What Are the Proper Steps in a Crime Investigation?

CSI Profile: Investigating the Crime Scene

Given the proximity of the time of death to the neighbor's call, a 'hot search' would be deployed. This means that the search would be conducted with the assumption that the perpetrator of the crime might still be on the premises. Although there was no information or eyewitness accounts about the individual possibly lurking in the bushes or lingering in the area, the possibility that he (or she) might still be presents warrants caution ("Crime scene search and processing," 2015). Once it has been determined the scene is safe, then the investigators can begin to take the necessary photographs. "Photographs should be taken as soon as possible, to depict the scene as it is observed before anything is handled, moved, or initiated into the scene" ("Crime scene search and processing," 2015).

The first photographs involve panoramic-type shots of the whole crime scene ("Snapping up the evidence," 2012). They give a sense of where the crime was committed (in the individual's home), under what circumstances, and the type of crime. The second type of photo involves mid-range shots. These will show, for example, the proximity of the victim to the weapon, how the weapon was positioned, and also the different points of entry ("Snapping up the evidence," 2012). The final photos include close-ups of the actual crime and other vital aspects of the homicide. Diagrams and sketches are also required to demonstrate the specific length and diameters of entry and exit wounds, where the body was found, and the position and relationship of different items.

First responders play a vital role in securing a crime scene. Officers must secure the scene to minimize contamination. "Perishable evidence such as trace evidence and blood evidence need to be collected as quickly as possible" ("Crime scene response," 2006). Investigators must also ensure that they do not inadvertently contaminate the scene. "Be sure to use the proper protective clothing. Change gloves and booties frequently. Collect your booties in a paper sack and send them for processing in case they have any evidence on them. One thing that can make the process easier is a staging area" (Warrington 2011). A special tent for changing ensures that all possible interference with the evidence spanning from fibers to bodily fluids is kept out of the way of investigators. It is essential that only authorized personnel that know how to preserve evidence are allowed on the premises, to ensure that no evidence is damaged, removed, or tampered with. Even the appearance of tampering could be a potential point of contention in a future court case. And for fragile evidence such as fingerprints and blood, the most minimal errors can result in identification problems. "Collecting fingerprints at a crime scene requires very few materials, making it ideal from a cost standpoint. All non-movable items at a crime scene should be processed at the scene using gray powder, black powder, or black magnetic powder" (Schiro 2015, "Collection"). Casts should be made of shoe prints as soon as possible, to improve the likelihood of an exact match.

The first priority of a first responder is to take care of any medical needs of victims; in this instance, since the victim was dead on arrival, the focus shifts to ensuring that all possible evidence is made available for future investigation and prosecution. "Keep in mind that it is always better to secure a larger area than you need. You can always shrink the perimeter once you begin processing, but you can't expand it. In fact, if you do extract evidence from outside of the area you originally secured for your scene, that evidence will be considered questionable in court" (Warrington 2011). The fact that there are no victims in medical distress means that there is no excuse for a thorough securing and searching of the area.

The most obvious components of the evidence include the victim's blood, the shell casings from the gun that evidently killed him, and the baseball bat he appeared to use to defend himself. "Bullets and casings found at the crime scene can be positively matched back to a gun in the possession of a suspect. Bullets and casings can also be examined at the crime lab and sometimes tell an investigator what make and model of weapons may have expended the casing or bullet" (Schiro 2015, "Collection"). Tracing the weapon back to the assailant is one of the most valuable method of tracking down the perpetrator, particularly if blood, fingerprints, and other physical evidence (such as clothing fibers or fingernails) also connect him to the scene. Firearms must be rendered safe and then sent back to the crime lab to be dusted for fingerprints and other identifiers such as blood. Based upon the evidence, it seems as if the perpetrator was attempting to steal the victim's Mustang (there is a bloody handprint on the vehicle). The victim was asleep at the time, likely rushed out brandishing a baseball bat to defend himself, and then was shot dead by the person attempting to steal the car, who then left the premises without the vehicle.