2021-23 Unit 23 LAA Investigating a Crime Scene
This crime scene investigation report as a trainee technician working for the British Transport
Police’s Scientific Support Unit. This report contains methods of evidence collection,
evaluation of those methods, etc looking at simulated crime scenes.
Before entering the crime scene and making a risk assessment, PEE was worn to protect
the officers as well as the evidence. Part of PPE includes face masks, goggles, latex gloves,
plastic shoe covers and a hazmat suit. After that, we had to make a risk assessment before
entering the crime scene. During this time, we had to draw sketches, make notes on the
overview of the crime scene, take pictures of the crime scene and figure out the best search
pattern to follow to collect all the evidence.
Risk assessment of the crime scene to ensure health and safety needs are met
Figure 1 shows a risk assessment
Part B.P3
Justification/evaluation of health and safety
The FAO was already on the site when we arrived; they conducted an initial assessment (to
ensure health and safety for themselves and the SOCO) of the situation and dealt with any
problems that arose. Any individuals already present at the location, including witnesses and
suspected, were arrested and detained for questioning.
This risk assessment helped me and the other trainees to stay safe at the simulated crime
scene and to take precautions towards certain risks. It also helped to make sure that it was
safe to proceed with the crime scene investigation. Some risks prevented at the scene were
the dead body, blood, broken glass and white powder. The blood and the dead body were
biological hazards that can affect the health of the personnel, this can be avoided by wearing
PPE and getting vaccinated to prevent getting diseases. The white powder is most likely to
be drugs or dangerous chemical substances, so PPE like face masks, goggles and gloves
must be worn to prevent direct contact as well as preventing inhalation of the powder. The
broken glass is a hazard because it can cut the skin and cause infections as well as enter in
the eyes and cause eye injuries. This can be prevented by using tweezers, which minimises
the risk of getting cuts in the skin and wearing goggles to prevent the pieces of glass from
entering the eyes.
Part B.M3
, 2021-23 Unit 23 LAA Investigating a Crime Scene
Documentation of practical activities:
Cordon log
The cordon log is not done just by the SOCO, but all officers or people entering and leaving
at the crime scene. Their full name, time and date, if they enter or leave, their agency (their
company name) and other things. The cordon log is important as it supports the continuity of
evidence and prevents any contamination in the future. For the criminal investigation we
were performing, we had to write down names and other things on the cordon log. The
image below shows what our cordon log looked like.
Figure 2 shows a cordon log
Crime scene notes
Notes are taken mainly by the SOCO’s. The notes they create are a summary of information
about evidence at the scene of the crime.
Figure 3 shows the crime scene notes
This crime scene investigation report as a trainee technician working for the British Transport
Police’s Scientific Support Unit. This report contains methods of evidence collection,
evaluation of those methods, etc looking at simulated crime scenes.
Before entering the crime scene and making a risk assessment, PEE was worn to protect
the officers as well as the evidence. Part of PPE includes face masks, goggles, latex gloves,
plastic shoe covers and a hazmat suit. After that, we had to make a risk assessment before
entering the crime scene. During this time, we had to draw sketches, make notes on the
overview of the crime scene, take pictures of the crime scene and figure out the best search
pattern to follow to collect all the evidence.
Risk assessment of the crime scene to ensure health and safety needs are met
Figure 1 shows a risk assessment
Part B.P3
Justification/evaluation of health and safety
The FAO was already on the site when we arrived; they conducted an initial assessment (to
ensure health and safety for themselves and the SOCO) of the situation and dealt with any
problems that arose. Any individuals already present at the location, including witnesses and
suspected, were arrested and detained for questioning.
This risk assessment helped me and the other trainees to stay safe at the simulated crime
scene and to take precautions towards certain risks. It also helped to make sure that it was
safe to proceed with the crime scene investigation. Some risks prevented at the scene were
the dead body, blood, broken glass and white powder. The blood and the dead body were
biological hazards that can affect the health of the personnel, this can be avoided by wearing
PPE and getting vaccinated to prevent getting diseases. The white powder is most likely to
be drugs or dangerous chemical substances, so PPE like face masks, goggles and gloves
must be worn to prevent direct contact as well as preventing inhalation of the powder. The
broken glass is a hazard because it can cut the skin and cause infections as well as enter in
the eyes and cause eye injuries. This can be prevented by using tweezers, which minimises
the risk of getting cuts in the skin and wearing goggles to prevent the pieces of glass from
entering the eyes.
Part B.M3
, 2021-23 Unit 23 LAA Investigating a Crime Scene
Documentation of practical activities:
Cordon log
The cordon log is not done just by the SOCO, but all officers or people entering and leaving
at the crime scene. Their full name, time and date, if they enter or leave, their agency (their
company name) and other things. The cordon log is important as it supports the continuity of
evidence and prevents any contamination in the future. For the criminal investigation we
were performing, we had to write down names and other things on the cordon log. The
image below shows what our cordon log looked like.
Figure 2 shows a cordon log
Crime scene notes
Notes are taken mainly by the SOCO’s. The notes they create are a summary of information
about evidence at the scene of the crime.
Figure 3 shows the crime scene notes
