NCJ Number
193377
Date Published
2000
Length
192 pages
Annotation
This book focuses on the basics of crime scene investigation.
Abstract
Chapter 1 provides an overview, detailing the Fourth Amendment, evidentiary values, elements of the crime, liability protection, chain of continuity or custody, and media relations. The ideal crime scene kit is discussed in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 describes the initial response to a crime scene with suggested procedures. The crime scene search is detailed in Chapter 4, along with interior and exterior searches, recording the search, the transient nature of short-lived evidence, and conditions related to the crime. Chapter 5 describes the process of evidence collection. This includes tire impressions, footprints, bloodstains, fingerprints, weapons, and other evidence. Evidence of crimes against persons and crimes against property is discussed in Chapter 6. Impression evidence is described in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 presents information on fingerprints and the fingerprint expert. Crime documentation procedures, such as photographing the scene, reporting, videography, and crime sketches, are provided in Chapter 9. The functions of the crime lab are described in Chapter 10. These include the use of the microscope, ballistics, wet chemistry, infrared, ultraviolet, DNA, composite drawings, polygraph, and print and trace experts. The elements of going to court are described in Chapter 11, including the subpoena, pretrial, testifying as a witness, use of notes, and testimony in other matters. Index