Crime Scene Investigation

Approach the Scene:

The crime scene investigator returns the microphone to its clip and begins the drive to the latest assignment. A crime scene investigation begins well before the CSI enters a structure, an open field or wooded area. Usually the radio dispatch message is brief and seldom reveals the full nature of the incident. Most often this is done to avoid drawing on-lookers and the media who may be monitoring the dispatch frequency. As the CSI turns onto the street in question, his first obligation is to "turn on" his powers of observation. He may make a mental note of what he sees, hears and smells-or better still-records them on a digital voice recorder. His first reaction to the scene must be, "Does anything look out of place? What

Be certain to include scales in the close-up shots.

Prepare the Crime Scene Sketch:

Many CSIs will prepare the rough sketch at the scene and will complete a detailed sketch back at headquarters. The rough sketch should contain no more or no less than the final, detailed sketch. It is always recommended that an assistant help out when taking measurements, and it's a good idea is to have this individual verify each measurement to avoid questions later.

Conduct a Detailed Search:

Go over every square inch of the scene in an attempt to locate even the smallest particle of evidence. (This brings to mind a recent case wherein a woman was brutally beaten to death in her bedroom. Several days after the crime scene was released to the family, the victim's sister found a tooth from the victim on the bedroom carpet). Many crime scenes warrant the use of an evidence vacuum in the scene to collect any potential microparticle evidence such as hair and fibers. This step should be performed prior to any close in inspection of the

When you have a mass shooting, the perimeter is bigger and you have to have a bigger team and break them up in units. What I mean is this. You have to have a team of photographers in different sections, then you have a team of trace evidence collectors in sections. You want a team of blood spatter and latent fingerprint specialists in sections. You also might want a team of ballistic experts out there and finally you may want to bring a forensic psychologist just in case you apprehended the suspect and have your psychologist get an understanding for the mass murder or just shooting