SITUATIONSITUATIONScene is securePreliminary photography

completeRough sketch madeSearch method decided Assignments madeSearch ready to begin

CRIME SCENE SEARCHCRIME SCENE SEARCHAfter scene has been secured and recorded

THE SEARCHTHE SEARCHTo obtain physical evidenceNot confined to area of crime

itself◦May include approach and line of

flightDefinite plans must be madeMust know what to look for and

where

THE SEARCHTHE SEARCHPhysical evidence may

◦Determine facts of crime◦Identify the criminal◦Aid in the arrest and conviction of

the criminal

THE SEARCHTHE SEARCHMust be undertaken with

determination and alertnessNo room for defeatist attitudeNo room for light-hearted

attitudeMay be unpleasantInsignificant items may prove

very important

CRIME SCENE SEARCHCRIME SCENE SEARCHMust be thorough and systematicHow to search depends on

several factors (locale, size, actions of persons)

One person should be in controlWhat to search for determined by

crimeAs general rule fragile items first

SEARCHSEARCHSystematic search of scene

conductedType of search pattern may

depend on sceneBe careful not to destroy

evidence while searching (walking about)

Night time searches problem (put off till day if possible)

searchsearchTypes of searches

◦Spiral◦Strip◦Grid◦Zone

Be organized – Search everything

THE SEARCHTHE SEARCHSearch method must support

what the search is intended to accomplish: A comprehensive accumulation within a reasonable period of time of all available physical evidence

Should economize on movement and avoid unnecessary disturbance

GENERAL METHODSGENERAL METHODSEvidence that is being

significantly deteriorated by time or elements has first priority

Major items are collected in order that is most logical

When deceased individual process area between entry and body

General MethodsGeneral MethodsAfter processing obvious search

for trace material before dustingAfter trace removed process for

latentsElimination prints and evidence

standards are collected last

OUTDOOR SCENESOUTDOOR SCENESNature of site will influence types

of materials collectedFingerprints less frequentRecording more difficuld due to

fewer reference pointsConsider route to be taken to

focal point

OUTDOOR SCENESOUTDOOR SCENESAlmost all evidence on ground

(easy to overlook or step onApproach from route least likely

to have been used by suspect◦Examine vegetation for damage

Area under body should be given attention

OUTDOOR SCENESOUTDOOR SCENESCareful search for tire or foot

impressionsSoil samples collected from area

of impressionsBroken limbs or twigs should be

examined carefully (trace)Is blood or semen suspected to

be mixed with soil

VEHICLE SEARCHESVEHICLE SEARCHESCarefully plannedNature of case will dictate detailsHit-and-run cases outside and

undercarriage examined carefullyHomicide and other all areas of

vehicle should be considered

VEHICLE SEARCHESVEHICLE SEARCHESExterior searched firstLook for broken or damaged

areasCloth impressionsTrace (hair, fiber, fabric) clinging

to carLast on outside fingerprint

VEHICLE SEARCHVEHICLE SEARCHInterior of vehicle

◦Generally divided into five major areas Rt front, Lt front, rt back, lt back, back

deck)

◦May divide floor from seat from instrument

◦Vacuum floor areas first◦Seats swept next◦Fingerprint interior next

VEHICLE SEARCHVEHICLE SEARCHInterior

◦Search for hidden items inside vehicle Drugs, weapons, loot

◦Trunk searched same way as interior (swept, fingerprints, hidden items)

◦Under hood (usually not productive) Could have concealed tools, weapons, or

drugs)

SEARCH OF VICTIMSEARCH OF VICTIMUsually very limitedMay be only observation of dressIf injured collection may be at

hospitalIf deceased collection at medical

examiners office

EQUIPMENT NEEDEDEQUIPMENT NEEDEDFlashlightContainersWaterproof pensMetal ScribeRazor BladesGloves Tweezers

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONSLEGAL CONSIDERATIONSFourth Amendment

◦The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizure, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or thing to be seized

LEGALLEGALWarrantless Search

◦Emergency Circumstances◦Need to prevent immediate loss or

destruction of evidence◦Incident to a lawful arrest◦Consent search

LEGALLEGAL

Supreme court addressed issue of warrantless searches at crime scene

1978Two cases

◦Mincey v. Arizona Homicide

◦Michigan v. Tyler Arson

Mincy v. ArizonaMincy v. ArizonaFour day search at homicide

sceneUndercover police officer killed

after forcing entry into house to buy drugs

Police raided and spent four days searching (bullets, drugs, paraphernalia)

Mincy v. ArizonaMincy v. ArizonaMincy convictedAppealed – evidence gathered

without warrant or consentCourt unanimously upheld

Mincy’s position

Mincy v. ArizonaMincy v. ArizonaPolice may make warrantless entry to

homicide scene to see if other victims or suspect still on premises

No exigent circumstancesNo indication evidence would be lost

or destroyed

Mincy v. ArizonaMincy v. ArizonaPolice had a guard at apartmentWarrant could have been easily and

conveniently obtainedSeriousness of the offence does not

create exigent circumstances

Michigan v. TylerMichigan v. TylerBusiness destroyed by fireFire extinguished in early

morningSmoke, steam and darkness

prevented examination of sceneBuilding left unattended until

8:00 am

Michigan v. TylerMichigan v. TylerOfficials returned at 8:00 am and

searched and removed evidence Returned 4, 7, and 25 days later,

searched and removed evidenceEach search without warrant or

consent

Michigan v. TylerMichigan v. TylerTyler convicted of arsonCourt reversed convictionInitial search proper but

additional entries inadmissible

LEGALLEGALMessage of Supreme Court

◦When time and circumstances permit - obtain a search warrant.

EVIDENCE DEPOSITORIESEVIDENCE DEPOSITORIESPHYSICALLY SECURECAPACITY LARGE ENOUGHSHELVES TO ALLOW FOR

SEPARATION