Crime Scene Search: Methods for Homicide Investigations - Report Example

Introduction

The primary reason for carrying out a crime scene search is usually to assess the specifics of the incident under examination. Also, to locate and recover evidence at the scene that links the suspect and victims to the incident. It creates a relation between the pieces of evidence and their relational meaning. It helps to decide what activities took place during the crime scene (Fisher & Fisher, 2012). Having that this is a homicide scene, there are various crime scene search methods, and the most suitable one can be employed to enable efficient conduction of the search. These methods include the strip method, random search method, wheel search method, zonal method, outward and inward spiral method, and grid search method.

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Strip Method

In the strip method, imaginary strips are drawn in the crime scene, and then investigators walk through the lines searching for evidence (Svensson, Wendel, & Nicol, 1965). One person starts from one corner, critically searching, while the other starts from the opposite end heading towards the other searchers starting point.

Random Search Method

For the random search method, the investigators do not follow any specific algorithm in searching; the activity is done randomly by all investigators while they compare the evidence found (Fisher & Fisher, 2012). It is the most common method since it applies to complex crime scenes and in various location sizes.

Wheel Search Method

The wheel search method will not be applicable in this incident because it is suited in extensive outdoor scenes such as fields or other open areas (Fisher & Fisher, 2012). A circular boundary, ‘a wheel’ is drawn around the extension of the crime scene. It is divided into different zones, like a pie chart division. Then other investigators are assigned in each compartment. The search movement is from the epicenter towards the zone and back to meet and compare the information collected.

Zone Method

In the zone method, the incidence scene is essentially split into different areas. The number of regions the scene is divided into depends on the complexity and scale of the crime scene. The researches allocate themselves to other locations in which they will carry out the investigations. They can use various methods of search as UV or IR or video to scan their search area extensively for the evidence (Fisher & Fisher, 2012). After finishing the investigation, they exchange the zones to enable accuracy and to double-check in case the other researcher left out any essential item. This approach will not be suitable for small crime scenes such as elevators or stairs or shafts.

Spiral Method

In the spiral method, which entails both outward and inward spiral, two investigators move in different directions: one moves from the center in a spiral way heading at the periphery and at the same time, the other moves from the edge, leading inwards to the epicenter. This method is well suitable for both larger indoor and outdoor crime scenes that have fewer hindrances like furniture or equipment in the background.

Grid Search Method

For the grid search method, the integration of the strip method is applied. The first strips are horizontal, and then the next ones are vertical, thus forming a grid. The first researcher walks along with the vertical stripes while the other researcher walks along the horizontal strips. Once they are done, they exchange the lanes to ensure accuracy and that no critical evidence is left out during the search. This method is suitable for both large indoor and outdoor crime scenes.

Having been provided a sketch of the crime scene, designing a plan for the crime scene search is the first step to enable efficient evidence collection. The following are considered in coming up with the plan (Dutelle, 2014). The type of crime, there is a body lying in the open with a gunshot wound, indicating the possibility of murder. The nature of the crime, as detailed, is homicide. The size of the crime will be estimated upon arrival, the location of the crime scene, and the complexity of the crime scene.

Projectile Entry

Before coming up with a search method, upon arrival, the following will be looked for, there is an open door with one projectile entry. The door will be checked for the presence of any forced entry, such as having marks of locks that are broken or those of tools that were used to open it. The house will also be examined if it is in order or multiple signs of struggle. The victim lying outside will be evaluated to find out if she is in any messy position. In the house, any written material related to texts such as threats or anything that can be linked to the scene will be looked for: the kitchen will also be evaluated if it has any presence of food, partially eaten food and checked if the food was prepared or served for many people or just one person. Anything that seems out of place will be recorded. The gunshot wound will be analyzed to find out how many shots were fired and the presence of any shell casing, and the location of the weapon in the crime scene. Other crucial elements to be checked are any present foot marks or tire marks and the presence of any blood that has been spilled in the area beside the location of the corpse. The following is a precise plan that will be followed while conducting search operations in this crime scene.

Potential Threat

The first activity to be done upon arrival will be to ensure there is no potential threat to the investigating officers and other responders (Fish et al., 2013). This will be done by first arriving at the scene with optimum carefulness to prevent any danger. Then scanning the wooden areas and inside of the building. If there is any likelihood of a dangerous person, a call for the backup will be made immediately. The next step will be to identify and manage all the persons that will be found at the crime scene. This is to conserve the physical evidence by preventing movement. This will be handled professionally by identifying different persons such as relatives of the victim, bystanders, and other responders. Subsequently, the boundaries of the crime scene will be established, beginning with the center of the scene heading outward to cover the building, where the corpse is lying, and any potential paths either heading at the gate or in the woods. A crime scene tape will be placed to secure the scene. Once this is put in place, anyone coming in will be documented. Also, all the activities that will be carried out will be recorded.

Command Post

A command post will be established to enable persons such as the media to have a place where they can take photographs and video recordings and interviews without jeopardizing the crime scene security. All the necessary persons will be notified after this. If there will be any witnesses, they will be interviewed separately and then transported to the police station separately from each other for further investigations. The scenes will be numbered and prioritized as to which will be first and most investigated and which will be the last to be checked. The inside of the building will be top on the list to be searched; then the outer side will be checked the previous. A search method will then be selected for the scene walkthrough while observing maintenance of the evidence. A random search method will be applied during the inside building walkthrough, and a spiral search method will be used to gather evidence for the outside of the building. This is convenient since the sketch shows that the exterior of the scene has fewer obstacles.

Every finding will be recorded. This will be done by employing filling in the logs and taking notes. The logs entail details of the location, name, and description of the victim ad name of the investigating officers (Baxter, 2015). The time and date of arrival will also be recorded and unit of investigation identity. Other means of documenting will include photography and voice recording of the witnesses if there will be any albeit, the sketches are provided, they do not have intense analysis. Therefore, there will be detailed sketching that can provide critical information for research (Evans & French, 2009). The evidence collecting as per the priorities set will then be submitted to the respective authority for further analysis.

Conclusion

The important places to be searched will be first inside the building and around the building. After that following a spiral method, the wooden regions will be searched for any evidence. The gunshot wound at the forehead and its matching exit at the rear of the head is the most crucial evidence to be put into consideration. Also, the open door and state of the house are some of the evidence to be included. If there were any other persons available to assist with investigations, they would be notified of the status at the crime scene. The personnel would also be informed of the plan that is used to search then be given the assignments of searching the wooden area for any evidence while assisting with keeping any unnecessary persons from walking through the crime scene.

References

Baxter Jr, E. (2015). Complete crime scene investigation handbook. CRC press.

Dutelle, A. W. (2014). An introduction to crime scene investigation. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Y5JxOze2gIUC&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=factors+to+consider+in+a+crime+scene+investigation&ots=sgO7hHnVXu&sig=CroOf-vZ7-WDyFz-rRwKcTEO

IrsEvans, C., & French, J. L. (2009). Crime Scene Investigation. Infobase Publishing.

Fish, J. T., Miller, L. S., Braswell, M. C., & Wallace, E. W. (2013). Crime scene investigation. Routledge.
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=7fck5My-k64C&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=factors+to+consider+in+a+crime+scene+investigation&ots=qU9orHgQic&sig=T1zfRWwV8biQmjVcbkG5VbSJnQU

Fisher, B. A., & Fisher, D. R. (2012). Techniques of crime scene investigation. CRC Press.
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=dMMmPP8wRakC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=the+purpose+of+a+crime+scene+search&ots=7d6QOZONWI&sig=ReJjjF76be4wXBsUyU3ALqEvHvY.