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Crime Scene Investigation

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Reconstructing The rime

Scene

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Physical Reconstruction

Mental Reconstruction

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Specific Incident Reconstruction (TrafficAccident, Homicide, Bombing, etc.).Specific Event Reconstruction (Sequence,

Direction, Condition, Relation, Identity).Specific Physical Evidence Reconstruction(Firearms, Blood, Glass etc.).

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Blood and Blood Stain Pattern Analysis Identity of victim/offender.Position and location of the victimPosition and location of the offender.

Movement by the victim/offender in the scene.May identify the location of the scene (if the victimis removed and left elsewhere).May indicate a staged or secondary scene.Minimum number of blows struckType of weapon used.

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Documents Reassemble torn/shredded papers.

Recovery of obliterated writing.

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Functional EvidenceDoes the weapon or vehicle functionproperly?

Semi-automatic with slide locked back mayindicate last round was fired.TV or coffee pot on at scene.

Do door/window locks properly secure?

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Glass Direction of break (from which side of theglass).

Sequence of shots (it should be noted thatcurrent research indicates that sequencing ofshots through laminated automotive glass isnot reliable).

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Impression Evidence (Fingerprints, shoe prints, tire

tracks).Identity of victim/offenderPlace victim/offender at the scene and at specificsites in the scene.

Fingerprints may indicate where the offender/victimwas in the scene or how an object was held.Shoe prints may show location in and movementthrough the scene.

Tire tracks may show vehicle position and direction oftravel and may indicate the type of vehicle driven.

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Ligature Type of ligature used (if missing).Use of same/similar ligature can be used to

link serial cases.Type of ligature used may indicate offender'soccupation or interests (i.e. rope tied withknots commonly used by dock workers orclimbers).

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Pathology Manner of death (Homicide, Suicide, Natural,Accidental).Time of death (approximate).Cause of death/weapon used.

Time before incapacitation from wounds(approximate).Whether injuries were sustained pre- or post-mortem.Identity and/or age of victim.

Was victim sexually assaulted, and in what manner.Possibility that the wound(s) could have been self-inflicted.

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Physical Match (Reassembly of brokenobjects).

Bombs.Vehicle lamps, mirrors and windows.Aircraft which have crashed and/orexploded.

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Relational/Positional Evidence Blood drops on the threshold of a doorindicates that the door was open when theblood was shed.Location of other objects and their conditionmay also indicate a variety of thingsdepending on the specifics of the crime.

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Trace Evidence Trajectory of projectiles based on retention ofmaterial through which they have passed.Place offender/victim at the scene, and at

specific sites in the scene.Describe the environment of an unknown crimescene.May indicate offender occupation.Vehicle positions, speeds, sequence of accidentevents.

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Steps in Reconstruction 1. Recognition of evidence.2. Documentation of evidence.3. Collection of evidence.4. Evaluation of evidence.5. Hypothesis.

6. Testing.7. Reconstruction.

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EXAMPLE

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EXAMPLE

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THANK YOU.