Outdoor
Scene Recovery
Introduction/General Instructions
Today's laboratory session will involve a simulated crime scene search. The class will work in three groups to organize the crime scene team and process an outdoor scene involving a surface-deposited body. Activities required include organizing team members and determining scene responsibilities, conducting a systematic search for the human remains and associated physical evidence, recovering relevant evidence and human remains, thoroughly documenting (through note-taking, photography, video taping, mapping) the investigation and process, and submitting a formal report that summarizes the crime scene processing and findings.
Objectives
- To conduct a formal crime scene search involving a surface deposited body
- To understand the various responsibilities and tasks undertaken during a crime scene search and work as a team to complete the investigation and processing
- To locate and recover all relevant evidence
- To thoroughly document all phases of the crime scene investigation (i.e., notes, visual documentation, maps, and a formal report)
- To gain experience summarizing the process of the crime scene investigation in a formal report (and explaining it in such a way that someone not present during the recovery will understand what how the scene was processed, the context of the scene, and what was collected)
Assignment
Following completion of the crime scene investigation, each investigative team will compile a report consisting of all the necessary and relevant documents and evidence. The report should begin with an introduction to the situation, what took place during the investigation, a list of the team members and responsibilities of each. Relevant documentation may include the photo and evidence logs, maps, original and typed notes, compact disk with digital photos, and chain of custody form. The final report and all supporting documentation are due Monday, September 22 (at the beginning of lab).
** Please submit the videotape and a 3.5 disc (or CD) with the photos you took during the investigation.
Scenario
At approximately 12 noon, Monday, September 15, the security office at
Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota was called by a hysterical resident
of the Midway neighborhood. The individual had been walking her dog
through the campus when the dog became agitated and pulled away from her. She
pursued her pet; the dog ran back to her and dropped an object at her feet. Upon
picking the item up, she discovered it to be a bone. She walked over
to where the dog had been and discovered scattered skeletal remains and
clothing. The individual immediately found a phone and called Hamline
security. Hamline Security notified the St. Paul Police Department
and the crime scene team was dispatched to investigate and process the scene. The
case number assigned is 2003-1092.
Protocol for locating, processing and recovery a surface-deposited body in an outdoor context:
SECURE THE SCENE. Chief Investigative Officer reviews the scene, determines best route of entrance and exit, arranges for securing the scene, and posts personnel to maintain security
INITIAL SCENE DOCUMENTATION. Take photographs and videotape environmental setting, landscape, surrounding landmarks, etc.; record in the photo log.
SCENE SEARCH/SEARCH LINE. Walk area in regular intervals in order to identify location and nature of evidence. Flag each piece of evidence encountered and assign a number to it. Evidence should be numbered sequentially in order of discovery. All flagged evidence should be entered into the evidence log and photographed. A surface survey of this nature assists in the determination of the size of the grid.
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION. Once all evidence has been flagged additional photographs should be taken, including overall scene from location of the body and close ups of each piece of evidence in situ (including human remains). All photographs should be recorded in the Photo Log and be taken with and without a scale.
DATUM. Determine datum and establish coordinates of permanent datum (0N, 0W).
GRID. Establish the grid over the area of the greatest concentration of human remains. Set corners first using triangulation technique (Algebra), mark 2 foot intervals along two of the parallel sides with flags, mark 2 foot intervals along the adjacent sides with flags. Define interior units with a meter stick or tape.
MAPPING. Map location of body, associated evidence; include information of physical environment. Map should be done in pencil and include the following information: a scale, a north arrow, date, case number, recorder, a legend, site location, county, state, evidence numbers and any additional comments.
EVIDENCE COLLECTION. Bag each piece of evidence (information on Bag: date, case number, general site location, county, state, evidence number, general description of item in bag, number of items in bag, recorder). The evidence bag should be sealed properly.
NOTES. During the entire scene investigation make notes on methods, activities, nature of evidence, nature of scene, general environment, weather, and body position. Be exhaustive—too much is better than too little. Write further notes following investigation if necessary and relevant. Never hurry through the investigation of a scene.