NCJ Number
60870
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 27 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 38-40,42-46,48
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A POLICE DETECTIVE DESCRIBES INITIAL ACTIONS THAT RESPONDING POLICE AND INVESTIGATORS CONFRONTED WITH A HOMICIDE CRIME SCENE SHOULD TAKE IN THIS OPERATIONAL GUIDE, PART 1.
Abstract
PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED BY THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE FIRST OFFICER (USUALLY THE UNIFORM PATROL OFFICER) ARRIVING AT A CRIME SCENE ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) DETERMINE THE ENTIRE AREA OF THE CRIME SCENE, INCLUDING THE PATHS OF ENTRY AND EXIT; (2) ISOLATE THE AREA AND SEEK ASSISTANCE IF NECESSARY; (3) REFRAIN FROM ENTERING THE SCENE AND DISTURBING ANY ITEMS FOUND THERE; (4) EXCLUDE ALL UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS FROM ENTERING THE CRIME SCENE; AND (5) MAINTAIN A CHRONOLOGICAL LOG CONTAINING THE NAME, SHIELD NUMBER, COMMAND, TITLE, ETC., OF EACH PERSON ENTERING THE CRIME SCENE. ONCE THE HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION HAS BEGUN, THE DETECTIVE SHOULD REMEMBER TO RECORD EVEN THE MOST BASIC DETAILS, TO MAINTAIN A SENSE OF DETACHMENT FROM THE CONFUSION THAT OFTEN PERMEATES A CRIME SCENE, AND TO COORDINATE EFFECTIVELY THE VARIED UNITS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE INQUIRY (I.E., THE MEDICAL EXAMINER, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, OTHER HOMICIDE INVESTIGATORS, AND THE FORENSIC TECHNICIAN). THE HOMICIDE DETECTIVE MAY ALSO FIND IT HELPFUL TO INTERVIEW THE FIRST OFFICER ON THE SCENE TO ACQUIRE AN UP-TO-DATE APPRAISAL OF THE CRIME SCENE AS WELL AS ACTIVITIES TRANSPIRING SINCE THE DISCOVERY OF THE BODY. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE HOMICIDE CRIME SCENE, OFFICERS SHOULD PHOTOGRAPH THE AREA AS A RECORD TO SHOW IN COURT. ALTHOUGH ONLY PHOTOGRAPHS THAT ARE REQUIRED IN HOMICIDE INVESTIGATIONS ARE IDENTIFIED IN THIS ARTICLE, THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF SHOTS THAT CAN BE TAKEN. IDENTITY OF THE VICTIM IS A CRITICAL INVESTIGATIVE TOOL BECAUSE IT PROVIDES A STARTING POINT FOR INVESTIGATIVE INQUIRY REVEALING NAMES OF FRIENDS, FAMILY, BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, ETC.) IT ALSO MAY POINT TO CRIMINAL CONNECTIONS. CANVASSING THE AREA SURROUNDING A CRIME SCENE AND THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH (A LINE DRAWING INDICATING THE BODY'S POSITION IN REFERENCE TO OBJECTS IN THE SCENE) ARE ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS TO PERFORM. PHOTOGRAPHS OF HOMICIDE CRIME SCENES AND FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (WJR)