R+1-28+Notes+NT

-Crime Scene is a place where something illegal or a crime took place. -Crime Scene Analysis is a combination of criminalistics and criminology. __Criminalistics__: The application of science to the physical evidence (bloodstains, DNA, bullet trajectories). __Criminology__: The psychological angle. Involves studying crime scenes for motives, traits, and behavior that will help to interpret the evidence. -Primary concern at a crime scene is to preserve the evidence.
 * Crime Scene Analysis**

-A call goes to authorities, usually through 911, when a crime scene is discovered and a patrol unit in the area checks it out. -They note the time and record and other pertinent observations. -They refrain from touching or moving anything. -Evidence can be found anywhere. -Recreations can help investigators make discoveries. -Investigators must assume that whoever was at the scene has left something there or taken something away, and probably both. -Every contact leaves a trace. -There's a cross-transference of small traces between a perpetrator and a victim of the crime scene. -Whether the suspect left something or took something, it's up to the C.S.I.s to make the connection. -To preserve all traces, officers must take care to avoid contamination and must restrict access to all non-principal personnel. -In the event that there is a seriously injured person at the scene, the first priority is first aid and transport to the hospital, even if it damages evidence. The officer should note the person's position when found and record a description of wounds. -The officers control the scene by marking the perimeter with tape or an obvious barrier, and by keeping everyone clear of the defined area.
 * The Initial Call**

-In the case of a major crime, such as a bombing or a homicide, detectives are called in and they are in charge of the investigation, and rule over the crime scene. -In cases where a wide are becomes a crime scene, C.S.I.s perform a "grid search", during which they walk the approximate area, shoulder to shoulder, stopping when someone signals that something appears to be evidence. A flag is placed where is was found and the procedure continues until everything is collected. -The first 24 hours after the crime is considered the most crucial because the evidence in relatively undisturbed and witnesses memories are better. -Sometimes a K-9 unit is brought in immediately to search for the perpetrator. -Before anything is done, the investigators must decide whether a search warrant is needed. Evidence can be thrown out in court if it was found without protecting the rights of the people involved. If a search warrant has not been obtained and the person who controls the property gives permission to search, then the search is legal. Otherwise a warrant must be obtained from a judge. To get a warrant, investigators must prepare an affidavit, detailing exactly what they are looking for, where they need to search, and why they think the items are there. Basically they must provide probable cause.
 * Processing the Scene**

-There are two types of evidence: testimonial and physical. __Testimonial__:comes from anyone who was near the scene and saw something. Witnesses are separated, detained, and interviewed. __Physical__: Grouped into five categories. 1. Temporary (may change or be lost) 2. Conditional (associated with specific conditions at the crime) 3. Associative (links a suspect or victim to a scene) 4. Pattern (blood, impressions, tire treads, residue, or evidence of the modus operandi) 5. Trace/transfer (produced by physical contact with some surface) -Forensic Science is the application of scientific method to legal proceedings. -C.S.I.s are looking for things that should not be there (foreign elements that seem out of place) -Have various duties such as taking notes, evaluating the scene, sketching the scene, photographing, finding and collecting physical evidence for analysis, using different types of equipment, and preparing detailed reports. -They must be prepared to testify in court about what they write in evidence reports. -They are looking for: 1. fingerprints 2. impressions from tools, shoes, car tires, fabric, and teeth 3. body fluids like semen, blood, and saliva 4. other biological evidence such as hair, fingernail scrapings, and body tissue 5. trace evidence such as glass, plant spoors, fibers, paint chips, gunshot residue, and accelerants 6. weapons or the evidence of them, such as shell casings 7. questioned documents, which include forged checks, fake suicide notes, and ransom notes 8. special evidence in cases of arson or explosions -Chasing down suspects, informing families about a death, and interrogating people are usually left up to the detectives not the C.S.I team. -Evidence collected at the scene may serve several purposes: 1. prove that a crime has been committed 2. indicate key aspects of the crime 3. establish the identities of the victim or suspect, or determine what kind of investigation must be done to identify them and see how they interact 4. corroborate (or not) any testimony given by witnesses 5. help to exonerate a suspect who is innocent 6. provide leads for further investigation 7. pressure suspects into giving confessions -Although C.S.I.s must be skilled in "reading" the scene to form an idea of what may have happened, they must also stay open to other possibilities. -C.S.I.s have the authority to decide the nature and extent of other services needed at the scene. -In many places they have the power to make an arrest or carry a gun. -A C.S.I. should have a background in chemistry, biology, computer programs, anthropology, and police and court procedure.
 * Types of Evidence**

-C.S.I. teams will often bring kits to the crime scene. -A basic kits consists of: 1. crime scene tape and a box of chalk 2. handheld magnifying glass 3. flashlight 4. tweezers and a box of swabs 5. pen, sketchpad, and logbooks 6. camera with extra film, a cassette recorder, and blank tapes 7. paper sacks and envelopes 8. disposable clothing, gloves, and masks 9. string 10. measuring implements 11. orange evidence flags or markers 12. lint pick-up adhesive roller 13. portable alternative light source (ALS), which means infrared, ultraviolet, or laser -There are also specific-use kits for processing the scene that have standard contents as well. 1. Fingerprinting Kit 2. Casting Kit 3. Casting Kit for taking impressions from tool marks 4. Shooting Kits 5. Trace Evidence Collection Kits 6. Gunshot Residue Kits 7. Kits for detecting the presence of blood that may have been wiped clean or washed away 8. Serology Kit 9. Kit for collecting entomology specimens 10. Hazmat Kit 11. Sexual Assault Kit
 * Crime Scene Kits**

-Sometimes criminalists with special education and training get involved as well to help with identification and analysis. They include: 1. Anthropologist 2. Artist/Sculptor 3. Accountant 4. Ballistics Expert 5. Botanist 6. Chemist/trace expert 7. Dactyloscopist 8. Entomologist 9. Geologist 10. Geographical profiler 11. Linguist 12. Mental health expert/criminologist/ profiler 13. Odontologist/dentist 14. Serologist
 * Forensic Specialties**

-If there's a body, the coroner or medical examiner is in charge of the scene. -The coroner: 1. Investigates all deaths by violence, criminal means, suicide, or an unattended death 2. Orders autopsies 3. Provides identification of victims 4. Conducts inquests 5. Holds unidentified remains in the morgue 6. Keeps violent death statistics
 * The Coroner**

-The corpse's hands and feet (if bare) are bagged to preserve anything that may be found under the nails. -Before the body gets moved it can be outlined where it lies for later reference.

-Once the detectives have determined the crime scene boundaries and taken whatever notes they need, the photographer photographs the scene. -Photographers follow certain protocols: 1. Use black and white and various types of color film 2. Use cameras with different types of lenses. 3. Bring separate extension flashes or other supplementary lighting 4. Bring a tripod 5. Use a photograph log to keep track of each shot 6. Bring filters for better depth 7. Include different types of scales in photos for accurate measuring. 8. Take at least two of each shot.
 * Photographing the Scene**

-Procedure: 1. First walk through the scene to get perspective. 2. Discuss with investigating officers what should be photographed in greater detail. 3. First photographs should give an overview of as much of the scene as possible. 4. Mid-range photos taken focusing on the position of evidence. 5. Last, each item is photographed in close-up detail. 6. A photo should be taken of anything with a serial or identification #.

-Other investigators of equipment should be kept out of the photos. - Photographers keep four things in mind: 1. Set the camera for the correct exposure so that things in shadows will appear. 2. Get maximum depth of field possible. 3. Get good perspectives with no distortions. 4. Keep a sharp focus for best detail.

-Bodies are photographed from five angles: 1. Head to feet 2. Right side 3. Feet to head 4. Left side 5. Straight down from above

-Close-ups are then taken of any wounds, ligature marks, bite marks, or bruises. Then after the body is moved, the area underneath is also photographed. -If the victim is alive, photographs must be taken of all injuries. -Suspected arson requires photographs of any potential entrance points into a building and all areas of fire damage. -In the case of a death that appears to be a suicide, the scene is classified as an equivocal death, which means it's investigated as a homicide until it's conclusively shown to be a suicide. -Bloodstains are photographed with color film unless high contrast is needed. -Sketches are made as well for an accurate depiction of the scene. -The entire scene is measured, and the measurements are added to the sketch. If there is a body, it is measure from two fixed points. -Photographers are meant to refresh the memory of the investigators and to show placement of physical evidence.

-Once the scene has been photographed and documented, the search for evidence begins. -C.S.I.s usually take a walk through to see the scene from several angles. -All evidence gets a numbered flag or marker to show where it was found. A notebook keeps track of what each numbered marker stands for. -Certain people are designated to search specific areas. -Chain of custody means that each person who handled the evidence signs off on it, records what is done with it on what dates, and replaces it in its secure storage location. If not done correctly, evidence can be thrown out of court. -Evidence is kept in a container with labels for recording the case number, the victim or suspect's name, and all signatures of people who have handled it. -To collect evidence at a scene, C.S.I.s need to have tweezers, rubber gloves, and an assortment of envelopes and containers for bagging it. -Gathering all the trace evidence may involve a "fingertip search", starting at a central point and spiraling around until the scene is covered. Investigators can also divide the search into zones. -Trace evidence must all be kept separate and documented in the order it was found. -Documents are collected for many reasons, such as psychological autopsy, a victim analysis, a check for forgeries, and acquiring samples of the victim's handwriting. -Some evidence is unique to a person or crime, such as DNA samples or spent bullets. Other material like fibers, glass, and paint are identifiable for close matches, but not for uniqueness. -Evidence goes in one of two directions: bodies end up in the morgue for autopsy while physical evidence goes to the lab.
 * Collecting and Preserving Evidence**