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THE BASICS OF CSI

To understand what happensat a typical crime scene

investigation, its important to

understand a few basic

elements:

The Purpose of CSI

Determine if a crime has

occurred ID the victim(s)

ID the suspect(s)

Collect evidence related to

the crime

Re-enact the events of the

crime Link suspect, victim & crime

scene

The Basic CSI Tasks

Protecting & searching the

scene

Evaluating the scene &

evidence

Documenting the scene &

evidence

Preserving & collecting

evidence

CSI

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Protecting & searching the scene, documenting

& scene and evidence, and preserving &

collecting the evidence are all considered the

mechanical aspects of CSI.

Evaluating the scene & evidence is considered

the thinking aspect of CSI.Ideally, a crime scene investigator should be

thinking (evaluating) at all times while

conducting the mechanical aspects of CSI; but it

is all too easy for a crime scene investigator to

fall into the trap of working mechanically

especially at a large/complex crime scene

containing dozens or even hundreds of

evidence items.

The Basic Premise of CSI

It is impossible for suspect, victim and crime

scene to come together usually in a violent

manner without the transfer of physical

(trace) evidence.

It is this premise that ensures investigators that

a careful investigation of a crime scene is worth

the effort. The evidence will be there; it just hasto be found and carefully/properly preserved

and collected.

The Inherent Problem of CSI

Every investigator (or EMT, reporter, neighbor,

etc.) who enters the scene has the potential to

damage evidence and leave or pick up trace

evidence.In effect, a CSI cannot expect to enter a crime

scene without adding to or subtracting from the

available evidence. The trick is to be thoughtful,

careful and persistent.

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HOW TO DETECT A POLICE

INVESTIGATOR FROM A CRIME

SCENE INVESTIGATOR

The Crime Scene Investigator is typically

(and there's a lot of variation here

among federal, state and local

jurisdictions) an unarmed, non-sworn

(not authorized to enforce laws or arrest

suspects) and non-scientific-degreed

technician whose primary job is to:

respond to routine crime scenes

collect

basic information from the first

responding officer at the sceneset a scene perimeter

take a set of "over-all" photos from

outside the scene perimeter looking in

make a quick search for potentially

perishable evidence

take a set of "over-all" photos inside the

scene perimeter

make a careful and methodical search

for items of physical evidence

properly document, preserve and collect

those items of evidence

INSTRUCTORS MASTERCADET HANDOUT

STORY PROMPT

Genius Notes

JOT DOWN NOTE FOR INCLUDING YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE OR

EXPERIENCE

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make a scene sketch that includes the location of all evidence items

package and tag the evidence items

transport and transfer custody of the evidence to the crime lab

The Detective

is typically an experienced, armed and sworn law enforcement officer whose

primary job is to interrogate witnesses and suspects, and utilize information

and physical evidence found at the scene (and, ultimately, analytical reports

regarding that evidence) to locate, arrest and assist the prosecutor in bringing

the alleged perpetrator before the courts.