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A crime scene is a location where an illegal act took place, from assault to burglary to murder and it is where most of the physical evidence is.

Criminalistics is the application of science to the physical evidence. Ex: bloodstains DNA bullet trajectory etc.

Criminology includes the psychological angle. it involves studying the crime scene

Processing the scene for CSI's basically means that they are in charge of the investigation and have free reign over the crime scene. Areas get marked off for certain spots so you can place materials in it so you do not mess up the crime scene. The first 24 hour period after the crime is the most crucial time because the evidence is for the most part undisturbed and witnesses can remember things better. Also before they do anything they see whether they need a search warrant to go forward.

There are two type sof evidence: testimonial and physical physical evidence is grouped in five ways: temporary conditional associative patter trace/transfer

Crime scene kits are very useful and there are several types that can be used from tape to lights to gloves to rollers and blood stain removing Anthropologist: examines bones to help determine identity and may also get involves in time of death as well as forensic art Artist/sculptor: provides sketches of the offender, uses computer enhancement to come up with picture of what happened Accountant: does financial investigations for deducing motive and identifying suspects Ballistics expert: has knoledge about the functioning of firearms and bullet projectiles Botanist: studies plant growth at a crime scene and analyzes plant spores Chemist/ trace expert: studies the molecular component of pieces of evidence like glass, paint chips, fibers, and dyes. also toxology Dactyloscopist: analyzes fingerprints Entomologist: studies the developmental stages of insects to help establish time of death of body dump sites Geologist: analyzes soil content to provide information about where a body may have been Geographical profiler: uses computer models to help establish where a serial offender may reside Linguist: analyzes the spoken or written word to match seperate messages with a single individual, probe inderlying intent, and tell something about the person's educational level and reading sources Serologist: analyzes body serums like blood

Photographs: there are overview photographs at first then there are mid-range photos taken focusing on the position of the items considered as evidence. Then the last ones are taken close up in detail Bodies are photographed from five angles: head to feet right side feet to head left side straight down from above