
1. location
a. primary: site of original or first criminal activity
b. secondary: any subsequent sites of criminal activity
2. size
a. macroscopic crime scene: composed of many crime scenes (overall
area)
b. microscopic crime scene: focused on specific types of physical
evidence found at the macroscopic crime scene

Note: Each crime scene can be a combination of these classifications. Also as an

investigation proceeds, the definition of the crime scene can be constantly modified.
 III. General procedures for
CSI (recognition step)
[Link] and protect the crime scene
1. First responding officer
a. critical role
b. responsibilities include:
i. assist the victim
ii. search for and arrest suspects if possible
iii. detain all witnesses
iv. protect and secure the scene
v. note and communicate to investigators all
movements and alterations made to the
scene

[Link]
III. General procedures for CSI
A. Secure and protect the crime
scene (cont.)
[Link] crime scene security
[Link]? Locard’s Principle
[Link]-level approach

James, S.H., & Nordby, J.J. (2005). Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and
Investigative Techniques. 2ⁿᵈ Edition. New York: Taylor & Francis. Pg. 171.
III. General procedures for
CSI [Link]
(cont.) the scene
1. “Walk-through”
2. Note: transient (temporary) or conditional (the
result of an action) evidence, points of entry
and exit, and initial observations
[Link] a crime scene
Four main components = notes,
photography, videotape, sketch
(see concept map or web for explanations)
III. General procedures for
CSI (cont.)

[Link] Scene Searches

1. Preliminary search
a. done once the scene is secured
b. purpose = note obvious evidence
2. Post-documentation search
a. intensive search for less obvious/overlook evidence
b. completed before collection and packaging of
evidence
c. evidence found must be documented before
collection
III. General procedures for
CSI
D. Crime Scene
1. Search Searches (cont.)
methods/patterns
a. Purpose = provide systematic search so no
evidence missed
b. Organized = everyone on same page and stress
no touching or altering evidence (just mark they
are there)
c. Six most common search patterns
1. Link
2. Line or Strip
3. Grid
4. Wheel or Ray
5. Spiral
6. Zone
 Crime scene search
patterns

1. Link 4. Wheel or
Ray

2. Line or 5.
strip Spiral
1 2

3 4

3. Grid 6. Zone
III. General procedures for
CSIa.(cont.)
Collection of Evidence
1. Done AFTER crime scene documentation and intensive
search for evidence
2. Evidence collector = one person given this job
--Why?
To ensure evidence collected, packaged,
marked,
sealed, and preserved in CONSISTENT
manner
3. Order of collection
a. no set order
b. depends on nature of the evidence
--example: transient, fragile, or easily lost
evidence collected first
4. IMPORTANT: if any new evidence discovered, must first
DOCUMENT it before collecting
III. General procedures for
CSI
E. Collection of Evidence (cont.)
1. General collection guidelines
a. Most items packaged in primary container, then placed
inside secondary container
b. Outer container
i. completely sealed at time of collection with
tamper-resistant tape
ii. marked with: items contained; ID of collector; time,
date, and location of collection
c. Each item packaged SEPARATELY to prevent
cross-contamination

[Link]
 III. General procedures for CSI
E. Collection of Evidence (cont.)
1. Ways to package different categories of evidence
a. Biological material
--packaged in a dry paper bag (NOT
plastic)
b. Trace evidence (hairs, fibers, etc.)
--packaged in small envelops or tins
--Druggist’s folds used as primary
container =
pieces of paper folded around items to
hold trace
evidence in place before placed in outer
container
c. Fingerprints
--lifted fingerprints are attached to an
index card
d. Arson debris
-- packaged in old paint cans or mason
[Link]
jars (sealed
Forensic%20Science/PowerPoint%[Link]
glass jar)
III. General procedures for
[Link]
(cont.)Scene Reconstruction
1. The process of analyzing data to ultimately
develop a theory of the crime
2. Stages involved (see diagram and explanations
on page 180 of textbook):
a. Data collection
b. Conjecture
c. Hypothesis formation
d. Testing
e. Theory formation
 Crime Scene
sketching
methods
Crime scene
sketching
example
Crime scene
sketching
directions
Crime Scene Sketching
• CS sketching is the final step in CS documentation
• Provides for dimensional relationships

2 views
[Link]’s eye view (top-down/overhead . . .most common)
[Link] view (side-on)

2 types
[Link] sketch—completed at scene, not to scale
[Link] sketch—completed later with lots of time and detail,
drawn to scale
 4 techniques for measuring
evidence
[Link] (indoor)
RP RP RP

evidence
evidence

[Link] coordinates (indoor)

[Link] (outdoor)

evidence

RP
RP

evidence

evidence

evidence [Link] coordinates (outdoor)

 CS Sketching Lab Tips
• Label North
• Label RP • Use RULER in final sketch and
• Use rectangular coordinates to tables
measure evidence • Final sketch drawn to SCALE
• Symbols (include key to scale)
door
window • Evidence table

Location
Letter Item/description
From N From W

• Evidence in final sketch: A

⚬ Draw in body only, for all others B

use LETTERS C
⚬ Measure to center of object Body
⚬ Do not include evidence • Use detail when including item
measurements in sketch, they description (ie. Book . . . What
will be in your evidence table book? Size?—measure
dimensions)
CS Sketch Example

= 1foot