Crime Scene Investigation Stages and Protocols

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Table of Contents

Fixed Items
Non-processed Items
Place of Processing
Processing Protocols
Involved Parties and Witnesses
Evidence Packaging
Expert Witness Qualifications
Reference List

Fixed Items

Among the unmovable items that should be necessarily processed for latent impressions, it is essential to point out those that might contain the finger and the footprints of both the criminal and the victim. Hence, such surfaces as the floor and the walls should be investigated. To detect latent impressions, a classic power method can be applied. Some experts also mention “alternate light sources” as a convenient tool to detect latent impressions (Buckles, 2012).

Non-processed Items

It is assumed that the fresh-looking cigarette should not be processed for latent expression. First and foremost, it is stated that the scene has already been secured. It means that sufficient time has passed since the criminal left the site. Therefore, the fresh-looking cigarette might have been left by someone from the investigating or photography team. The paper “Quick Pick” lottery ticket and the blue steel revolver should not be processed for latent expression as well because they already contain visual expressions.

Place of Processing

Some of the items should be processed right at the crime site. Thus, for instance, the steel, the container, and the cigar box refer to the so-called “non-porous” surfaces. In other words, it is critical not to damage the latent expression that these surfaces might contain (Schiro, 2016). All the other items can be transported to the laboratory in special containers.

Processing Protocols

My investigation would be based on several protocols. First of all, I would stick to the Hayden Baldwin crime scene protocol that implies five critical steps in investigating a crime scene: to interview, to examine, to photograph, to sketch, to process. I might also employ Rynearson’s protocol that, likewise, implies a scene reconstruction (Crime Scene Investigation Protocol, 2013).

Involved Parties and Witnesses

Theoretically, all the four parties – the first officer, the employee, the mother, and her son – might be involved in the crime. As a result, it is essential to draw conclusions regarding their participation or witnessing the crime based on the relevant interviews. It is essential to note that the involvement of some parties might be discovered at the final stages of the investigation.

Evidence Packaging

According to experts’ opinion, the major part of the evidence can be collected in paper containers. Liquid items must be packed in leak-proof containers while large items are packed in plastic bags (Schiro, 2016). While selecting the packaging for a particular type of evidence, the core focus should be placed on preserving the prints. For this reason, it is proposed that all the pieces of evidence are packed in a separate container. To avoid potential confusion, it is necessary to label each container with a relevant note that would contain the name of the item and the data of its collection.

It is also essential to note that the evidence storing should be treated equally carefully as the evidence packaging. Hence, for instance, experts point out that most evidence should be kept in dry air (Schiro, 2016).

Expert Witness Qualifications

An expert witness is supposed to possess some specific knowledge of the witnessing in the relevant field. To be admitted to a court case, an expert witness is supposed to pass a series of tests to prove the essential skills and qualifications: the General Acceptance Test, the Reliability Test, and the Daubert Standard (Buckles, 2012).

Reference List

Buckles, T. (2012). Crime Scene Investigation, Criminalistics, and The Law. New York, New York: Cengage Learning.

Crime Scene Investigation Protocol. (2013). Web.

Schiro, G. (2016). Collection and Preservation of Evidence. Web.

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