A wide variety of physical evidence can be collected at a scene that is deemed valuable (“probative”) for collection and investigation:
The type of evidence collected will vary with the type of crime. In the case of a burglary, for example, it would be common to perform tasks in the order listed below. This will help ensure that evidence isn’t inadvertently damaged or destroyed:
The number and type of professional(s) responsible for investigating a scene and collecting evidence largely depends on the type of crime and the resources of the law enforcement agency. Larger agencies often have dedicated, highly trained crime scene specialists, while smaller agencies may require that first responders or detectives process the scene in addition to their other duties.
In many instances, a case will be investigated by a detective who is responsible for interviewing persons of interest and victims, pursuing leads and piecing together the information that is developed from the materials collected at the scene. The detective works in tandem with a team of crime scene personnel who search the scene and collect the evidence. The crime scene investigation team may consist of crime scene photographers and evidence collection personnel specializing in gathering specific evidence such as latent prints, DNA, trace evidence and the like.
In the United States, there are no national requirements that must be met to serve as a crime scene investigator; however, investigators can achieve four levels of certification through the International Association for Identification (IAI) that demonstrate their proficiency:
Other certifications commonly achieved include the Evidence Photographer Certification from the Evidence Photographers International Council, Inc. and Board Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI).
The circumstances that investigators encounter at the scene will largely dictate the approach used to process the scene. A homicide will likely require different treatment and processing than a burglary. However, to ensure a thorough process, the seven steps outlined below are often followed. These steps can be conducted in a different order, combined or even skipped altogether to meet the needs of the situation.
1. Establish the scene dimensions and identify potential safety and health hazards - Investigators initially locate the “focal point” of the scene, the main area of disturbance. This could be a ransacked bedroom, the area where an attack occurred, or the room in which a victim was found. Radiating out from that point, investigators establish an area that is sizeable enough to likely contain all relevant physical evidence that may be present. It is easier for investigators to condense the size of a scene at a later point than to discover that sensitive evidence outside the scene has been damaged or destroyed by other responders, media or onlookers. In addition, potential paths of perpetrator entry/exit are identified. Safety is of paramount importance during the initial approach to the scene. Weapons, biohazards, chemical hazards and even intentional traps could be waiting for responders. If medical, fire or coroners will be on scene, they will need to be advised regarding evidentiary issues as well.
2. Establish security - According to Locard’s Exchange Principle, every person who enters or exits the scene will add or subtract material from the crime scene, so it’s crucial to quickly secure the area. To control access, the scene may be cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape, cones or by other means. In addition, a common entryway is often established that all crime scene personnel will use to enter and exit the scene and all people entering or leaving the scene are documented once the boundaries have been established. Additional areas for consultation and evidence storage may also be established if necessary.
3. Plan, communicate and coordinate - Before collecting evidence, investigators must first develop a theory regarding the type of offense that occurred. Knowing the type of crime will help investigators anticipate the evidence that could be present. This may require gathering information from witnesses or persons of interest. Based on this information, the crime scene team will develop an evidence-collection strategy taking into consideration weather conditions, time of day and other factors. Additional forensic resources may also be requested to handle special situations.
4. Conduct a primary survey/walkthrough - An initial survey of the scene is then conducted to prioritize evidence collection. During this walkthrough, the lead investigator will identify potentially valuable evidence, take notes and capture initial photographs of the scene and the evidence. The crime scene is documented to record conditions such as whether lights were on or off, the position of shades and doors, position of movable furniture, any smells present, the temperature of the scene, etc. To facilitate this process, crime scene specialists may create an evidence-free pathway leading to the primary area of interest by conducting a thorough sweep for evidence in that area.
5. Document and process the scene - With a plan in place, the crime scene team conducts a thorough, coordinated investigation of the scene, collecting all probative evidence. This entails detailed documentation with digital and video cameras or, if available, a 3-D scanner. For some situations, sketches and diagrams are also created. During the evidence-collection process, it is crucial that the crime scene investigator follow proper procedures for collecting, packaging and preserving the evidence, especially if it is of a biological nature. Biological evidence can be destroyed or damaged by weather conditions, individuals can inadvertently contaminate it, or it can be overlooked entirely if alternate light sources are not used to inspect the scene.
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6. Conduct a secondary survey/review - To ensure that the scene has been thoroughly searched, a second survey of the area is conducted as a quality control step.
7. Record and preserve evidence - To make certain that all evidence is accounted for, an inventory log is created. The descriptions recorded into the log must match the photo of the evidence taken at the scene and the description included in the crime scene report. For instance, if a gun is collected, the serial number of the firearm in the evidence log must match the serial number shown in the photo that was taken at the scene. This paper trail establishes the chain of custody that will follow the evidence throughout the lifecycle of the case.
The most probative evidence will be sent to either a forensic laboratory or, if the laboratory does not have an expert in that forensic discipline, to an outside analyst for examination. To help identify the evidence that is most valuable, the crime scene personnel may conduct initial screening tests, called presumptive tests, at the scene. These tests can be useful in determining the type of substance present—whether it’s a toxin or a drug, a stain that contains body fluids, or even whether a dried red substance found in the kitchen is blood or ketchup.
Presumptive tests allow investigators to narrow the field of possibilities to a certain class of substance, but they are not specific enough to confirm the presence of specific compounds. In addition to helping provide clues to indicate how the crime occurred and who may have been involved, presumptive tests can also help reduce the quantity of evidence that is submitted to the lab to include only the most important items. This helps to expedite processing at the laboratory.
As technology advances and devices become more portable and affordable, additional testing of evidence will likely be conducted at the scene.
