Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement

• NCJ Number: 178280
• Date Published: January 2000
• Length: 58 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Corporate Author: Technical Working Group on Crime Scene Investigation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/NCJRS; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Series: NIJ Research Report
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Policy/Procedure Handbook/Manual
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Updated 2013 version of this report is available at NCJ number 243598

Annotation

This is a guide to recommended practices for crime scene investigation.

Abstract

The guide is presented in five major sections, with sub-sections as noted: (1) Arriving at the Scene: Initial Response/Prioritization of Efforts (receipt of information, safety procedures, emergency care, secure and control persons at the scene, boundaries, turn over control of the scene and brief investigator/s in charge, document actions and observations); (2) Preliminary Documentation and Evaluation of the Scene (scene assessment, "walk-through" and initial documentation); (3) Processing the Scene (team composition, contamination control, documentation and prioritize, collect, preserve, inventory, package, transport, and submit evidence); (4) Completing and Recording the Crime Scene Investigation (establish debriefing team, perform final survey, document the scene); and (5) Crime Scene Equipment (initial responding officer/s, investigator/evidence technician, evidence collection kits). Appendixes