Crime Scene Operations (From Understanding Terrorism and Managing the Consequences, P 253-266, 2001, -- See NCJ-190969)

• NCJ Number: 190980
• Author(s): Neal J. Dolan; Paul M. Maniscalco
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Prentice Hall Publishing
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses the significance of physical evidence at a crime scene and the importance of maintaining site and evidence integrity.

Abstract

The significance of physical evidence at a crime scene cannot be overestimated. It is the only thing that will help prove who committed the crime. Proper training and technique are necessary to maintain the integrity and value of evidence. Emergency responders (medical services personnel and firefighters, for example) often carry out their duties in conflict with important crime scene procedures. Emergency responders should receive training to raise their awareness of the need to minimize damage to a crime scene and its contents. The chapter discusses what constitutes physical evidence; actions of first arriving units; evidence preservation by emergency responders; crime scene analysis; law enforcement responsibilities; processing crime scene physical evidence; and the chain of custody, which ensures continuous accountability, and includes everyone who had custody of the evidence after its acquisition by a law enforcement agency. Figures, table, notes