Introduction to forensic science- CSI

Crime scene investigation-week 2

Responsibility’s of a crime scene coordinator (SOCO)
 Numerous responsibilities
 Confirm a crime has been committed
 Not always easy to do;
 Body found
 Window broken
 A scene assessment should provide evidence to support suspicion
 Preservation the scene;
 Spend time assessing and recording the scene
 Will delay examination
 But will ensure that delicate or vulnerable evidence is safeguarded
 Identify key evidence areas;
 Usually areas of the scene where an offender has been
 Point of entry and point of entry-special attention
 Identify key evidence types;
 locate evidence that may identify offenders
 All evidence will be treated equally during the initial phases
 Record all evidence;
 Photographs
 Videos
 3D scanners
 Sketches
 Notes
 Recover all evidence;
 Evidence will be recovered
 Is there a legitimate reason for it being there
 Elimination process
 Complete all documentation to demonstrate chain of custody and integrity
 Package and store evidence
 Protects items of evidence
 Minimises degradation
 Tamper is evident
 Brief investigating officer
 Inform of potential evidence types
 Verbal
 Electronic
 Document form
 Prepare statements of evidence
 Complete and sign a witness statement
 May be long and complex
 Important to make notes whilst on the scene
 Present evidence before court
 God evidence collection/recording processes should make this process less stressful
 Demonstrate continuity and integrity
Locard’s principle (exchange)
 One way transfer-useful
Suspect-scene
 Two way transfer-conclusive
Scene-suspect, suspect-scene