The document outlines the 4 main steps in investigating a crime scene: 1) Interviewing witnesses, 2) Examining the scene, 3) Documenting the scene through photos and sketches, and 4) Processing the scene for evidence collection. It then provides details on each step, such as using different search patterns to thoroughly examine the scene.

1. by Prof. Eman Ezz Eldawela
Elsharkawy

3. CRIME SCENE: Any physical location in which a crime
has occurred or is suspected of having occurred.
PRIMARY CRIME SCENE: The original location of
a crime or accident.
SECONDARY CRIME SCENE: An alternate location
where additional evidence may be found.
SUSPECT: Person thought to be capable of
committing a crime.

5. Step 1: Interview
The first step in investigating a crime scene is to interview the
first officer at the scene or the victim toto determine what
allegedly happened, what crime took place, and how was the
crime committed. This information may not be factual
information but it will give the investigators a place to start.
Step 2: Examine
The second step in the investigation of a crime scene, which will
help identify possible evidence, identify the point of entry and
point of exit, and outline the general layout of the crime scene.

6. Step 3: Document
The third step in the protocol involves creating a
pictorial record of the scene as well as a rough sketch
to demonstrate the layout of the crime scene and to
identify the exact position of the deceased victim or
other evidence within the crime scene.
Step 4: Process
This is the last step in the protocol. The crime scene
technician will process the crime scene for evidence,
both physical and testimonial evidence. It is the crime
scene technicians responsibility to identify, evaluate
and collect physical evidence from the crime scene
for further analysis by a crime laboratory.

8.  POLICE OFFICERS are typically the first to
arrive at a crime scene. They are responsible
for securing the scene so no evidence is
destroyed.
 The CSI UNIT documents the crime scene in
detail and collects any physical evidence.
 The DISTRICT ATTORNEY is often present to
help determine if any search warrants are
required to proceed and obtains those
warrants from a judge.

9.  The MEDICAL EXAMINER may or may
not be present to determine a preliminary
cause of death.
 SPECIALISTS (forensic entomologists,
anthropologists, or psychologists) may be
called in if the evidence requires expert
analysis.
 DETECTIVES interview witnesses and
consult with the CSI unit. They investigate
the crime by following leads provided by
witnesses and physical evidence.

10.  Evidence identification, documentation,
preservation, and collection.
 Crime scene photography.
 Bullet trajectory determinations.
 Blood spatter analysis.
 Locating occult blood.
 Alternate light source processing.
 Impression enhancement, casting or lifting
e.g., shoe or tire.

11.  Metal detection
 Crime scene reconstruction
 Latent Print processing

12.  Protecting the Crime Scene
•Ensure your safety and the safety of others.
• Securing the scene so no evidence is destroyed.
•Check the condition of the victim and render first aid if required.
•Ensure proper ventilation if required.
•Search confined spaces with a flashlight and/or mirrors prior to
inserting the hands.
•Handle all blood, body fluids, and tissue as if they contain blood
borne pathogens (e.g. hepatitis, HIV, etc.).
•Use gloves, protective clothing, and other universal safety
precautions when there may be contact with blood or other
potentially infectious material.

13. • Surgical caps, protective clothing, face
masks , eye protection, shoe covers, gloves,
and boots should be worn in instances when
contamination is anticipated.
• The common routes of exposure are
inhalation, ingestion, skin, eye, and mucous
membrane contact. Protect these parts of
your body.
• Change gloves when they are contaminated or
prior to handling additional evidence.
• Do not touch or remove any suspected
explosive device. A bomb technician should
be called to the scene to check for safety.

14. • Ensure that a progression of overall, mid-range, and
close-up views of the scene is established.
• Use a scale device for size determination.
• Photograph evidence in place before collection.
• Photograph areas adjacent to the crime scene – points
of entry, exits, windows, as well as the perimeter
and access routes.
• Film is cheap so do not hesitate to photograph
something. Digital photography is cheaper yet. Items
that appear to have no apparent significance at the
time may later prove to be a key element to the
investigation.

18. • Diagrams supplement photographs.
• A rough sketch is drawn at the scene and is
normally not to scale.
• A sketch that is used to create a future scaled
diagram must include all relevant
measurements (e.g. dimensions of the room,
measurements to all evidence from two
independent points, heights of
objects/evidence for a 3D computerized
rendition of the scene, etc.).
• Include on the sketch the location, date, time,
case identifier, preparer, weather conditions,
scale or scale disclaimer, compass orientation,
evidence, measurements, key or legend.

20. Conduct the search of the crime scene using one or more of
the following systematic search approaches.
Spiral Search: When this crime
scene search method is used,
the analyst will start the search
at a selected point at the edge
of the scene. The analyst will
walk in a circular pattern to
the center of the scene,
with the circle getting smaller
as they go. This search method is effective in small areas.

21. Strip (Lane) Search: When
this crime scene search
method is used, the
analyst will start the
search at the southeast
corner of the area to be
searched. The analyst will
walk north in a straight
line, keeping parallel with
the east edge until he/she
reaches the north edge of
the scene. This search
method works very well
when there is a large area
to be searched.

22. Zone or Grid Search: When
this crime scene method is
used, the analyst will
divide the scene to be
searched into quadrants.
Additional personnel may
be used for this method, or
the analyst can perform
the search independently.
The personnel searching
each quadrant will use any
method that they choose.
This method works well
with large areas to be
searched.

23.  Point to Point
Search: When this
crime scene search
method is used, the
analyst will go to the
first piece of evidence,
process it, then go to
the next apparent
piece of evidence,
repeating this process
until all evidence has
been processed and
collected. This search
method works well in
small or confined areas.

24.  Logical Association: this method leads
the investigator from one evidence item
to another following a logical progression
or evidence trail. Most used by
investigators but requires patient
thought, experience, and instinct.
This method is frequently combined with
one of the above listed search
techniques.

25.  An important responsibility of the crime
scene investigator is note taking.
 Thorough note taking commits any
observations to writing.
 A detailed record is created of what was
seen and what processes/searches were
performed, and it provides a basis for the
investigator’s future recollection of the
scene.
 Crime scene notes should be clear,
legible, detailed, and should be taken in
chronological order.

26.  Note following conditions:
• Doors locked/unlocked, open/closed
• Lights on/off
• Windows open/closed
• Shades up/down
• Temperature and weather conditions
• Odors
 Note general conditions of victim if
applicable:
• Position of body
• Apparent wounds present
• Clothing
• Personal belongings
 Note observable evidence
(e.g. weapons, bloodstain patterns, attempts to
modify scene, etc.)

29.  Photograph all items in place before
collection, with and without a scale.
 One person act as an evidence
custodian. This individual will collect,
package, and record all evidence.
 Focus first on the evidence that could
be readily lost (e.g., loose fibers and
hairs) and leave the least transient
evidence for last.

30.  Ensure collection and packaging is
sufficient and appropriate for the evidence.
 Evidence containing blood or other
biological fluids should be completely air-
dried before it is packaged and submitted
to the laboratory
 Evidence contaminated with wet blood or
potentially infectious materials should be
secured and transported immediately to
laboratory.
 Mark and labeling evidence packaging.
 Be careful not to destroy, contaminate, or
obscure forensically important detail on the
evidence.
 Obtain the appropriate controls.

31.  Full body photographs of victim as
delivered to the postmortem
examination. That, before and after
clean up.
 Mid-range and close-up photographs of
exterior wounds and/or identifying marks
(e.g. tattoos) with and without a scale.
 Photograph any body parts or evidence
requested by the Medical Examiner (e.g.
bullets, bullet tracks, etc.).

33. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE FOLLOWING
EVIDENCE BE COLLECTED DURING A
POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION
.
 Blood standard. Collect at least one
lavender/purple stoppered tube for a
DNA standard.
 Blood sample for blood toxic agents
determination. Collect at least one gray
stoppered tube.

34.  Urine sample.
 Head hair standard. This should be pulled,
not cut.
 Fingernail scrapings.
 Clothing, one item per bag.
 Evidence items located in or on the body.
 Finger and palm prints (for elimination
print purposes and identification)
 Allow any swabs to air-dry and then
package each sample type separately into
paper envelopes.

35.  Discuss the search jointly with all team
members for completeness.
 Check to ensure all evidence, including film,
is accounted for before departing scene.
 Make sure any possible hiding places or
difficult access areas have not been
overlooked during the search.
 Check to ensure all equipment is accounted
before departing scene

36.  Drug Chemistry – Determines the presence
of controlled substances and the
identification of drugs or toxic agents.
 Trace Chemistry - Identification and
comparison of materials from fires,
explosions, paints, and glass.
 Microscopy – Microscopic identification and
comparison of evidence, such as hairs, fibers,
woods, soils, building materials and other
materials.

37.  Ballistics (Firearms) – Study of bullets
and ammunition through the comparison of
fired bullets, cartridges, guns, and
gunpowder patterns on people and objects.
 Tool marks – Examines marks left by tools
on objects at a crime scene or on a victim,
such as a hammer used to break a door or
a screwdriver used to pick a lock.
 Questioned Documents - Examination of
documents to compare handwriting, ink,
paper, writing instruments, printers, and
other characteristics that would help to
identify its origin.

38.  Biology/DNA – Analysis of body fluids and
dried stains such as blood, semen, and saliva.
 Toxicology – Tests body fluids and tissues to
determine the presence of drugs and poisons.
 Latent Prints - Identification and
comparison of fingerprints or other hidden
impressions from sources like feet, shoes,
ears, lips or the tread on vehicle tires.