Crime Scene Processing and Investigation Workbook, Second Edition

Christine R. Ramirez, Casie L. Parish-Fisher

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781138491380
• eBook ISBN: 9781351032766
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Forensic Science

Crime Scene Processing and Investigation Workbook, Second Edition is the only workbook which directly supports and cross-references methodology and terminology presented in Ross Gardner and Donna Krouskup's perennial best-seller Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigations, Third Edition. The workbook serves as supporting material offering hands-on activities to supplement theories and methodologies within the text as well as updated activities to support the new material presented in the Third Edition.

As the number of forensic academic programs within the United States continue to grow—and the textbook continues to be a go-to standard in the field—the workbook remains an invaluable reference for academics, forensic training providers, and law enforcement training programs. The detailed Instructor's Manual (IM) lends itself not only to experts who have utilized these procedures before but also to the novice and student who may be introduced to these topics in a classroom setting for the first time. The workbook conducts over 30 activities with detailed instructions, concept overviews, and reflective post-lab questions. Crime Scene Processing and Investigation Workbook, Second Edition, continues to stand as the best workbook on the market, addressing foundational principles in a hands-on manner while directly correlating to the concepts addressed in the Gardner and Krouskup textbook.

Chapter 1

Introduction

Key Terms

• Crime prevention
• Crime repression
• CSI effect
• Evidence
• Testimonial evidence
• Physical evidence
• Predictable effects
• Unpredictable effects
• Transitory effects
• Relational details
• Functional details

Learning Outcomes

1. 1. Discuss what is meant by the “interpretive value of evidence.”
2. 2. Understand the CSI effect and its effects on society.
3. 3. Describe physical and testimonial evidence.
4. 4. Explain methodology as it relates to crime scene examination, and describe the five components of a good processing methodology.
5. 5. List and describe the three crime scene integrity issues.

1.1 Evaluating the Interpretive Value of Evidence

Objective

• Review crime scene material and identify key evidence. Once identified, evaluate the evidence and surrounding clues by using the five contexts of evidence described in the Concept Overview.

Concept Overview

The value of evidence is more than its presence at a crime scene. The context in which an item is found is sometimes more valuable than the item itself. The responsibility falls on the first responding officers and crime scene personnel to be studious of the crime scene and observe conditions that may be invaluable to solving a case.

When considering the context of evidence, Rynearson and Chisum offered that such context might manifest itself in a number of ways. They classified these manifestations as:

• • Predictable effects—Regular changes one would expect to see at the scene or in evidence.
• Example: Insect activity at a homicide scene.
• • Unpredictable effects—Unexpected changes one would not expect to see at a crime scene. This is especially disastrous to an investigation, as it could lead to a misinterpretation of the scene.
• Example: The altering of the crime scene by crime scene personnel.
• • Transitory effects—Fleeting changes within a crime scene.
• Example: The smoke from a burning cigarette.
• • Relational details—Details that help to establish a relationship among items at the scene and rely on the ability of personnel to properly place items within a crime scene.
• Example: Recognition of a void pattern on a wall with blood spatter.
• • Functional details—The operating condition of items found at the scene.
• Example: A nonfunctional wristwatch found on a victim.

Materials

• Writing utensil

Procedure

1. 1. Evaluate scene photographs.
2. 2. Complete the Evaluation Worksheet.
3. 3. Complete the Post Lab Questions.

Evaluation Worksheet

Photograph: _____________________________________

Item	Context	Justification

Photograph: ________________________________

Item	Context	Justification

Photograph: ________________________________

Item	Context	Justification

Photograph: ________________________________

Item	Context	Justification

Post Lab Questions

1. 1. Why is it important to observe the context of evidence at a scene?
2. 2. Give two examples of transitory effects.
3. 3. Is testimonial evidence more valuable than physical evidence? Explain.
4. 4. In evaluating the photographs, what was the most difficult part?
5. 5. Review the following list of items and notate the context of evidence. Be sure to justify your answer. (Make no assumptions as to the time or type of crime.)
6. (More than one context could apply; if so, explain your answer.)
7. a. Livor mortis in a body
8. b. A home security alarm that is not activated, but the door is open
9. c. A handgun under the victi...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-Title
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• About the Authors
• Chapter 1 Introduction
• Chapter 2 The Nature of Physical Evidence
• Chapter 3 Actions of the Initial Responding Officer
• Chapter 4 Processing Methodology
• Chapter 5 Assessing the Scene
• Chapter 6 Crime Scene Photography
• Chapter 7 Crime Scene Sketching and Mapping
• Chapter 8 Narrative Descriptions
• Chapter 9 Light Technology in Crime Scene Processing
• Chapter 10 Basic Skills for Scene Processing
• Chapter 11 Basic Skills for Scene Processing
• Chapter 12 Shooting Scenes
• Chapter 13 Applying Bloodstain Pattern Analysis at the Crime Scene
• Chapter 14 Special Scene Considerations
• Chapter 15 The Body as a Crime Scene
• Chapter 16 The Role of Crime Scene Analysis and Reconstruction
• Index