Crime scene examination

Question 1

What is the objectives of a crime scene examination

Answer 1

• Defences (exclude possible)
• Establish if offence has been committed
• Corroborate or contest witness and victim accounts
• Identify the Suspect and establish his contact with the scene or victim
• Establish offence key elements and provide facts for basis of enquiry
• Verify admissions and confessions
• Exonerate the innocent
• Identify people associated with the offence
• Corroborate or exclude the other evidence relating to the offence or incident

Question 2

What is the responsibilities of OC scene/Crime scene manager

Answer 2

• Control, freeze, preserve the scene and ensuring it is safe
• Brief attending staff
• Uplifting, inspecting and ensuring delivery of labelled exhibit to exhibit recorder
• Establish a common approach path from police cordon to scene focal point
• Proving relevant exhibits in court
• Planning a strategy for forensic examination
• Coordinating and overseeing the crime scene examination
• Providing a communication link between the scene and the oc investigation
• Conducting a reconnaissance to gain an overall picture of the scene and testing possible reconstructions
• Ensure the scene photographed, fingerprinted and examined by specialists before it is searched

Question 3

Scene Examination Process

Answer 3

1. Reconnaissance
2. Formulate strategy
3. Actions taken prior
4. Conduct crime scene examination
5. Actions taken after

Question 4

Definition reconnaissance

Answer 4

A reconnaissance is the preliminary or survey made to get an overall picture of the scene without disturbing the evidence.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a reconnaissance?

Answer 5

Is to allow you to make of formulate:

• a preliminary reconstruction
• an appreciation
• a plan of action

Question 6

Steps of reconnaissance

Answer 6

1. Gather information available
2. Create a common approach path
3. Sketch the scene
4. Note anything – weather / forensic
5. Reconsider scene boundaries
6. Consider hot / warm / cold zones

Question 7

What should the Crime Scene Examination Plan (Forensic Strategy) cover?

Answer 7

Starting place (PoE) 
Likelihood of evidence deteriorating 
Any specialists required 
Placement of hot warm cold zones 
Search method - logical and systematic
Recording system (exhibit schedules / inventories / job sheets) 
Individual tasks/responsibilities 
Protection methods for ensuring no contamination 
Exhibit handling

Question 8

Minimising contamination risks

Answer 8

• Preserve and control the scene
• Records of personal attending and examining
• Ensure exhibit integrity
• Stepping plates
• Obtain elimination foot / finger prints and DNA
• Avoid examining associated crime scenes
• Keep scene activity and seizure records
• Use protective clothing
• Use new and clean packaging material

Question 9

Actions prior to attending scene

Answer 9

• Cordons have been set up
• Legal requirements
• Additional O/C appointed (scenes, body etc)
• Specialists have been contacted
• Staff members have been briefed
• Equipment sent or requested
• Sufficient staffing

Question 10

Actions prior to leaving the scene

Answer 10

• Ensure all uplifted exhibits are packaged and labelled correctly
• Ensure the scene is secure
• Ensure the scene guard is in place and has been briefed
• Make contact with the O/C Investigation to ensure they are aware you are leaving the scene and have no further instructions for you before leaving