Crime Scene Management

The Importance of Effective Crime Scene Management
The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the relevant literature to explain the importance of securing crime scenes in order to protect evidence from contamination and preserve it for use by the courts. In addition, a discussion concerning different methods that might be necessary to document evidence at a crime scene and different collection methods that might be used at a crime scene is followed by an explanation concerning the chain of custody and why it is important. Finally, the repercussions of failing to protect evidence or establish chain of custody is followed by an explanation concerning how an investigator or forensic expert differentiates between what is or is not evidence. A summary of the research and key findings concerning the foregoing issues are presented in the paper’s conclusion.
Review and Discussion
Why it is important to secure the crime scene and salient examples
The most important reason for securing a crime scene is to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of law enforcement and other first responders are protected. A second important reason for securing crime scenes is to prevent the contamination of any evidence that might be available (Almirall, Ballou, Carroll et al., 2013). For example, there may still be criminal suspects in crime scene that could represent a threat to first responders or there may be hazardous materials such as biological or radiological weapons or chemical threats that would endanger first responders but which must still be preserved as evidence to avoid contamination (Almirall et al., 2013) as discussed further below
Identify possible ways that evidence might be contaminated
There are multiple ways that evidence might be contaminated at a crime scene depending on the type of evidence that is involved. For instance, emergency medical responders’ (EMS’) first priority is to protect the medical rights and wellbeing of any injured victims of a crime and evidence may be contaminated in the process of providing this emergency medical care (Casey & Burke, 2009). In fact, Casey and Burke (2009) emphasize that, “To an EMS provider, all aspects of a crime scene, other than steps to ensure personnel safety, are secondary considerations to treatment of the injured victim” (2009, p. 98). Conversely, law enforcement authorities are also concerning with the safety but are also focused on preserving evidence at the crime scene (Casey & Burke, 2009).
Likewise, evidence can also be inadvertently contaminated by even the most conscientious forensic investigators when trace materials such as fibers, hairs, or soil are involved (Richards, 6.1). For example, according to Richards, “Any postincident contact that transfers hairs and fibers between the victim and suspect will render the evidence useless in court” (6.1). In addition, in the event that digital data is involved, there are also various ways that evidence can be contaminated. For instance, according to Richards, “Data, and electronic evidence in general, is fragile. Any use of a digital device has the potential to damage or destroy data. This may be accidental or intentional” (3.1).
Identify different methods that might be necessary to document evidence at a crime scene
The methods that are used to document crime scene evidence may vary according to jurisdiction, the main method is the use of a personal notebook that conforms to certain guidelines, including being bound with sequentially numbered pages that prevent pages from being removed without detection. In this regard, Gehl (2019) points out that, “Although other documents will be created by the investigator to manage the crime scene, no other document will be as important to the investigator as the notebook. The notebook is the investigator’s personal reference for recording the investigation” (para. 3). The courts have accepted testimony based on the information contained in these types of notebooks provided that crime scene investigators ensure their entries include the date, time and case reference (Gehl, 2019).
Identify different collection methods that might be used at a crime scene.
Just as there are different ways for evidence to be contaminated, there are also a number of different ways to collect it. For example, commercially available DNA kits can help facilitate the collection of this type of crime scene evidence (Richards, 6.1). In addition, trace evidence such as fibers or hairs can be collected using sterile tweezers while wall paint must be scraped and collected in this fashion (Richards, 6.1).
Explain chain of custody and why it is important
The chain of custody refers to locating, securing and transporting evidence in ways that preclude any tampering. Moreover, the term and its importance are applicable to every type of forensic evidence. In this regard, Richards stresses that, “Chain of custody applies to every kind of evidence, and it must document who handled the evidence, who analyzed it, how it was treated, what preparation was done to it before packaging, and where it was stored” (5.4).
Identify the repercussions of failure to protect evidence or establish chain of custody
Even the most otherwise-damning evidence may become worthless for the purposes of the criminal justice system if the chain of custody is broken at any point. For example, Richards emphasizes that, “Any breaks in the chain of custody can result in the evidence being inadmissible in court” (5.4).
Explain how an investigator or forensic expert differentiates between what is or is not evidence
Although professional training can help identify various types of evidence at a crime scene, every crime scene is unique in some fashion and forensic experts must therefore also rely on empirical observations , experience and intuition to ensure that no evidence is overlooked (Almirall et al., 2013).
Conclusion
At first blush, securing a crime scene sounds like a straightforward enterprise. The research, however, was consistent in showing that there are a number of factors that must be taken into account when securing a crime scene, including most especially the safety and wellbeing of first responders and crime victims. Securing a crime scene is also important in order to protect evidence from contamination and it is essential that the integrity of the chain of custody remain unbroken during the pendency of an investigation and court proceedings, otherwise such evidence may become inadmissible.
References
Almirall, J. R., Ballou, S., Carroll, P. et al. (2013, September). Crime scene investigation: A guide for law enforcement. Largo, FL: National Forensic Science Technology Center.
Casey, J. & Burke, T. (2009, June). Police and EMS. Law & Order, 51(6), 97-101.
Gehl, R. (2019). Crime scene management. Introduction to Criminal Investigations. Retrieved from https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/criminalinvestigation/chapter/chapter-8-crime-scene-management/.
Florida International University, National Forensic Science Technology Center. (n.d.). Crime scene investigation guide. Retrieved from https://www.nfstc.org/products/crime-scene-investigation-guide/.
Richards, G. E. Chapters 3, 5 and 6.