Why Is Unit 39 Important In Criminal Investigation

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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. The FSI will find out what evidence they need to help the investigation. What you need to know before entering a crime scene. Initial responding officers are the individuals most susceptible to dangers within a crime scene. They are required to verify the nature of the incident, secure the crime scene, locate victim and/or…show more content…
You need to have a solid understanding of the proper way to take a photograph of a scene. Diagrams and sketches: Sketches are a permanent record and capture the scene in a way written notes and photographs cant. During a trial, the crime scene sketch correlates the testimony of witnesses. * Overview sketch – consists of birds eye view or floor plan sketch. * Elevation sketch – portrays a vertical plane rather than horizontal for things such as bloodstain patterns. * Exploded view – consists of a combination of the first two sketches. * Perspective sketch – depicts the scene or item of interest in a 3-dimensional sketch. Writing a crime scene report: Identify the crime, included the time and place of the crime (provide the address), include the names and contact information of everyone involved, describe the scene (as above), describe injuries that were sustained and organize the report in an appropriate manner.…show more content…
Make sure you have all equipment needed and make sure you know how to use it before processing the crime scene. Collection methods: When a large mound of evidence needs recovering then you must remove the entire object, for small particulates use a vacuum. Scrape dried samples on none absorbent surfaces and cut dried samples on porous surfaces and swap wet samples. You must cast footprints, tool marks and teeth impressions. Use tape to tape lift hairs, fibres, paints, particulates and prints. Use a pipette to collect wet, pooled samples. Brushing can be used for particulates or large amount of debris and digging can be used to recover buried items or seepage. You can hand pick larger (macroscopic) items. Package and storage of evidence Blood in liquid pools should be picked up on a gauze pad or clean sterile cotton cloth and allowed to dry at room temperature. It should be refrigerated or frozen and taken to the lab as soon as possible. Never attempt to wipe dried stains from an object, any clothing or objects with dried blood stains should be packaged and labelled and sent to the lab. On large objects blood should be scraped off using appropriate tools and envelope should be sealed and
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