Physical Evidence At The Scene example essay topic

It is very important that all evidence collected at a crime scene is done correctly. If the investigators make a one little mistake in the collection of evidence, the suspects defense team will try to make sure that mistake will be the cause of the evidence to be suppressed. With that said, investigators need to make sure all evidence collected is bagged and labeled in the right manner. This process starts once the first officer arrives at the scene. Once the first officer arrives at the scene he needs to follow these steps if he didn't catch the suspect red-handed. 1.

The officer needs to make sure he can get as much information as he can from the witness if there is one at the scene. Information like, make and model of vehicle used in the crime, a description of the suspect, and what direction the suspect fled from the scene needs to be reported to the patrol force. 2. The officer needs to limit access to the crime scene for only those with the responsibility of investigating the crime scene. 3. Detain and separate any eyewitnesses.

4. Protect the crime scene, and make sure no evidence left isn't handled by anyone but the personnel responsible for investigating the scene. If this is done correctly it " ll make it hard for the suspect's defense team to attack the collection and handling of the physical evidence at the scene. Essay Question (2) 3 Once the investigator in charge of the investigation arrives he must note the following details. 1. Who called 911, the time he made it to the crime scene, and most importantly how long it took him to respond.

2. Weather conditions and visibility. 3. Find out who already went through the scene and find out the names of all persons at the scene 4. Get with the first officer to arrive at the scene and gather facts about the scene from that officer. 5.

Subsequent actions on taking responsibility for the crime scene from the uniformed officer who was in charge up to that point. (Osteburg, J.W. & Ward, R.H. 2004) When collecting physical evidence, investigators need to make sure it has been properly recorded. Once its been recorded it needs to be collected separately and preserved for examination at the laboratory and eventually in court. In doing this investigators need to make sure the evidence is continuously accounted for from the time of its discovery unit is presented in court. Protecting the evidence means more than just making sure no one steps on it at the crime scene. It means packaging it properly so it is not lost, damaged, contaminated or spoiled.

The proper type of material must be used in packaging the evidence, and the chain-of-custody must Essay Question (2) 4 not be broken at any time. It is a travesty to work so hard on an investigation only to have the charges dismissed because of poor evidence handling or questioned chain-of-custody. The chain of custody of an evidential item begins at the initial collection of the evidence at the scene of crime and must be presented if the evidence is used in court. The authenticity and integrity of the evidence relies upon the detailed recorded history of the item, including the persons who came into possession of the item and the examination tests performed upon it. Establishing set guidelines on recording and labeling of the history of the evidence during its time retained by the police is the most effective way to ensure this of custody is maintained.