Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Crime scenes

This information might be useful to everyone. When a crime is first reported there are things that must be dealt with first such as the victim in need of help or the perpatraitor having a weapon that must be secured. Then they must detain the eyewitnesses and interview them separately and whoever reported the crime. Then the scene is taped off along with any other crime scenes (places where body was found, where weapons were found etc.). If there isn't an emergency it is important not to disturb the body or any other evidence. Then the scene is searched in a very organized manner, like a grid system or a spiral one, or even one just a back and forth line system. There are many jobs on the crime scene ( of course that doesn't help preserving footprints but owell,) such as photographer, sketcher, measurer, evidence collector, and master note takers. After evidence is collected, transported, preserved, and stored carefully, the scene may be recreated either mentally or physically and adding in or throwing out witnesses testimonies. In the movie (12 angry men) the alleged murderer is found innocent not by finding evidence that leads to someone else but because the witnesses testimonies were insuffient.

1 comment:

Dave Kellogg said...

Search patterns will always be determinate on the size of the crime scene. You make a good point about "securing" the scene. Often students of criminal justice feel they will be investigating crimes. The reality is patrol officers will see to the victims and secure the scene for the investigative teams to collect evidence.