Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation

by Fisher, Barry A. J.

• ISBN13: 9780849381195
• ISBN10: 0849381193
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-01-01
• Publisher: CRC Pr I Llc

Summary

Examines the concepts, field-tested techniques and procedures, and technical information that constitute the backbone of crime scene investigation. Includes check-off lists, crime scene investigation processes as seen after the O.J. Simpson trial, case studies, illustrated photos, and an appendix on equipment for crime scene investigations. Previous edition: c1992.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xiii
Preface	xv
The Author	xvii
Prologue	xxiii
Introduction	1	(20)
Identification and Individualization of Physical Evidence	6	(5)
Collection and Preservation of Physical Evidence	11	(5)
Important Considerations in Crime Scene Investigations	16	(2)
Expert Witness Tips	18	(2)
Teamwork	20	(1)
First Officer at the Crime Scene	21	(20)
The First Officer at the Scene	25	(16)
Recording the Time	28	(1)
Entering the Scene Proper	28	(1)
Protecting the Integrity of the Scene	29	(2)
Injured Person on the Scene	31	(1)
Dead Person on the Scene	32	(1)
Summoning the Coroner	32	(2)
Firearms and Ammunition on the Scene	34	(2)
When a Suspect is Found at the Scene	36	(1)
What to Do Until the Investigating Personnel Arrive	37	(1)
The Continued Protection of the Scene	38	(3)
The Crime Scene Investigator	41	(14)
Actual Examination of the Scene	50	(5)
Specialized Personnel at the Crime Scene	55	(20)
Health and Safety Issues at Crime Scenes	62	(11)
Chemical/Biological Terrorist Crime Scenes	62	(5)
Health and Safety Considerations for Crime Scene Personnel	67	(6)
Conclusion	73	(2)
Processing the Crime Scene	75	(24)
Plan of Action	75	(1)
Note Taking	75	(3)
Crime Scene Search	78	(4)
Crime Scene Photography	82	(7)
Types of Cameras	82	(6)
Admissibility of Photographs	88	(1)
Videotape	88	(1)
Sketching the Crime Scene	89	(3)
Information Included in Crime Scene Sketches	90	(1)
Equipment	90	(1)
Types of Sketches	90	(1)
Locating Objects in the Sketch	91	(1)
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)	92	(1)
Admissibility of Sketches	92	(1)
Collection of Evidence	92	(7)
Establishing Identity	99	(62)
Fingerprints and Palm Prints	99	(1)
How Do Fingerprints Occur?	100	(1)
Where to Look for Fingerprints	100	(23)
Different Types of Fingerprints	102	(2)
Fingerprint Developing Techniques	104	(1)
Development with Powders	105	(6)
Lasers and Alternative Light Sources	111	(2)
Image Processing	113	(1)
Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems	113	(2)
Preservation of Fingerprints	115	(1)
How Long Does a Fingerprint Remain on an Object?	116	(1)
The Effect of Temperature Conditions on the Possibility of Developing Fingerprints	117	(1)
Examination of Developed Fingerprints	117	(1)
Palm Prints	118	(1)
Packing Objects on Which Prints are Found	118	(1)
Taking Fingerprints for Elimination	118	(4)
Prints of Other Coverings	122	(1)
Handwriting Examination	123	(7)
Identification of Human Remains	130	(31)
Taking of Fingerprints	134	(4)
Photographing	138	(5)
Marks of Trades or Occupations	143	(1)
Making a Description	143	(2)
The Deceased's Clothing	145	(1)
Laundry Marks	146	(1)
Watchmaker's Marks	146	(1)
Jewelry	147	(1)
Eyeglasses	147	(1)
Teeth	148	(2)
Facial Reconstruction	150	(1)
Determination of Gender	150	(1)
Determination of Age	151	(1)
Length of Body	152	(1)
Hair Color	153	(1)
Blood Type	153	(1)
Identification in Catastrophes	153	(8)
Trace Evidence and Miscellaneous Material	161	(56)
Source of Trace Evidence	161	(7)
Clothing	161	(2)
Footwear	163	(2)
Evidence from the Body	165	(1)
Trace Metal Detection	165	(1)
Other Objects as Sources of Trace Evidence	166	(2)
Collection and Preservation of Trace Evidence	168	(1)
Examples of Trace Evidence	169	(29)
Building Materials	169	(2)
Asbestos	171	(1)
Safe Insulation	171	(1)
Paint	171	(2)
Rust	173	(1)
Metals	173	(4)
Textiles and Fibers	177	(3)
Buttons	180	(1)
Cordage and Rope	180	(2)
Cigarettes and Tobacco	182	(3)
Matches	185	(1)
Burned Paper	186	(1)
Ash	187	(1)
Soil	187	(1)
Wood	188	(3)
Plant Material	191	(1)
Glass	191	(7)
Objects Left at the Crime Scene	198	(10)
Paper	200	(1)
Articles of Clothing	200	(1)
Product Markings	200	(1)
Foodstuffs	201	(1)
Cosmetics	201	(1)
Hair	201	(4)
Feathers	205	(1)
Electrical Wire	205	(1)
Broken Tools	206	(1)
Tape	206	(2)
Headlamps	208	(1)
Computer Seizure	208	(3)
Collecting Videotape Evidence	211	(3)
Determine if There is a Videotape	211	(1)
Stop the Recorder!	211	(1)
Confiscate the Tapes Immediately, Taking the Usual Chain-of-Evidence Steps	212	(1)
Document the Video System's Physical Relationship to the Crime Scene	212	(1)
Seek Technical Assistance if Problems Occur	213	(1)
Other Trace Evidence	214	(3)
Blood and Other Biological Evidence	217	(24)
A Word of Caution	217	(1)
Blood Spatter Pattern Recognition	218	(5)
Presumptive Tests for Blood	223	(1)
Searching for Bloodstains	224	(2)
Description and Recording of Bloodstains	226	(1)
Collection and Preservation of Bloodstains	226	(1)
Removal of Bloodstains	227	(1)
Bloodstained Objects	228	(1)
Blood Typing	229	(1)
Collection of Known Specimens	229	(1)
Forensic DNA Typing	230	(2)
RFLP-Based Technology	232	(1)
PCR-Based Technology	233	(1)
Mitochondrial DNA	234	(1)
CODIS	235	(1)
Forensic DNA and Unsolved Cases	236	(1)
SWGDAM	237	(2)
The Future	239	(2)
Impression Evidence	241	(36)
Footprints	250	(11)
The Value of Footprints	251	(1)
Preservation of Footwear and Tire Impressions	252	(1)
Footprints on Floors	252	(1)
Preservation of Footwear Evidence	252	(1)
Photographing Footwear Impressions	252	(2)
Casting with Dental Stone	254	(1)
Casting Water-Filled Impressions	254	(1)
Casting Impressions in Snow	255	(1)
Preservation of Footprints (Dust Prints)	256	(1)
Taking Comparison Footprints from a Suspect	257	(2)
Comparison of Footprints	259	(2)
Marks on Clothes and of Parts of the Body	261	(3)
Fabric Marks	261	(1)
Tooth Marks	261	(1)
The Preservation of Bite Marks	262	(2)
Casting Material for Bite Mark Evidence	264	(1)
Human Skin	264	(1)
Foods	264	(1)
Tool Marks	265	(9)
Preservation of Tool Marks	265	(1)
Casting Tool Marks	266	(2)
Trace Evidence on Tools	268	(4)
Preserving a Tool	272	(1)
Fragments of Tools	273	(1)
Typed Documents	274	(3)
Firearms Examination	277	(34)
Characteristics of Firearms	277	(3)
Ammunition	280	(1)
Firearms Evidence	280	(3)
Gunshot Residue Analysis	283	(2)
Collecting Firearms Evidence	285	(6)
Handling of Firearms	291	(5)
Cartridge Cases	296	(4)
Bullets	300	(8)
Marking Bullets	300	(5)
Small Shot	305	(2)
Test Firing	307	(1)
Powder Pattern Examination	307	(1)
DrugFire and IBIS	308	(3)
Arson and Exposives Evidence	311	(26)
Physical Evidence	314	(6)
Explosives	320	(6)
Low Explosives	321	(2)
High Explosives	323	(3)
Blasting Agents	326	(1)
Military Explosives	326	(1)
Homemade Explosives	327	(2)
Bomb Scene Investigation	329	(8)
Illicit Drugs and Toxicology	337	(16)
Psychoactive Drugs	337	(7)
Central Nervous System Depressants	337	(2)
Central Nervous System Stimulants	339	(1)
Hallucinogens	339	(5)
Crime Scene Search	344	(2)
Searching a Suspect	344	(1)
Searching a Dwelling	344	(2)
Searching a Vehicle	346	(1)
Clandestine Drug Laboratories	346	(3)
Collection and Preservation of Evidence	349	(1)
Toxicology	349	(4)
Investigation of Sexual Assault and Domestic Abuse Crimes	353	(16)
Rape	353	(8)
Preliminary Interview	353	(1)
Medical Examination	354	(3)
Collection of Physical Evidence	357	(2)
Date-Rape Drugs	359	(2)
Other Sexual and Abusive Assaults	361	(7)
Sexual Child Molestation and Incest	361	(1)
Homosexual Sexual Assault	362	(1)
Elder Abuse	362	(6)
Conclusion	368	(1)
Burglary Investigation	369	(18)
Points of Entry	370	(7)
Entry Through Windows	371	(1)
Entry Through Doors	371	(4)
Entry Through Basement Windows and Skylights	375	(1)
Entry Through Roofs	375	(1)
Entry Through Walls	375	(2)
Entry Through Floors	377	(1)
Simulated Burglaries	377	(1)
Detailed Examination of the Scene	378	(2)
Safe Burglaries	380	(7)
Safe Burglaries Using Explosives	383	(4)
Motor Vehicle Investigation	387	(24)
Vehicle Theft	388	(6)
Abandoned Vehicles	394	(8)
Homicide in a Vehicle	402	(1)
Hit-and-Run Investigation	403	(5)
Marks from Vehicles	408	(3)
Wheel Marks	408	(2)
Skid Marks	410	(1)
Homicide Investigation	411	(92)
Murder, Suicide, or Accident?	412	(1)
Cause of Death	412	(11)
Suicide	413	(4)
Signs of Struggle	417	(5)
Location of Weapon	422	(1)
Examination of a Dead Body at the Crime Scene	423	(5)
Murder	425	(3)
Detailed Examination of the Scene of the Crime	428	(4)
Outdoor Crime Scenes	432	(2)
Discovering a Body Hidden at Another Location	434	(1)
Investigation of a Greatly Altered Body or Skeleton	435	(2)
The Scene of Discovery	437	(5)
Outdoors	438	(3)
Indoors	441	(1)
Packing and Transporting	442	(1)
Determining the Number of Individuals	442	(1)
Examining Remains of Clothing and Other Objects	443	(2)
Clothing	443	(1)
Boots and Shoes	444	(1)
Other Objects	444	(1)
Estimating the Time of Death	445	(3)
Postmortem Signs of Death	445	(3)
Decomposition of the Body	448	(5)
Action of Insects and Other Animals on a Dead Body	449	(1)
Other Indications of Time of Death	450	(3)
The Autopsy	453	(35)
Injuries from External Mechanical Violence	454	(2)
Injuries from Sharp External Violence	456	(3)
Marks or Damage on Clothing	459	(1)
Defense Injuries	459	(1)
Firearm Injuries	460	(1)
Bullet Injuries	461	(2)
Close and Distant Shots	463	(5)
Damage to Clothes from Shooting	468	(1)
Modes of Death from Shooting	468	(3)
Death by Suffocation	471	(10)
Death from Electric Currents	481	(1)
Violent Death in Fires	482	(1)
Death by Freezing	483	(1)
Death by Poisoning	483	(5)
Rape-Homicide, Sexual Assault Related Murders	488	(1)
Infanticide and Child Abuse	489	(2)
Trunk Murder, Dismemberment of the Body	491	(2)
Serial Murders	493	(10)
Appendix	503	(4)
Bibliography	507	(32)
Index	539