Crime Scene Examination: The Death Scene Checklist
The Initial Death Scene Examination
The crime scene examination and subsequent search should be done in a
careful and methodical manner. After talking to the officer(s) who were the
first ones on the scene and learning from them of any changes that might have
been made to the scene since their arrival, such as turning lights on or off or
opening doors or windows, start the examination by working your way into the
body using great care to avoid disturbing or destroying any evidence as you do.
Carefully observe the floor or ground surrounding the body. Look for items of
evidence or of evidential value such as stains, marks, etc. Remember to look up
too, every crime scene is 3 dimensional. Another technique to you assist in
locating evidence is to shine a flashlight on the ground at an oblique angle.
Yes, even in the daytime. Look at the items as they are located. Pay close
attention to everything as you approach the body at this time, do not dismiss
anything until its evidentuary value can be determined. Are there any
footprints or drag marks? Is there anything on the floor or ground that may be
stepped on or destroyed?
Only one investigator at a time should approach the body! Determine what,
if anything, has been moved or altered by the suspect(s) or anyone else prior
to your arrival. Has the body been moved? If so, by whom and for what reason?
Never move or alter the positioning of the body! Make close visual examinations of the body and the area immediately around
it. Look between the arms and legs without moving them. Look at the arms, hands
and fingers. Are there defense wounds? Is there anything under the nails that
you can see at this time? If you can, try to determine the cause of death and
the instrument or method used. Take careful notes of the external appearance of
the body and the clothing or lack of clothing. Look at or for lividity,
decomposition, direction of blood flow patterns, remember the law of gravity.
Is the blood flow consistant with it? Make
detailed notes.
Describe the clothing, and especially the condition of the clothing. Do
folds or rolls indicate the body had been dragged? If so, in what direction?
Note those folds and rolls, diagram them then photograph them. They could
assist you in determining the method of transportation or placement of the body
at the location where it was found. There could be trace evidence in the folds
and rolls too.
Describe the location and appearance of wounds, bruises, etc. Make careful
and detailed observations. Describe not only what you see, but also what you do
not see! Forget about what you think you see! If something is missing, note it.
For example, if you observe an area on the wrist that is not tanned by the sun,
note it. DO NOT state that a wristwatch is missing. What if the victim had an
I.D. bracelet or sweatband on instead? Never ASSUME! Examine the scene for the
presence and absense of blood. If any is located, note the amount, size and
shape of the drops and degree of coagulation or separation of it. Photograph it
using a scale and always taking the pictures from a 90 degree angle.
At this time, you should be making a sketch of the scene. It can be a
rough, freehand sketch drawn on a blank piece of paper or in your notebook. You
should include in the sketch things like the location of all doors, windows,
furniture, the victim and anything else you feel it is necessary to document. A
sketch should be made in all murder cases and any other case involving a death
where there is any question of cause or at the discretion of the investigator.
Measurements can then be made of the location to show the size of the area
drawn, the width and height of doors, windows, tables, the bed or any other
items needed. This will also geographically locate the victims body and items
of evidence within the scene. If the investigator is reasonably sure this is
not a natural death and he/she is going to proceed with the investigation as if
it is a murder, then at a later date, a detailed formal diagram should be drawn
using drafting tools, a scale and a uniform format. Photos of the scene can
give a distorted view of the relationship of the body to other fixed objects
due to camera angle, size of lense, lighting, etc. To accurately depict the
scene it is possible to use photos in conjunction with the finished diagram.
Something to keep in mind about the sketch is this, you should have enough
information in it so you could give it to another investigator and that person
would be able to complete a finished diagram without the need to revisit the
scene.
Photographs
The investigator should have the photographer, if one is available, or, if
not that lucky, then the investigator himself should ensure that;
- Overall photos of the scene are taken to show the
approach to the area, street signs, street light locations in relation to
the actual scene, street addresses and identifying objects at the scene.
Pictures should also be taken of every room in the house, even if their
relationship to the crime scene is not readily apparent.
- Photograph the scene in a clockwise pattern
before altering the body's position or any other evidence within the
scene. Photograph the scene from at least 2 opposite corners, but from all
four corners is even better. This way, nothing is missed or hidden from
view by intervening objects.
- Photograph the body and the immediate vicinity
around the body. If you have a camera boom, take pictures from ceiling
height down of the victim and any other evidence. This perspective often
shows things missed when viewed from ground or eye level.
- Keep a photo log.
Another idea to keep in mind when photographing the exterior of an indoor
scene or an exterior scene is to take photos of the spectators who are standing
around watching the activities. Many times the perpetrator will return to
observe the actions of the police or fire personnel. This seems to be
especially true in arson cases. Additionally, photos may help identify reluctant
witnesses who can be identified and interviewed at a later time.
Once the photos are taken, the investigator should now make a detailed
examination of the victim. Are the eyes and/or mouth open or closed, what is
the color of skin, of the nails and hands or lips. The presence or absence of
blood, saliva, vomit, lung purge, their direction and flow. The best idea is to
begin at the head and work down to the feet. Look for cuts, bruises, stab
wounds or bullet holes. Document maggot activity if present. When the body is
moved, check the underside of the body for wounds and underneath the body for
items of an evidentiary value. Record the temperature of the body, the surface
it is laying on, and the interface area between the two. Obtain the ambient
temperature. If a maggot mass is present, take the temperature of the mass.
Do not attempt to learn the victims identity by going through the pockets
of the victims clothing. If his/her identity cannot be established by other
means at the scene, the investigator can obtain this information when it is
made available at the Medical Examiners office later. Identification photos and
finger and palm prints should be taken at the Medical Examiners office too. In
some jurisdictions these things can be done at the scene. If the Medical
Examiner is comfortable with the competency of the crime scene investigators or
if their forensic investigators are present to observe and document the actions
of the crime scene investigators, some Medical Examiners will not have a
problem with these things being done at the scene.
Notifying the Medical Examiner
The crime scene investigator, the detective or the supervisor on the scene
should notify the medical examiner of the type of death case they are
investigating. Since the determination of cause and manner of death often
depends on the evidence recovered at the scene, the Medical Examiner may elect
to respond to the scene personally or send one of his forensic investigators in
his place.
The agency's relationship with the Medical Examiners office is crucial to
the successful investigation of any case. A relationship of trust and honesty
is essential. Since any investigation requires a team effort, steps must be
taken to ensure that a harmonious atmosphere is in place and remains that way.
There are certain notifications that must be made during the preliminary
investigation. The Medical Examiners Office should be notified and apprised of
the situation as soon as possible after a murder has been discovered. They
should also be notified if there is any unattended or suspicious death being
investigated. If any change in status in the case occurs, they should be made
aware of it. Florida law charges the Medical Examiner with determining the
cause and manner of death in any case that he deems necessary, including but
not limited to murder, unattended death cases, suicides and cases involving
communicable diseases or public health hazards. The prompt notification will
also result in the timely arrival of trained professionals who can assist the
investigator in the determination of an approximate time of death.
Continuing the Search
Search the immediate area around the body (divide the room into a grid and
work outward from the body). Have another investigator retrace your steps and
recheck the grids for any missed evidence.
REMEMBER, all scenes are
three dimensional, never forget too look up too! Do not touch areas or articles
which have the possibility of being processed for latent fingerprints.
Expand the search to the remainder of the building or scene. Personal
notepads, diaries, phone books and answering machines or the tapes in them are
good sources of information. Check the caller I.D. unit. Missing personal
belongings or items that have been moved or removed may provide valuable information.
The scope or intensity of the search of the scene depends on the particular
situation and the conditions present. It would be difficult to proceed with a
detailed examination of a scene without adequate lighting. To do so would
probably result in the overlooking of evidence or the destruction of trace or
latent evidence. It is impossible to describe all the possibilities which could
occur in an improper search of a scene. In the end, it depends on the training,
experience and judgement of the investigator and upon the same factors relating
to those he/she calls on to assist. One final note, be cognizant of someones
expectation of privacy or legal standing. If that possibility exists, a search
warrant or written consent to search must be obtained.
Fingerprint Evidence
Latent prints are left by
the contact of the palmar surfaces of the hands and/or bare feet of a person
are probably the most valuable piece of evidence at any crime scene. The term
"latent" means hidden, not visible. However, for the purpose of this
instruction, a latent print is considered as one which is obtained in
conjunction with an investigation involving a possible identification. There
are three main types of prints which may be obtained in an investigation, they
are; 1) visible or patent prints, 2) molded or plastic prints and 3) latent
prints.
Visible or Patent Prints are those prints which have been made by transferring a foreign substance,
such as ink, blood, grease or dust from the crests of the papillary ridges to
the surface of the object touched. The most common type is the dust print. When
a finger comes in contact with a thin layer of dust, some of the dust sticks to
the friction ridges. When the finger subsequently comes in contact with or
against a clean surface, a fingerprint results or, when the finger is removed
from the surface, the ridges pull away the dust, leaving the fingerprint. This
print in some cases may be so clear that it can be successfully searched in a
single fingerprint file.
An excellent print may also be left when the finger is contaminated by
other substances such as ink, soot, flour, paint, facial oils, etc.
Fingerprints in blood are not uncommon in murder investigations, but can be
indistinct and less reliable for identification. They could require chemical
enhancement to make them identifiable.
Molded or Plastic Prints are those prints that occur when the finger touches or presses against a
soft pliable surface such as putty, wax, an adhesive, grease, drying paint,
blood or soap. Impressions in the skin of a deceased victim have also been
observed. A negative or reversed impression of the friction ridge pattern is
thereby produced as a molded or plastic print. Such a print may also be found
in paint or recently painted objects or surfaces.
Latent Prints are those
prints made by natural skin secretions such as perspiration, sebaceous oils and
dirt being deposited on an object touched from the details in the friction
ridge patterns. Latent prints are usually found on objects with smooth,
polished surfaces or on paper. Under favorable conditions, however, they may
also appear on rougher surfaces like tightly woven materials, starched fabrics,
vegetation, wood or even human skin.
Photographing Prints found at
the scene should always be photographed prior to attempting to lift them. This
is recommended since it is much easier to introduce print evidence into court
if it has been recorded. Especially since parts of the object on which the
print was located will also be visible in the photograph. If a good lift is
obtained during the investigation and it is identified as being that of the
suspect, it may be necessary to have the photograph enlarged. Copies of the
photos can also be made available for the attorneys and jurors. When taking the
photos of the prints, always use a scale or other measuring devise and take the
photo at a 90 degree angle to the surface to prevent any distortion to the
print when it is being photographed. Make sure the scale is visible in the
picture and that the inches or metric notation is visible. It is also a good
habit to indicate where up is in the picture since the orientation of the print
can be useful information.
Prints from sources other than fingers are also obtained at crime scenes. While it is usually true that more
fingerprints are obtained in investigations than prints from any other
papillary skin surface, it should be mentioned that any palmar (palm, wrist) or
plantar (foot, toe) skin designs can also serve to positively identify the
suspect. In some cases, lip and ear prints have also been recovered.
Expanding
the Search
Once the investigators have completed their examination and the body has
been removed, the investigators should take time to systematically check the
remainder of the house, business, vehicle or location and carefully note items
of evidence or conditions which may shed any additional light on the
investigation. These can
include;
- Doors, are they locked or bolted (from the inside
or outside), are there marks of forced entry, does the doorbell work, is
there a doorknocker, are there scratches around the keyhole, etc.
- Windows, what type, are they locked or unlocked,
open or broken, note the type and position of curtains, drapes or blinds.
- Newspapers and mail, is the mail unopened or read
or not, check the postmarks on envelopes and the dates of newspapers.
- Lights, which ones were on when the crime was
discovered, how are they controlled, by timers, motion sensors or
switches. Can they be seen from the outside. Are the bulbs broken or
unscrewed?
- Smells, do you or did the first responding
officer notice the smell of gas, tobacco, alcohol, perfume, gun powder or
anything else unusual.
- Kitchens, was food being prepared, if so, what
kind (it may or may not correspond with the victims stomach contents). Is
there food that was partially eaten, utensils, glasses or plates. Is the
stove warm or still on, Are there signs of attempts to burn or wash away
evidence. Are
there signs of clean up attempts.
- Heating/Air Conditioners, what type is it, is it
vented or unvented (carbon monoxide can kill). What is the thermostat setting.
- Are there signs of a party, such as empty bottles
(note the labels, brands, types of liquor, etc.) are there cups, glasses
and what is their contents, how many are there, is lipstick on any of
them, how many places are set at the table.
- Note contents of ashtrays, cigarette packs and
butts, brands, the way in which the cigarettes were extinguished, is there
tooth marks or lipstick on them. Remember, DNA is easily obtained from the
butts, preserve them properly.
- Contents of waste baskets and trash cans, has
anyone been going through them looking for anything, is the trash in
proper order (dates on newspapers, letters, etc.).
- Clocks and watches, are they wind-up or electric.
Are they running, do they show the right time, what time are alarm clocks
set for. Check
timers on VCR's, microwave ovens, etc.
- Bathrooms and vanities, are towels, rags etc.
damp to touch or dry. Are they bloodstained. Check for signs that the
suspect cleaned up afterwards or was injured and bled at the scene. Is the
toilet seat and lid left up? In a womans house, this could be a piece of
important information. Check medicine cabinets for drugs, check the tanks
of toilets, that is a great place to hide things.
- General disorder, is there evidence of a
struggle, is the place just dirty, etc.
- Shootings, how many bullets were fired, account
for all of them if possible, find cartridge cases (number and location
found) if there are any bullet holes (number and location), was the weapon
left at the scene. There may be expended cartridge casings found laying on
the floor, rug or on furniture. It is recommended to mark these items,
after photographing them first, with numbered markers to prevent their
being moved, altered or damaged. If necessary, they may be protected by
placing water glasses over them.
- Stabbing and beatings, was the instrument left at
the scene, could it have come from that location or was it brought to the
scene by the suspect.
- Blood, document the location, degree of
coagulation, type (spots, stains, spatters, pooling, etc.). Sketch and
photograph the bloodstains. Remember, when a body fluid begins to
decompose, it will discharge a reddish brown fluid which resembles blood,
when describing this, be objective, call it what it is, a reddish brown
fluid. Bloodspatter analysis may be used to reconstruct violent crimes.
Carefully photograph all blood patterns using scales. DO NOT cover up
patterns with the scales if possible. Remember, always look up, cast-off
spatter will probably be on the ceiling.
- Hangings and strangulation, what instrument or
means was used, was it obtained in the house or brought to the scene, are
there any portions remaining. If a suspected auto-erotic death, look for
signs of prior activities such as rope marks on door frames or rafters. Be
prepared for scene re-arranging by ashamed family members. Remember, do
not cut the victim down if he/she is obviously dead until all aspects of
the investigation have been covered. Never cut through the knot and always
use a piece of string tied to each end of the cut to re-connect the
circle.
- Look at stairs, hallways, entries and exits to
the scene, check for footprints, debris, discarded items and fingerprints.
Attempt to determine the route used to enter and exit the scene by the
suspect and avoid contaminating it.
- Presence of items that do not belong there, many
suspects, in the heat of the moment, will leave items of great evidential
value, don't overlook this possibility.
- Is there signs of ransacking, to what degree, if
any, has the scene been ransacked. Was anything taken (relatives and
friends can assist in making this determination).
- Look for hiding places for weapons which the
suspect may have had to conceal quickly, check behind stoves, on top of
tall furniture, behind books, among bedclothes, under the mattress, on the
roof.
Personal Information
Is the victim married or in a relationship? Determine as much about the
state of the marriage or relationship as possible, for example, abuse,
infidelity on either partners part, drug or alcohol abuse, monetary problems.
Is there a suicide note, if so does it appear genuine or staged? Process for
prints, get handwriting samples from the other occupants of the location. Has
the victim threatened suicide recently, has he/she been despondent, what has
happened recently to prompt or preclude such actions? Check the victims
computer.
Curious Onlookers at the Scene
Many additional problems are caused by curious onlookers at the scene when
a body is discovered. The major concern is, of course, to protect the scene
from destruction or contamination by onlookers and curious police officers. The
latter group usually presents the most problems. Police Officers are naturally
curious and generally have to see things for themselves. Detailed follow-up
investigations of many crimes have revealed that various items initially
thought to be of great evidential value were actually left by curious police
officers.
It will never be known how much valuable time has been wasted and how much
evidence has been destroyed by the mere presence of policemen. Just standing
around or leaning against a doorway may grind evidence into the ground or smear
a good fingerprint. The investigator should explain these facts to the officers
present and if the officers are not needed, request that they leave the scene.
Most officers are cooperative and no difficulty should be encountered if the
matter is presented properly. Occasionally, a problem presents itself when a
high-ranking officer appears on the scene. If it becomes apparent that their
presence could result in the destruction of evidence, their cooperation should
be elicited in leaving the scene. The use of a log or name list of everyone
entering the crime scene also helps discourage the curious. When good latent
fingerprints are found, every person who has been present at the scene,
including the victim, must be fingerprinted for identification and/or
elimination purposes.
The police should use tact and courtesy when dealing with civilian
witnesses and crowds. This approach serves several purposes. It will gain as
much cooperation from people as possible under the circumstances and it may
result in a witness, who is an onlooker, coming forward with valuable
information. This is especially important in areas where past experiences
indicates that the hostility of onlookers is easily aroused. In some
situations, the mood of the crowd may become so ugly that the police are forced
to leave the scene before they can complete their investigation.
Populated areas, usually
consist of streets, sidewalks, communities, etc. and requires the presence of
officers to protect the scene. If not, physical barriers such as crime scene
tape, vehicles or sawhorses may be needed. In some cases, a detailed search of
an entire area may be necessary. This can be done most effectively by cordoning
off the area and dividing it into manageable sections to be searched
individually. Remember, when setting the boundaries of the crime scene, make it
cover as large an area as possible. It is much easier to shrink it down later
that to try to expand it once the boundaries have been established. And a news
cameraman is standing where you want to expant the scene to.
To avoid destroying evidence in areas of heavy weed or brush, a pathway may
be marked off using string or flags and used as the sole entrance and exit to
the scene until the search is finished. The pathway should be carefully
examined first to ensure no evidence is lost.
Officers should never overlook the potential of any items found at or near
the scene. Investigators should conduct a neighborhood canvass for witnesses.
In Rural Settings, many
problems will present themselves that are found in urban settings. These are
handled in the same manner as an urban investigation. However, there can be
significant differences in a rural setting, these could include,
- Accessibility or the lack of it. Are 4 wheel
drive vehicles needed? Can it only be reached by boat or helicopter? Do
you need to pack all your equipment in with you?
- Length of time a body has been there prior to
discovery. This will cause many changes to the scene such as
decomposition, animal activity and weather related destruction of the
evidence.
- Use care not to disturb the ground that may have
footprints or tire marks imbedded in it.
- Employ aerial photography. It will provide
information about routes or egress and exit to the area, traffic patterns
and location of homes, etc. This is true in both rural and urban settings.
Evidence
As a rule, in the absence of a crime scene investigator, the removal and
submission of evidence should be restricted to the lead investigator or lead
uniform officer. When evidence is discovered by persons other than the
investigator, these items should be, if possible, pointed out to the investigator
for his collection and removal to avoid a long list of witnesses or links in
the ever growing chain of custody needed for court at a later date. Remember if
the scene is being worked by a crime scene investigator, that is his/her scene.
They are in command of the scene itself. All other law enforcement personnel
present are there to assist that investigator.
There can be situations where the finder of the evidence should collect and
log it rather than give it to the investigator. This will reduce the chain of
custody but still requires the finder to advise the investigator of its
discovery, location and identity. Any evidence so moved must be photographed
first.
Evidence can be marked for proper identification. This can be nothing more
than the recording of a serial number or the physical placement of your unique
mark directly on the item. If marking items, make sure you do not cause the
destruction of latent prints or other marks such as tool marks or ballistic
identifiers. When
submitting evidence;
- Give a complete description of all evidence
submitted including, date, time, location recovered and who recovered it.
- Illustrate the chain of custody and indicate who
will be needed to testify in court about that specific piece of evidence
and why.
- If a search warrant was obtained, include that
information.
- List the evidence recovered in a chronological
order and include the exact location of recovery. This could include
measurements.
Finally
The previously listed suggestions are provided as a basic guideline and are
the opinion of the author. They are based on his experience, training and
observations. They are not meant to be an exhaustive, complete list of actions
to be taken at a crime scene. Each scene is unique. Each scene requires
detailed and complete processing techniques. If you rely on the training you
have received, the observation of others working their scenes and the lessons
learned from working previous scenes of your own, you will continue to grow and
evolve, providing your jurisdiction with the finest possible work product you
are capable of producing.
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