From the Crime to the Courtroom - Essay Example

Take note of any vehicles or persons leaving the crime scene. Move towards the crime scene cautiously, do a thorough assessment and take note of any secondary crime scenes. This also requires taking note of any vehicles or persons in the surrounding area that could be related to the crime. Make critical observation to ensure his or her safety before proceeding. Remain alert and assume the crime is still going on until he or she confirms otherwise. This scene should be treated as a crime scene until determined otherwise through further investigation.

Responding officers should begin security measures which include; assisting the victim, detaining any witnesses to get more information, protect the crime scene and communicate crime scene status to other investigators (Miller, 2003). Securing the Crime Scene The next step should be securing the crime scene. Access to the crime scene should be restricted because anyone entering the crime scene can alter the evidence or the crime scene. First responders should protect the crime scene as first as possible using tapes, vehicles or any physical barriers.

One officer can then be assigned duty as the security officer to prevent entrance into the scene (Miller, 2003). Crime Scene Survey The next step is a crime scene survey. A crime scene investigator has the role of first conducting a preliminary scene survey or a preliminary evaluation. This evaluation requires the investigator to mentally prepare himself for a reconstruction theory that can be used later to interpret information from the crime scene. This can change as the investigation progresses.

The investigator should note any kind of evidences that need protection or processing. He or she should also note the weather conditions, analyse its effects on the crime scene, and take precautions. The investigator should record all information of the initial survey indicating observations on what, who, where, and how issues (Miller, 2003; ForensicTalk, 2006). Crime Scene Documentation After a preliminary evaluation, it is important to document the crime scene’s condition. The main aim of crime scene documentation is to have permanent records about the condition and physical evidence of the crime scene.

There are four main tasks in this step; photography, note taking, videography and sketching of the scene. Note taking: These are written records of crime scene activities. These notes are made alongside crime scene activities. This is to prevent any memory loss in case the notes are taken later. Notes taken should include notification information, scene description, victim description, the crime scene team with a description of each team member’s role, and information about how, when, and with whom the officer arrived with at the scene.

It should also have similar information on who was present at the scene (Miller, 2003; ForensicTalk, 2006). Documentation using Videotaping: Videotaping has received wide acceptance due to increased affordability and availability of equipment used, the three dimensional portrayal of the scene and the investigation supportive features such as compact size and zoom lenses. It is also accepted by the jury as a reliable documentation procedure. Videography follows crime scene survey. The process of videotaping should be objective with no audio discussion or narration included.

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