In addition to the interviews or even the interrogations the investigator needs to have a positive attitude, sensitivity and be able to think clearly when it comes time to collect evidence at the scene of the crime. Once this evidence is collected, the investigator will need to carefully transport the evidence collected to labs where it will be examined by professional specialists (forensic pathologists, DNA specialist or a finger print technician). In a rape case, some evidence could be skin under the victim’s
Criminalistics is the science used to help understand the evidence in crimes. Evidence used in criminalistics can include biological evidence, trace evidence, impression evidence, controlled substances and ballistics. Biological evidence is usually bodily fluids such as semen and blood. Trace evidence are items like hair and fibers. Impression evidence are items like foot prints, impressions
FEBRUARY 3, 2013 INVESTIGATIVES METHODOLOGY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE A crime laboratory - often shortened to crime lab - is a scientific laboratory, using primarily forensic science for the purpose of examining evidence from criminal cases. These labs generally use forensic science to examine evidences. After examination, they provide reports and opinion testimony. The testimony and reports are presented before a court of law. In the U.S., crime laboratories are operated both at public and private levels.
There are also specific photographs that need to be taken at the crime scene to ensure a couple different things. One that the crime scene can be reconstructed and two that the crimes can be linked back to a suspect. Once this has been done it is important to know if the computer is on a linked network or not and whether you should shut down the computer. There are also certain circumstances that make forensic evidence inadmissible in court and this is important to know so that procedure is followed to ensure all evidence will stick to a suspect. When it comes to a crime scene investigator there are certain things they can and can not do in regards to a body at the crime scene.
The crime scene technician must interview the first officer at the scene or the victim to ascertain the "theory" of the case. Basically what allegedly happened, what crime took place, and how was the crime committed. This information may not be factual information but it will give the crime scene technician a base from which to start. Examine the crime scene as the second step in the protocol. Examine the scene for what?
Emma Yates UNIT 39: From Crime Scene to Court It is the job of the FSI to find and collect evidence left behind by offenders on the crime scene. Using the latest forensic techniques they look for all sorts of evidence. The FSIs follow several procedures. To stop potential evidence being destroyed, lost or contaminated they preserve and protect the crime scene. FSIs then start to work with the investigating officers.
Forensics Photography Forensic photography is also called crime scene photography. Investigators and prosecutors need accurate images of various aspects of the location where a crime has occurred. This is where forensic photography comes to play. The photographer may be required to take pictures of corpses of murder victims, clues, murder weapons, etc. Forensic photography jobs are appealing to people who have good eye for detail and are very precise in the art of photography.
You may also be assisted by the fluids left behind in a crime scene by developing a picture of how it took place. Being secure good samples to be tested is key collection and storage
This will allow Investigators to find trace amounts of chemicals found at the crime scene and on the body. The next technique is “Mass Spectrometry”. Mass Spectrometry measures the mass of molecules. It is a more advanced type of Toxicology because it finds even the smallest trace of poison. Both Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry can help with the collection of evidence from a crime scene that could not be collected at the
Careful, thorough investigation is key to ensuring+ the potential physical evidence is not tainted or destroyed or potential witnesses overlooked. I am sure many agencies have programs in crime scene processing, the level of training and resources available varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.” (Reno, 2000) Assembling a set of guidelines and conducting preliminary investigation for criminal cases are best described by the FBI. The initial responding officer(s) shall promptly, yet cautiously, approach and enter crime scenes, remaining observant of any persons, vehicles, events, potential evidence, and environmental conditions. A FBI report issued in 2005 details that general crimes are outlined into three graduated levels of investigative activity. These activities are the checking of initial leads, preliminary inquiries, and full investigations.