Determine (based on the sketches) your suggested plans for searching the crime scene(s) in this scenario
The type of search method to be used is usually dependent on the number of available search personnel, location, and size of a crime scene. Furthermore, no single search method is limited to a particular crime site. Regardless of the selected method, the search should be conducted systemically and thoroughly. Upon analyzing the sketches and information availed by the first responding officer, the investigator can commence by establishing a plan of processing the site. In ambiguous crime scenes, the type of prior information given to investigators usually affects their perception and interpretation of the scene (Eeden, Poot & Koppen, 2016). Planning is initiated by identifying entry and exit pathways from the two sketches. The investigator then establishes the extent of the murder area. For instance, the exterior sketch shows the victim’s body positioned outside the house. Moreover, in the interior sketch, the living room seems to have been disturbed. These suggest that there are two crime scenes, which include the interior and exterior of the house. Therefore, based on the nature and size of the scene, it is best recommended for the zone and grid search method to be used in the location and collection of evidence.
For the primary scene, i.e., the living room, the zone method will be used. This technique is recommended in situations where there are one or two searchers. Furthermore, it is usually used in indoor settings (Horsewell, 2016). In this method, the area is broken down into squares, i.e., manageable zones. Each zone is examined by individual investigators using any search method of their choosing. The zones can then be re-searched by different search personnel to ensure that evidence is not overlooked.
On the other hand, for the secondary scene, i.e., the compound, the grid search method will be used. The grid search method is also known as the double strip or double lane method. It is best used in processing large crime scenes (Horsewell, 2016). In this technique, a lane is searched in a single direction, like the line search method. Upon reaching the end where the lane terminates, a 90-degree change of direction is made, and another lane is searched. This can be achieved either using two searchers (one searching a particular direction and the other searching an adjacent direction) or several searchers using the line method. Although it is time-consuming, the method enables an area to be searched twice at different angles (Horsewell, 2016). Therefore, this increases the chances of locating evidence. Metal detectors can be handy in tracing bullet shell casings.
Signify the areas to be searched and the evidence that might be associated with this crime scene
All areas around a crime scene should be thoroughly searched for evidence. It begins with the two investigators conducting an initial walkthrough to identify probable and relevant evidence for the murder case grossly. This is facilitated by investigators locating areas or objects that appear to be unusual or out of place. Based on the interior and exterior sketches, several objects and areas appear to be out of place. For instance, in the internal sketch, there is an upturned coffee table, lamp on the floor, clothes scattered all over the living room floor, sofa cushions on the floor, and an open door with a projectile hole. Therefore, the presence of these atypical elements suggests that the officers should mainly focus on examining the entire living room floor and door for any traces of evidence.
On the other hand, in the external sketch, there appears to be a corpse lying a few meters from the doorway entry. This suggests that the two officers should extensively focus on searching for evidence on the area around the victim’s body and the path to the doorway.
Furthermore, since there is a probability that a small high-velocity object, i.e., bullet, was an element in the murder, it is recommended for the officers to search for a bullet and its casing thoroughly. The bullet exited from the victim’s head thus suggesting that it fell somewhere in the crime scene. Establishing the location of these two key pieces of evidence is essential because the location of the shell will help determine the location at which the shooter fired the gun.
The presence of an open wound signifies that bleeding occurred. Therefore, it will be necessary for the investigators to locate blood stains and document the blood spatter. This will assist in identifying the location at which the victim was shot and whether the body was moved. Last but not least, the investigating officers need to locate trace evidence such as latent fingerprints in the living room. The chaotic nature of the living room suggests that furniture was moved out of place by an individual. Thus the investigating officer can specifically analyze the misplaced objects for latent fingerprints.
If you had other personnel available to assist you and your new partner, what directives and assignments would you provide them with to assist in your crime scene search process?
The crime scene in this murder investigation covers a relatively large area, which extends from the interior to the exterior of the house. If more other personnel are available, I will allocate several duties to them, especially in the collection of special evidence. For instance, taking into consideration that the bullet exited the victim’s body, it could have fallen anywhere in the open vicinity of either the house or compound. Therefore, recruiting more officers into the search will greatly help by hastening the time required to locate and collect evidence. Secondly, some personnel will be allocated the duty of performing research and efforts should be mainly geared towards the discovery of trace evidence (Indiana State Police, 2019). This will ensure that maximum evidence is collected.
Lastly, some personnel will be allocated the duty of collecting special evidence such as the use of an alternate light source, documentation of blood pattern, and projectile trajectory analysis (Indiana State Police, 2019). These before mentioned methods of scene processing are thorough and time-consuming; therefore, they require specialized skilled personnel. Regardless of many personnel being involved in processing the crime scene, the process of evidence collection has to be conducted systematically. The sequence used is determined by the scene location (interior or exterior), condition of evidence (fragile or stable), weather conditions, scene management considerations, and additional processing techniques that might be managed by specialized personnel (Indiana State Police, 2019).
Moreover, when other persons other than the investigator discover evidence, it is recommended that such items, if possible, should be pointed out to the investigator for collection and packaging. This is to avoid a long list of individuals linked to the evidence, thus efficiently ensuring that a proper chain of custody is met (Indiana State Police, 2019). In some instances, the finder of the evidence, i.e., other personnel, is allowed to collect and package evidence rather than give it to the investigator. Although the chain of custody will be reduced, it is a requirement that the finder should notify the investigator of its discovery, location, and identity. All evidence has to be photographed first before moving or removal.
References
- Eeden, C. A., Poot, C. J. & Koppen, P. J. (2016). Forensic expectations: Investigating a crime scene with prior information. Science and Justice, 56 (6), 475-481.
- Horsewell, J. (2016). Crime Scene Investigation and Examination: Major Incident Scene Management. In Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine (2nd ed.). Netherlands: Elsevier BV.
- Indiana State Police. (2019). Crime scene procedures. Web.