The new Crime Scene Investigator
You are an investigator on your way to a murder crime scene. Research the following points, and write a 4–6-page paper fully explaining each point:
• The new Crime Scene Investigator assigned to work for you has never processed a homicide scene before. While en route to the scene, you discuss with your new partner the details you were given by the dispatcher. You discuss methods of crime scene searching with each other.
• You have been provided 2 crime scene sketches. Click here for interior and here for exterior. Determine (based on the sketches) your suggested plans for searching the crime scene(s) in this scenario.
o Based on the sketches, signify the areas to be searched and the evidence that might be associated with this crime scene.
o 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?
Sample Solution
When arriving at a homicide crime scene, it is important to take the necessary steps in order to process the scene accurately. As the investigator assigned to this case, it is my responsibility to ensure that my partner (who has never processed a homicide scene before) and I are properly prepared for what lies ahead. While en route to the crime scene, there are several details I will discuss with my partner about methods of crime scene searching.
First, I will explain why documentation and collection of evidence is so essential during a murder investigation. For instance, taking photographs of both large and small objects can help capture valuable information that may be overlooked by the naked eye (Chermak & Gaines 2018). Additionally, taking notes on each object or piece of evidence found within the scene is also important for providing an accurate description later on when testifying in court (Chermak & Gaines 2018).
Secondly, I will inform my partner about different types of patterns associated with homicides such as contact wounds or gunshot residues which can provide key insights into understanding how exactly this incident occurred (DeHaan et al., 2019). Furthermore, discussing various strategies when identifying potential points of entry/exit would be beneficial as well since this could lead us towards discovering any possible witnesses who may have seen something suspicious prior to our arrival at the location (DeHaan et al., 2019).
Thirdly and finally, I would remind my partner that we must approach every homicide investigation systematically by first outlining each area that needs processing including areas where evidence would most likely reside such as doorways or windowsill’s; areas where fingerprints might remain such as furniture surfaces; evidence from clothing articles like bloodstains or fibers —all these details should be taken into consideration when trying to collect pertinent information regarding exactly what happened within this particular setting (Gardner & Anderson 2020).
Overall, preparation is crucial for successful completion of any given task—especially those involving life-altering events like homicides. By reviewing pertinent topics related to crime scenes such as documentation methods and pattern recognition strategies while en route—my new partner’s transition into becoming an effective Crime Scene Investigator will become much more seamless than originally anticipated.
