Forensic Evidence Field Guide

A Collection of Best Practices

Peter Pfefferli

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN:
  9780124201989
• eBook ISBN:
  9780127999258
• Topic: Law
• Subtopic: Forensic Science
• Index: Law

Forensic Evidence Field Guide: A Collection of Best Practices highlights the essentials needed to collect evidence at a crime scene. The unique spiral bound design is perfect for use in the day-to-day tasks involved in collecting evidence in the field. The book covers a wide range of evidence collection and management, including characteristics of different types of crime scenes (arson, burglary, homicide, hit-and-run, forensic IT, sexual assault), how to recover the relevant evidence at the scene, and best practices for the search, gathering, and storing of evidence. It examines in detail the properties of biological/DNA evidence, bullet casings and gunshot residue, explosive and fire debris, fibers and hair, fingerprint, footprint, and tire impression evidence, and much more. This guide is a vital companion for forensic science technicians, crime scene investigators, evidence response teams, and police officers. - Unique Pocket Guide design for field work - Best practice for first evidence responders - Highlights the essentials needed to collect evidence at a crime scene - Focus on evidence handling from documentation to packaging

PART I

Scenes of Evidence

Outline

1. Break and Entry: Volume Crime Evidence

2. Explosion and Arson: Safety Risk Evidence

3. Fraud and Forgery: Document Evidence

4. Hit and Run: Automobile Accident Evidence

5. Homicide and Rape: Violent Crime Evidence

6. Multimedia and Electronic: Digital Evidence

7. Narcotics and Drugs: Controlled Substance Evidence

1

Break and Entry

Volume Crime Evidence

Abstract

Evidence impact, evidence situation, protection and preservation, time factors, documentation, packaging, Do’s and Don’ts, necessary tools.

Keywords

Burglary; Car theft; Crime scene; Evidence; Indoors; Locks & keys; Outdoors

Evidence impact

Burglaries are the most frequent volume crimes. Depending on how (modus operandi) and where (indoor, outdoor, car), evidence found at scenes of volume crimes helps for:

• Identification of offender

• Examination/identification of tools

• Recovery of stolen goods

• Reconstruction

• Forensic intelligence (serial offender)

The term volume crime does not tell anything about expectable and exploitable evidence. Forensic intelligence in volume crimes might link with more serious crimes.

Look for

General evidence situation

• Forced entry and exit

• Damaged zones

• Stolen goods

• Used facilities (toilet, sink, light, notepad, fridge, etc.)

• Left-behind objects (burglary tools, gloves, litter)

• Manipulated locks and alarm/surveillance devices (CCTV)

Evidence outdoors

• Footwear prints on entryway, garden path, doorsill, windowsill, backyard, parking area

• Toolmarks and trace evidence (fibers, glass, paint, soil) on forced-open items (door, window, safe, etc.)

• Left-behind break-and-entry tools/materials (blowtorch, crowbar, screwdriver, pliers, wrench, lockpick, glass cutter, stones, tapes, putty, etc.)

• Contact evidence (DNA, fingerprints) on doors, windows, shutters, locks, handles, knobs, tools, broken glass

• Biological stains: blood, sweat

• Alarm/surveillance devices (CCTV): manipulation, records

Evidence indoors

• Footwear prints on floor (visible, latent)

• Toolmarks and trace evidence (fibers, ...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Preface
• How to Use the Field Guide
• 27. Best Evidence Management Commandments
• PART I. Scenes of Evidence
• PART II. Seizure of Evidence
• PART III. Types of Evidence
• References
• Index