Paper Example on Securing and Collection of Evidence

Introduction

Blood, hair, and ammunition samples play an instrumental role in providing evidence following a violent crime. Serious considerations have to be made to ensure that these types of evidence are appropriately collected and packaged in a manner that prevents loss and contamination. The current event involves the collection of evidence at a crime scene after a homicide case. There are different types of evidence at the scene, and the first procedure will involve photographing the whole scene. A knife can be applied to collect blood flakes. Drawings of the shell casing and the gun will be made before recovery of the same. Knowledge about the about the tests to be performed in a laboratory ensures that samples are retrieved and packaged in a manner that preserves their relevance.

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Collection Procedures

The first step before collecting traces of evidence includes taking photographs of the crime scene including any blood patterns. Evidence on the walking paths has to be obtained first to avoid contamination and loss of such traces. All the collected items will be marked and recorded in an evidence log to be applied while dropping the samples at the crime laboratory. The evidence log has to match the photos, and the descriptions in the scene report (Geberth, 2016). For instance, the serial number of the gun will be recorded, and it has to match the serial number on the gun photo.

Dried blood is in different places some on the victim clothing and other traces are on the floor and nearby small objects. Blood found on small objects is recoverable by collecting the entire item. Covering a large piece, enclosing the stained section with paper and applying sell tape around the envelope helps in gathering blood stains on large objects. Moreover, a fingerprint tape can be used to lift the blood sample together with the surrounding area. Still, a sharp object including a knife to scrap flakes from the dried stains and pack the same into a paper packet. Blood found on clothing is recoverable by cutting the entire section (Geberth, 2016). Identified hair at the crime scene is rifted and put in an envelope.

It is vital to diagram the location and the condition of the handgun before collecting the same. The bullets and the casing at the crime scene are recoverable by putting them back to the gun. Picking the gun by holding it from the textured surface at the grips prevents adding unnecessary fingerprints on the weapon. It is vital to ensure that the gun barrel does point at anyone while picking it (Geberth, 2016). Still, it is critical to take notes about the condition of the recovered weapons and taking steps to render it safe without destroying potential evidence. Shell cases are collected by taking accurate measurements and drawing a sketch of their location.

Packaging

Once the collection process is over, the investigator has to follow various considerations while packing the items to prevent contamination and loss of evidence during transportation. Any clothing items containing traces of dried blood have to are packaged in sealed paper bags. Importantly, paper bags should not be plastic ones. Drying dump traces in the air that is free from movement is vital before transportation (Geberth, 2016). Tool marks can be used to match the tools found at the scene. To preserve the collected traces of hair, I will put them in a clean envelope or a piece of paper with sealed corners. Importantly, placing the first envelope in a secondary one guards against the risks of a tear during the transportation process. The casings and bullets will be packaged in and put in small cardboard boxes (Geberth, 2016). The firearms have to be unloaded and packed in a specially designed box that allows for secure holding of the handgun.

Tools

Hammers and crowbars are useful in cutting and separating pieces of metal that are part of the evidence. A blood collection kit will include cellophane tape to lift stained blood from surfaces and disposable scalpels to cut part of the victim clothing containing blood stains. Other items include a knife to retrieve flakes of dried blood, pieces of cotton wool to collect wet blood and coin envelopes to pack the blood samples. Other things include permanent markers, cell tape, and a protractor to measure the angles of the blood patterns that would be vital in determining the position of the perpetrator (Geberth, 2016). A pair of forceps will be critical in lifting the hair traces and putting them in an envelope. A cardboard box will be used to pack the handgun, and tool marks are vital in marking the gun.

Tests at the Laboratory

A serological test is vital in ascertaining that red stains collected contain human blood. A positive serological test leads to the next step of determining the owner of the collected blood (Geberth, 2016). A Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) analysis is vital in extracting the DNA profile from the blood sample which helps in ascertaining that the blood comes from either the perpetrator or the victim or a mixture of blood from both of them. A microscopic comparison is instrumental in identifying the shape, texture, and color of the sample. Chemical analysis ascertains the presence of drugs, toxins and other chemicals in the sample. An analyst can result in a DNA test where the hairs have follicles attached to determine the exact owner (Geberth, 2016). Collected hair from the suspect and the victim acts as control samples for comparison purposes and attempts to identify the sources where a DNA test is not applicable. Calipers and measuring devices are instrumental in determining the weight of the handgun. A stereo microscope is vital in determining the class of bullets and the shotshell cases. Moreover, special equipment measures the trigger pull that is vital in ascertaining whether the perpetrator has used a gun before.

Conclusion

To sum up, knowledge about the safety measures during evidence collection is essential to a fruitful exercise. Keeping the reasons for collecting the samples in mind ensures caution in the recovery process. Safe packing guards against loss and contamination during transportation. Blood traces found at the scene have to be put in separate envelopes since the samples must not come from the victim. An evidence log ensures accountability in the handling of evidence and provides safe custody of the same.

References

Geberth, V. J. (2016). Practical homicide investigation: Tactics, procedures, and forensic techniques. CRC Press.

Robinson, E. M. (2016). Crime scene photography. Academic Press.