, OVM3702
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 2
2026
DUE AUGUST 2026
SECTION A: QUESTION 1
1.1 Immediate Actions on Arrival at a Murder Crime Scene
Upon arrival at a murder crime scene, the first responding officer must undertake a series of urgent
and systematic actions. The primary objectives are to preserve life, secure the scene, and prevent
the contamination or loss of evidence (Gardner and Bevel, 2009).
The immediate priority is to assess whether the victim is alive or deceased. If the victim shows signs
of life, emergency medical services must be summoned immediately, and life-saving measures
should be administered without unnecessary disturbance to the scene (Osterburg and Ward, 2014).
Any actions taken to preserve life must be thoroughly documented, as they may alter the original
condition of the scene (Fisher and Fisher, 2012).
Simultaneously, the officer must identify and, if possible, apprehend any suspects present at or
fleeing from the scene. This is crucial to prevent the destruction of evidence and to ensure public
safety (Horswell, 2004). Witnesses must be identified, separated, and detained to prevent collusion,
and their initial accounts should be recorded as soon as practicable (Chisum and Turvey, 2011).
The establishment of a secure perimeter is the next critical step. The officer must cordon off the
area using barrier tape or any available materials, ensuring that the perimeter is large enough to
encompass all potential evidence, including access and egress routes (Gardner and Bevel, 2009). A
single controlled entry point should be established, and all persons entering or leaving the scene
must be logged (Fisher and Fisher, 2012). The telephone at the scene should not be used, as this
may compromise evidence or interfere with the investigation (Osterburg and Ward, 2014).
Finally, the first officer must immediately notify the relevant supervisory and investigative
personnel, including the crime scene unit and the coroner or medical examiner (Horswell, 2004). A
preliminary log of all actions taken and observations made must be commenced, as this forms the
foundation of the scene management record (Chisum and Turvey, 2011).
, 1.2 Protecting, Processing, and Collecting Physical Evidence
The protection and processing of a murder crime scene require meticulous planning, systematic
methodology, and strict adherence to forensic protocols to ensure that all physical evidence is
preserved, documented, and collected without contamination (Fisher and Fisher, 2012).
Scene Protection and Contamination Control
Once the initial perimeter is established, the scene must be continuously protected. Only
authorised personnel with a legitimate investigative role should be permitted entry, and all entries
and exits must be recorded in a scene log (Gardner and Bevel, 2009). Protective clothing, including
gloves, shoe covers, and masks, must be worn by all personnel to prevent contamination of the
scene and cross-contamination of evidence (Osterburg and Ward, 2014). The scene should be
considered a "sterile" environment, and movement within it should be minimised and confined to
designated pathways (Horswell, 2004).
Systematic Processing and Documentation
Before any evidence is collected, a thorough and systematic documentation of the scene must be
undertaken. This includes still photography, videography, detailed sketches, and written notes that
record the exact position, condition, and relationship of all items within the scene (Fisher and
Fisher, 2012). The photographic record must include overview, mid-range, and close-up images,
with scales placed beside individual items of evidence (Gardner and Bevel, 2009). A sketch, either
rough or to scale, should accurately depict the dimensions of the scene, the location of the body,
and the positions of all evidence (Chisum and Turvey, 2011).
Search Methods and Evidence Collection
A systematic search of the scene is then conducted using recognised methodologies such as the
grid, spiral, strip/line, or quadrant search patterns, depending on the size and nature of the scene
(Osterburg and Ward, 2014). All physical evidence, including biological fluids, fingerprints, footwear
impressions, trace evidence, and weapons, must be located, documented, and collected (Horswell,
2004).
Packaging, Labelling, and Chain of Custody
Each item of evidence must be properly packaged according to its type. For example, biological
evidence should be placed in breathable paper bags to prevent moisture degradation, while sharp
or fragile items require rigid containers (Fisher and Fisher, 2012). Each package must be sealed,
labelled with the case number, date, time, location, collector's name, and a description of the item,
and signed across the seal to ensure tamper-proof integrity (Gardner and Bevel, 2009). A
continuous chain of custody must be maintained, documenting every transfer of evidence from the
scene to the laboratory, to ensure admissibility in court (Chisum and Turvey, 2011).
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 2
2026
DUE AUGUST 2026
SECTION A: QUESTION 1
1.1 Immediate Actions on Arrival at a Murder Crime Scene
Upon arrival at a murder crime scene, the first responding officer must undertake a series of urgent
and systematic actions. The primary objectives are to preserve life, secure the scene, and prevent
the contamination or loss of evidence (Gardner and Bevel, 2009).
The immediate priority is to assess whether the victim is alive or deceased. If the victim shows signs
of life, emergency medical services must be summoned immediately, and life-saving measures
should be administered without unnecessary disturbance to the scene (Osterburg and Ward, 2014).
Any actions taken to preserve life must be thoroughly documented, as they may alter the original
condition of the scene (Fisher and Fisher, 2012).
Simultaneously, the officer must identify and, if possible, apprehend any suspects present at or
fleeing from the scene. This is crucial to prevent the destruction of evidence and to ensure public
safety (Horswell, 2004). Witnesses must be identified, separated, and detained to prevent collusion,
and their initial accounts should be recorded as soon as practicable (Chisum and Turvey, 2011).
The establishment of a secure perimeter is the next critical step. The officer must cordon off the
area using barrier tape or any available materials, ensuring that the perimeter is large enough to
encompass all potential evidence, including access and egress routes (Gardner and Bevel, 2009). A
single controlled entry point should be established, and all persons entering or leaving the scene
must be logged (Fisher and Fisher, 2012). The telephone at the scene should not be used, as this
may compromise evidence or interfere with the investigation (Osterburg and Ward, 2014).
Finally, the first officer must immediately notify the relevant supervisory and investigative
personnel, including the crime scene unit and the coroner or medical examiner (Horswell, 2004). A
preliminary log of all actions taken and observations made must be commenced, as this forms the
foundation of the scene management record (Chisum and Turvey, 2011).
, 1.2 Protecting, Processing, and Collecting Physical Evidence
The protection and processing of a murder crime scene require meticulous planning, systematic
methodology, and strict adherence to forensic protocols to ensure that all physical evidence is
preserved, documented, and collected without contamination (Fisher and Fisher, 2012).
Scene Protection and Contamination Control
Once the initial perimeter is established, the scene must be continuously protected. Only
authorised personnel with a legitimate investigative role should be permitted entry, and all entries
and exits must be recorded in a scene log (Gardner and Bevel, 2009). Protective clothing, including
gloves, shoe covers, and masks, must be worn by all personnel to prevent contamination of the
scene and cross-contamination of evidence (Osterburg and Ward, 2014). The scene should be
considered a "sterile" environment, and movement within it should be minimised and confined to
designated pathways (Horswell, 2004).
Systematic Processing and Documentation
Before any evidence is collected, a thorough and systematic documentation of the scene must be
undertaken. This includes still photography, videography, detailed sketches, and written notes that
record the exact position, condition, and relationship of all items within the scene (Fisher and
Fisher, 2012). The photographic record must include overview, mid-range, and close-up images,
with scales placed beside individual items of evidence (Gardner and Bevel, 2009). A sketch, either
rough or to scale, should accurately depict the dimensions of the scene, the location of the body,
and the positions of all evidence (Chisum and Turvey, 2011).
Search Methods and Evidence Collection
A systematic search of the scene is then conducted using recognised methodologies such as the
grid, spiral, strip/line, or quadrant search patterns, depending on the size and nature of the scene
(Osterburg and Ward, 2014). All physical evidence, including biological fluids, fingerprints, footwear
impressions, trace evidence, and weapons, must be located, documented, and collected (Horswell,
2004).
Packaging, Labelling, and Chain of Custody
Each item of evidence must be properly packaged according to its type. For example, biological
evidence should be placed in breathable paper bags to prevent moisture degradation, while sharp
or fragile items require rigid containers (Fisher and Fisher, 2012). Each package must be sealed,
labelled with the case number, date, time, location, collector's name, and a description of the item,
and signed across the seal to ensure tamper-proof integrity (Gardner and Bevel, 2009). A
continuous chain of custody must be maintained, documenting every transfer of evidence from the
scene to the laboratory, to ensure admissibility in court (Chisum and Turvey, 2011).
