Processing the Crime Scene and Establishing Identity - Essay Example

Processing the Crime Scene and Establishing Identity The crime scene happened inside a bungalow located at the end street of a peaceful and upscale suburb. The crime scene involves two (2) dead white females who obtained multiple stab wounds. There was no force entry into the house and nothing of value was missing since the wallets recovered which contains the identification and money of the deceased have not been taken; also the jewelry box containing an assortment of valuable jewelries are still in the premises thereby ruling out burglary as the motive for the crime committed.

The assessment for this crime scene will involve five (5) basic crime scene protocols as follows: 1) interview, 2) examine, 3) photograph, 4) sketch and 5) process. The interview is the preliminary step taken by the crime scene technician who interrogates first officers on the crime scene to allege what actually transpired, how the crime may have been committed and the type of crime involved. The second step which is examine usually supplements or adds to the initial observation of the crime scene technician.

This step comprises of collecting evidences, analyzing the exit and entry points, and sizing up the general layout of the entire crime scene. Photographing is the third step in assessing a crime scene, where evidences as well as general views of the location is taken on film; so that a pictorial review can be done to evaluate how the area of crime actually looks like. Next is the sketch – where a rough draft or drawing is done by the crime scene technician to indicate the actual layout of the crime scene and the location of the bodies including the murder weapon and any other evidences related to the case.

Last but not the least in the examination of a crime scene is the process. This stage entails the crime scene technician to collect all evidences, testimonial and physical. Generally, the five steps blend together with each other during the investigation; all evidences are forwarded to a crime laboratory for more analysis (Baldwin). In relation to the five steps in examining a crime scene, it is essential to note that all cases differ from each other and would need different forms of approaches and techniques depending on the complexity of the crime committed.

Some items collected for evidence may require specialized processing. Thus handling evidences necessitates proper packaging, labeling and recording. It is likewise important to keep personnel handling evidences at a minimum for a more effective management of the entire crime scene; and so that lesser people are obliged to appear in court later to testify. Processing a crime scene needs a well-though out procedure with every personnel having an eye for detail. The reason for this is that a range of evidences collected must be justifiable and credible so that it can stand up in court, and garner the desired outcome for the case (Warrington).

The authorized individuals or people at a crime scene include police officers, the CSI Unit, The District Attorney, the medical examiner, detectives and specialists. Police officers are usually the first official responders at the crime scene and are responsible for securing the area so that no evidence can be tampered with. If the perpetrator is at the scene then the police officers will arrest him/her, also they are accountable for calling an ambulance if needed. The CSI Unit has the task of collecting evidences and documenting every detail of the crime scene.

The DA or District Attorney is always present to assist the investigators should a search warrant be needed and get it from a judge. If the case is a homicide, the medical examiner is needed to establish the cause of death. Detectives work in tandem with the CSI unit in interviewing witnesses. Their work includes following leads given by witnesses and investigating physical evidences collected therein. The specialist (forensic experts, etc.) may be required at the crime scene to provide expert analysis and recommendations (Layton).

Works Cited Baldwin, Hayden B. Crime Scene Processing Protocol. n.d. Web. 22 July 2011. . Layton, Julia. How Crime Scene Investigation Works. n.d. Web. 23 July 2011. . Warrington, Dick. Preparation and Crime Scene Processing. Forensic Magazine. n.d. Web 23 July 2011. .