A Crime Scene Defined

By

H. Ruslander, S.C.S.A.

What is a crime scene? Simply put, it is a location where a crime has occurred. There could or could not be physical evidence present. It could encompass an area as small as a postage stamp or as large as several city blocks.

 There is a theory, known as “Locards Theory”, which says that at every crime scene, a person carries something into it from another location and removes something from it when they leave. This is usually items known as trace evidence. Trace evidence is evidence that is very small in size, even microscopic.

 Using this theory, ANY movement through a crime scene results in the addition and/or removal of evidence by those persons who are allowed to enter the area. It is therefore very important to limit access to and movement within the crime scene area as much as possible. To this end, I have devised an acronym to help remind you of the importance of protecting the integrity of the scene. This acronym is “A SCENE”. It stands for the following;

Arrive on the scene in response to a call as safely and quickly as possible.

Secure the scene as soon after arrival as possible.

Contain the scene, protect it from contamination and alteration.

Evacuate everybody from the scene that is not absolutely essential!

Remember to keep witnesses separated.

Notify Crime Scene and while awaiting their arrival,

Evaluate the scene. Be prepared to document it as you found it and to brief

the Crime Scene Investigator as to what you found.

 In order to maintain the scene, it is imperative that you do not do certain things. These include but are not limited to; using the phone or toilet, using any tobacco product in the scene area, moving any item, opening or closing curtains, blinds, windows or doors, turning lights on or off. By altering the scene, you could alter the conclusions of the investigators and that could result in a completely erroneous reconstruction of the scene and circumstances.

 With regard to the scene itself, if it is located inside a structure, prohibit people, including other officers, from entering. Limit access through one door. Of course, make sure the door you choose was not one used by the perpetrator! Do not change anything, leave it as you found it! Think about the need to rope off the front and back yards in case there is evidence there too.

 If the scene is located outdoors, rope off the area with crime scene tape. Post officers at intervals to prohibit people from getting into the area. This includes the media. Remember, it is easier to make the roped off area smaller that it is to make it larger once it has been defined.

 With regard to weapons. If at all possible, leave them alone! Do not secure them for “OFFICER SAFETY” unless that is truly the case. If it is, handle as little as possible and only where the contamination of latent fingerprints is least likely to occur. Do not unload the weapon or tape the sharp edge of the blade!  De-cock the hammer only if necessary. Use things like small paper or Styrofoam cups to mark items such as shell casings or projectiles. Place these over them carefully so as to not change the location or orientation of the item.

 Designate a person to act as the scribe and have them record the name and time of each person entering or leaving the scene. This would include the Chief of Police if necessary.

 While Crime Scene is doing their job, remember that you must also provide security for them as well as the scene. The investigators are usually unarmed and so engrossed it the job at hand and not on what is going on around them that they are vulnerable. Never leave them unprotected unless you have gotten their consent first.

 When preparing reports, be factual, concise and accurate. Do not try to describe what you think you saw the people inside the crime scene doing. Your perspective may be inaccurate. Report only what you personally did, said, observed or heard. By reporting only you actions and/or involvement, and not you opinion of what someone else did, will go to great lengths in reducing the arguments a defense attorney could use to create that doubt in the minds of the jury.

 Working as a team will result in higher quality results and stronger cases for the prosecutors to bring to trial. It will also result in less chances for misunderstandings, destruction of evidence or the drawing of erroneous conclusions.

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