The State of the Physical Evidence - Essay Example

Running head: Crime Scenes In the collection and preservation of evidence from a crime scene,the central aspect is protecting the scene. The state of the physical evidence at its collection time is paramount because the successful prosecution of a case mainly depend it. The crime scene therefore remains under protection from the time the first responding officer arrives at the scene until when the crime scene-investigation unit collects and documents the relevant evidence. This paper discusses the responsibilities of the first responding officer at the crime scene with a description of the basics of crime scene processing including the proper documentation and collection of physical evidence. Introduction Crime scene processing is the real act of processing the scene of a crime in the field with the term processing referring to the complete task of examining, sketching, photographing and utilizing field procedures to identify, assess, document/record, process and collect physical, fingerprint and testimonial evidence. Crime scene investigation involves logic, science and law and it is necessary to put into consideration the fact that every crime scene, piece of evidence and the approach of investigation differ. However, in all crime scenes, there is a basic protocol or tasks to which the initial responding officer at a crime scene should adhere (Schiro, 2008). Travis and his co-authors assert that one of the principal aspects of ensuring that the crime scene is secure is to preserve it with minimal disturbance and contamination of physical evidence. The primary response to an incident is normally systematic and expeditious. Following his arrival, the initial responding officer should carry out his first responsibility of evaluating the scene. He should approach and enter crime scenes promptly, yet carefully, at the same time examining any potential evidence, events, vehicles, persons and environmental conditions that may have association with the crime. He should document such information as location /address, exact date and time, call type, conditions upon arrival for instance if the lights were on or off, own actions as well as those of others and the parties involved.. He should also be conscious of any vehicles or persons departing the crime scene. Warily, he should scan the area entirely to have a thorough assessment of the scene, noting any probable secondary crime scenes. Before proceeding, it is crucial that he assess the scene and ensure his safety by making initial observations including smelling, looking and listening. Until the assessment is complete and determined to be otherwise, the officer should treat the area as a crime scene and should therefore remain attentive and alert with the assumption that the crime is still ongoing (Schiro, 2008). The second responsibility of the initial responding officer is to carry out safety procedures. His first priority should be his physical well-being and safety as well as that of other persons within and around the crime scene. This is by ensuring that there is no instantaneous threat – he should scan the area for sounds, smells and sights, which may expose the personnel to danger. An example of a hazardous material is natural gas or gasoline. In case the incident involves concealed radiological or biological weapons, chemical threats or drug laboratory, the officer should contact suitable personnel prior to getting into the scene. The officer should also inspect the scene for perilous individuals, control the situation, inform supervisory personnel and ask for backup (Travis, 2000). The next responsibility of the initial responding officer is to ensure the provision of emergency care. He should look out for signs of life and medical needs in the victims, call for health personnel and ensure that they provide medical attention immediately with least scene contamination. He should avoid alteration or removal of items from the scene and document any inevitable movement of items or persons that the health personnel make. In case the health personnel were the first to arrive, the initial responding officer should find out their name, contact addresses and the unit where they have taken the victim. He should document any remarks or statements that the suspects, witnesses or the victims make and if there is a possibility that the victim may die, he should try to obtain dying declaration. The initial responding officer also has the responsibility of identifying people such as suspects, witnesses, medical and other supporting team at the crime scene, controlling their movement and securing the scene to safeguard physical evidence and minimize contamination. He can do this by defining and controlling boundaries. He should keep out unauthorized persons and unnecessary workforce such as the media from the scene. He can establish physical barriers using crime-scene barrier tape, ropes among others and document the exit/entry of all people out of or into the crime scene. In case objects or the victims are moved, he should document their original location. Finally yet importantly, the initial responding officer should turn over the control of the scene to the investigators taking charge and supply them with a detailed crime scene briefing. However, he should not leave the scene until relieved of duty (Travis, 2000). Investigations in the crime scene commence following the arrival of the crime scene-investigation unit and after they meet with the detectives on the scene. Police officers and the detectives inform the crime scene-investigation unit about what had happened and what they have found. The suspects or witnesses at the crime scene usually give statements or information that is critical in aiding the investigation unit in their task. Therefore, in their objective assessment of the crime scene, they should consider such information carefully knowing that investigations may change directions during inquiry process, yet physical clues that appeared irrelevant earlier become reliable sources of evidence in the case (Horswell, 2004). The crime scene-investigation unit conducts a first walk through the crime scene getting its overall feel, ensuring that before their arrival, nothing was moved. They generate theories based on their assessment. When approaching the crime scene for investigation, it is paramount that they do it as if it is their only chance to recover and preserve these crucial physical clues. In their next walk through the crime scene, they document the scene thoroughly by drawing sketches, taking pictures and videos of specific things present at the crime scene. They discuss and record all crime scene details and try to figure out the manner in which the crime was committed after which they gather all potential proof not in the body’s vicinity if the crime involves death. They also take a photograph of each piece of proof beside a ruler in order to show the object’s size. This is followed by tagging, labeling, logging and packaging of the evidence to ensure that it remains intact while being transported to the crime lab. After processing the crime scene thoroughly, the crime scene-investigation unit photographs the body with the evidence lying around it, after which they take it to the crime lab morgue (Horswell, 2004). Conclusion It is imperative that officers responsible with law enforcement be conversant with the responsibilities or roles of the first responding officer at a crime scene. This is paramount because in most of the times, the actions of this officer lay the foundation for the rest of the investigation. Critical evidence for making the case can be lost owing to his improper actions. We can therefore not overstate the significance of his actions, mainly in the initial stages subsequent to his arrival as they determine whether the relevant evidence remains uncontaminated until its collection and documentation. References Horswell, J. (2004): The practice of crime scene investigation. London. CRC press, pp83-120. Schiro, G. (2008): Protecting the Crime Scene. Retrieved November 9, 2009, from http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/evidenc1.html Travis, J.D. et al. (2000): Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement. Retrieved November 8, 2009, from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/178280.pdf. Read More