Procedures Associated with Crime Scene Evaluation
Overview
Crime scene criminal justice essay can be defined as a specific place in which a certain harmful and dangerous activity has taken place. Investigators usually need to have adequate knowledge in handling crime scenes to facilitate the safety of people living within and visiting such an area.
Evaluation begins with total seclusion of the area to allow for a smooth search and hence possible identification of crime culprits. There are standard procedures for handling. Evidence collected from a crime scene is important and requires adequate preservation and storage. Likewise, the methods for recording a crime usually include photography, taking notes, and film photography. Technical Knowledge is also a very important factor. Law assignment help points out some critical pointers needed to write an essay.
The process of evaluating a crime scene
All activities aim at identifying the actual perpetrators of crimes (Frade, 2017). The evaluation attracts various strategies and procedures across law enforcement agencies. Investigators usually have to draft the most effective procedures to undertake the evaluation of any given scene. The first step in this procedure is securing the place of the crime (Frade, 2017). In particular, this entails the provision of barricades to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the area.
The media and other passers-by usually flow to a scene of the crime. The next important step is to draw boundaries around the scene of the crime as well as around all substantive evidence of a crime at a particular place. The third procedure is to identify the possible route of the suspect and create a walk-through from the same. This is another important stage because it provides a guideline of the possible activities carried out by the suspects at the actual place of a crime. The last procedure will be to record the findings using flowcharts, sketches, and photographs.
Preservation and Collection of Physical Evidence Procedure
Physical evidence in a crime scene includes fingerprints, weapons used, blood spatter, hairs, and any object touched by the suspect at the scene of a crime (Frade, 2017). This kind of evidence is particularly important in connecting the scene of a crime to potential perpetrators. Evidence is one of the most crucial components of any criminal offense.
Investigators need to provide adequate storage and preservation of such evidence to facilitate effective crime investigation. Preservation of evidence involves all strategies in place to maintain pieces of evidence in good shape and condition. Preservation of evidence involves strategies such as storing objects in locked devices, protecting sketches and keeping photographs in secured safes. This is a crucial stage in any investigation process. To dive deep into the topic click here for law assignment help and learn more about it.
Collection of evidence
Collection of evidence begins from the area of an actual crime and involves investigation of every object surrounding a body. Investigators should provide special attention to the body and its surroundings. In particular, this involves locating any markings of tools at the point of entry. This is particularly important in identifying the kind of tools used in perpetrating a crime (Frade, 2017). Investigating officers also concentrate on the fingerprints by analyzing objects touched by the culprits. By doing so, a connection develops between scenes of crime and possible crime perpetrators.
An investigator should record the exact location of evidence or any other object of penitentiary value with a clear marking. The recording should be in terms of notes, sketches, and photographs (Frade, 2017). These are the common means of recording evidence of crime across the globe. Investigators need to have effective markings and evidence of the exact location of any object that proves to be significant in providing the necessary evidence. Photographs should be clear and should always have a backup of sketches whenever necessary. Likewise, the investigators should mark the location of a penitentiary object with an evidence marker.
Procedure to Secure and Search a Crime Scene
A crime scene needs to be a place of limited access to the public to prevent any possible interference with the collection of evidence. There are usually certain procedures necessary in facilitating a smooth collection of data at the scene of the crime. Law assignment help makes sure to outline such detail in brief The following are some of the crucial steps involved in undertaking an effective search and securing a scene of the crime:
Securing
This particular process involves barricading a scene to ensure that people will not be able to access and cause confusion at the venue of a crime. The activities usually involved in clearing include preserving the area properly, providing priority to the injured in terms of availing medical interventions, and excluding all unauthorized people at the crime place (Frade, 2017). Many people usually flow to the scene of a crime, and this might cause interference to any form of investigation and evaluation.
Surveying
Surveying the crime scene is the second procedure conducted at the place of crime whenever a crime arises in any particular place. In particular, this entails surveying the area and obtaining an overview of the scene as well as developing a functional strategy to undertake the search.
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Assigning Tasks
This particular stage involves the identification of a command center in which all investigators will subdivide their tasks accordingly. Particularly important is that it eliminates any form of confusion at the scene of a crime (Frade, 2017). This is an important step in carrying out a crime scene investigation due to its ability to provide clarity regarding the duty of every officer at the present place.
Searching the Crime Scene
This stage leads to the actual activity of identifying the culprits as well as tangible evidence of a crime. Searching will lead to the discovery of tools and other materials used in carrying out a particular crime. The principal aim of this particular step is to locate evidence that will, in turn, assist in locating the actual culprits.
Conduction of a Final Survey
This is the last procedure in securing and searching. It involves a visual overview, an inventory of all the evidence collected. And neutralization of all safety threats at the scene of a crime (Frade, 2017). Safety threats include any object or activity that could initiate damage or injury to persons within the scene of the crime. This particular step is very crucial in promoting safety to personnel involved in an investigation of a crime.
Methods of Recording the Crime Scene
A crime scene needs to have clear and descriptive recordings to facilitate the investigation of a crime. Several methods are available for recording a crime film in a manner that will capture all the necessary details at the site. The following are some of the methods used in recording.
Notes
Note-taking is an effective method of recording a crime scene and should begin right from the call to report a crime (Frade, 2017). An investigator should record in the form of notes the name of the person that made a call as well as the exact time of the call. Upon reaching the scene of a crime, an investigator should note it down. The names of the people present at the scene and the actual time of arrival to the point.
Photography of a crime scene
This method provides visual evidence in criminal investigations. Investigators should learn good principles of crime photography to maximize capturing details at any scene of the crime (Frade, 2017). Photographs taken at the scene of a crime ought to be of high quality.
Film and Digital Photography
This method uses light technology to produce images that enable investigators to understand certain aspects of a crime scene (Frade, 2017). The main difference between film and digital photography is the method used to convert light into images.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the above discussion indicates that a crime scene is an area. That requires exclusion to facilitate a fruitful search. Securing a crime is the first and most important step in undertaking any effective evaluation. All crime scene investigators should have adequate knowledge of the standard procedures necessary in searching the identified crime suspects. Any evidence collected requires ultimate preservation and storage for future use. Investigators should always take notes right from the time they receive a report. After a thorough investigation and once the culprit has been identified they are given the right to defend themselves. This will allow them to look for Criminal Defense Lawyers.