¶ … crime scenes in this case. What are they? The first scene can be called the trap and stop scene, starting from the point at which the raiders driving the car with the faulty light lured the lorry into slowing down by posing as a party in need of help. When the lorry slowed, the drivers of the 4x4 cut off the lorry and purposely caused the accident and the full stop. At this point, the lorry itself becomes a primary crime scene both in terms of the assault and later, during the hijacking and larceny.

The second scene takes place in the field as Philip and Alison are separated and kidnapped. There are actually three fields of evidence and thus three individual crimes scenes under the same rubric: the 4x4, the vehicle with the broken taillight, and the exterior surrounding areas. Philip was placed in the 4x4 and Alison in the other vehicle. Prior to being forced inside the vehicle, though, Alison put up a struggle on the ground, which is the only scene of investigation until the two vehicles are located.

Finally, the derelict building provides the third general crime scene and the one in which the actual theft of the content of the crates had taken place. The derelict building could be a hideout of sorts, and is where Alison and Philip were taken after they were kidnapped.

2. The first crime scene involves a large number of opportunities for the detection of trace evidence. The driver's side window had been smashed with a metal bar, which could have been the same weapon used to assault Philip later on. Two men opened the doors to the cab: both the passenger and driver's side doors may therefore contain trace evidence including fingerprints and possible hair or fibers. It should be noted that any blood to be found on the passenger cab door is likely to be Alison's, but could be analyzed anyway.

3. During the unloading of the lorry, the potential for transfer of trace evidence is high at several points. At least one of the raiders needed to have aided in the process of raising the roller shutter tailgate and lifting the tail before they discovered the crates inside. These actions required points of contact and even if the raider had been gloved, there would be trace evidence on points of contact such as fibers....

Because of the size of the crates, the raiders needed to open them while they were still housed inside the lorry. This offers ample opportunity for depositing trace evidence: everything from fingerprints and hair to clothing fibers and footprints. Alison's mobile phone had most likely been taken by one of the raiders and could potentially be traced. Given there was a stench of cigarettes in the cab after the raid, it is highly likely that investigators might find a butt with further trace evidence and possibly DNA.
4. In the field, footprints and tire tracks will provide some helpful trace evidence indicating the sequence of events as well as potentially helping investigators identify the make and models of the cars for accurate tracking. There are many areas where trace evidence could be located: particularly in the original location of the car when it was waiting on the side of the road with the bonnet up, the area where the car first pulled out, and the second area where the car pulled over the wait for the other raider to start the lorry. At the field scene, footprints might help investigators identify the shoe size and type. During the struggle between Alison and the raiders, there would likely have been some trace evidence: hair, clothing fibers, and perhaps even blood. After Alison was placed in the back seat, the driver moved the car but only a short distance while the driver in the lorry started the vehicle. This offers further opportunity to gather evidence about the car. Likewise, the raider in the back seat had stepped out again onto the verge, undoubtedly leaving some kind of evidence such as a footprint. By following the vehicle tracks, investigators may be able to locate the safe house.

5. I would tell the SIO to consider gathering all hair and fibers found inside the vehicle to see if a positive match might be made with the trace evidence gathered from the crime scenes earlier that day. Moreover, the car needs to be swept inside and out for fingerprints. The car should be examined for traces of blood, too, as Philip was struck with a weapon that drew blood from him. That blood might be found in this car, which would identify this car as part of the crime scene. Moreover, the car needs to be searched for cigarettes or butts that might…