2020-22 Unit 23 LAA Gathering and preserving Forensic Evidence
Introduction/Context: In his report, I am going to talk about the process of gathering
and preserving forensic evidence and how a scene of crime is processed and the
importance of health and safety. The purpose of an investigation is to determine who are the
people involved (victim, perpetrator, witnesses, etc.), when and where did it happen and the
reason why the crime happened (Annets et. al., 2016).
Who:
Who is the person who has been hurt? The identity of the victim is required by investigators.
They might be alive and willing to testify, or they are dead, they could need to be recognised
(Annets et. al., 2016). Who is the one who is the perpetrator? (someone who commits a crime) The
gathering of forensic evidence is necessary in order to limit down the suspect list to a single
individual (Annets et. al., 2016). What witnesses are there? They add to the 'image' by providing
more information. They could have witnessed or overheard something related to the crime
(Annets et. al., 2016).
When:
To determine when the crime occurred, investigators must create a chronology of events
(Annets et. al., 2016). To assist 'paint a picture,' they need to start before the crime and look at
moves thereafter (Annets et. al., 2016). The investigators must acquire as much information as
possible to try to comprehend the events that occurred since they are constantly looking
back at the crime as an event that has already occurred (Annets et. al., 2016).
Where:
Investigators must first determine where the crime occurred (how did they enter, how did
they leave, where did they go, where did they leave from, etc.) (Annets et. al., 2016). Is it feasible
that the corpse was transported to the location where it was discovered if detectives are
investigating a murder? If this is the case, the murder may have occurred at a different crime
scene (Annets et. al., 2016). This might contain crucial forensic evidence (Annets et. al., 2016).
What:
Investigators must figure out why the crime was committed (if there was a motive) (Annets et. al.,
2016). They will gather information regarding the victim's and perpetrator's previous
relationships in order to better understand why the crime occurred (Annets et. al., 2016). They'll also
keep track of how things are done (the method of operation) (Annets et. al., 2016). It is a word used
by law enforcement to describe the specific way in which a crime is done, in order to link
together similar crimes and create a profile of the culprit (Annets et. al., 2016).
Part A.P1, A.P2
Health and safety measures and their importance in preserving the
integrity of evidence for forensic analysis:
It is critical to ensure the safety and well-being of all people who are present at the site
(FutureLearn, n.d.). Physical (e.g. sharps or dangerous people), biological (e.g. blood or other
bodily fluids), or chemical hazards might all be present (e.g. found in a clandestine drug
laboratory or the chemicals used at the scene) (FutureLearn, n.d.). There will be a walk-through
once all of these procedures have been evaluated in order to identify areas of interest and
build the forensic approach (FutureLearn, n.d.). The forensic strategy will include the following: the
systematic search strategy to be used (spiral, grid, strip/line, or quadrant/zone), evidence
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recovery methods and order, identification of the experts needed to attend the scene, such
as a Blood Pattern Analyst, and determining what tools are required (lighting, packaging etc)
(FutureLearn, n.d.). The evidence must next be properly collected and packed (FutureLearn, n.d.). After
that, it will be delivered either for storage or for examination to a scientific laboratory
(FutureLearn, n.d.). It's critical to keep the chain of custody intact during this procedure (FutureLearn,
n.d.). Health and safety is very important when it comes to preserving integrity of the
evidence. This is because good measures can prevent contamination and
cross-contamination of evidence, prevent the officials from getting injured, bacteria coming
out of the mouth and contaminate the evidence, hair falling in the crime scene, and also
prevents fingerprints being left on the evidence.
Part A.D1
The table below shows some crimes and their main risks, hazards and control measures:
Crime scene Risks and Hazards Control measures
Murder - Sharp weapons Wear PPE, vaccinations, disinfection, careful
- Infection from infectious handling, appropriate waste disposal.
materials
Burglary Broken glass, trip hazards, Wear PPE, police checking the scene, appropriate
suspects being present waste disposal, and heavy furniture lifted carefully.
Arson - You can get burned Wear a face mask, keep entry points to buildings
- The smoke can affect you secure, including sheds or garages, perimeter walls,
- Building damage fencing and gates.
- Electrical hazards - All electricity switched off at mains.
- Toxic chemicals - Engineer to do a structural check, careful handling.
Table 01 - Crime scenes and their risks, hazards and control measures.
There are also ways in which toxins could enter the body at a crime scene:
Method of entry into the body Nature of hazard Action to reduce the risk
airborne e.g. dusts, smoke, Use equipment such as safety
Inhalation vapours, gases glasses, gloves and other protective
clothing
wash hands before eating or
contaminants that make
Skin absorption smoking. Do not bring food into
contact with the skin
unsuitable areas.
Exercise caution when handling.
contaminants that are able Wear gloves at all times. Dispose
Ingestion
to enter the mouth of sharp objects in special
containers.
contaminants such as sharp
Ventilation and/or respiratory
Injection objects that can puncture
protection masks.
the skin
Table - 02: Ways in which toxins could enter the body.
Many hazards exist at crime scenes, many of which have the ability to harm or damage
those who are processing the scene (Annets et. al., 2016). Work at a crime scene is governed by a
variety of laws designed to safeguard both the employee and any other people who may be
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there (Annets et. al., 2016). To keep everyone safe and healthy, SOOC/CSIs and the employers
must adhere to specific guidelines (Annets et. al., 2016). These are some of the requirements:
Government Description of the legislations
legislations need to
be followed
Health and Safety Act The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 is the major piece of law in the
(HASAWA) 1974 United Kingdom that regulates occupational health and safety (Health and Safety Executive,
2019). The majority of the law relating to occupational health and safety is covered
under this act. It outlines what the employer must do to ensure that high
standards of health and safety are maintained at work and that anybody who is at
danger from working activities, including the general public, is protected.
Management of Employers are required by law to conduct workplace risk assessments, make
Health and Safety at plans to execute essential safeguards, hire competent individuals, and provide
Work Regulations adequate information and training (Health and Safety Executive, n.d.). This law strives to
1999 detect health and safety issues as well as fire hazards, and it must be revised as
needed (Annets et. al., 2016).
Control of COSHH is a legislation that compels companies to safeguard employees who are
Substances exposed to hazardous chemicals at work (Annets et. al., 2016). It covers risk
Hazardous to Health assessment, exposure control, incident planning, staff training, and health
(COSHH) surveillance as well as other approaches for reducing occupational sickness
Regulations 2002 (Annets et. al., 2016).
Table 03 - Legislations to follow in a crime investigation
Part A.D1
The roles of crime scene and authorised personnel who attend crime
scenes:
Structure of a Scientific Support Unit:
The CSI/SOCO, Crime scene ordinators, crime scene managers, and forensic experts make
up the Scientific Support Units (SSU) structure, which varies by regional police. Below are
more details about the roles of the authorised personnel:
Scene of crime officers (SOCOs) and Crime scene investigators (CSIs):
Some police departments refer to Scene Of Crime Officers as Crime Scene Investigators
(CSI) (Annets et. al., 2016). They are in charge of preserving and processing a crime scene (Annets et.
al., 2016). They must adhere to the law to guarantee that any relevant forensic evidence is
genuine and can be presented in court in a trustworthy manner (Annets et. al., 2016). They must
identify, document, gather, package, label, and securely transport evidence in a safe and
accurate manner, maintaining evidence continuity (complete documentation that accounts
for the progress of an item of evidence throughout the entire investigation from crime scene
to court) (Annets et. al., 2016). Examples of when they are needed include responding to a range of
crime and other event sites, preserve and secure crime scenes, photograph and videotape
scenes, collect fingerprints and trace evidence, and locate, document, and retrieve evidence
such as DNA samples, etc (nationalcareers.service.gov.uk, n.d.). To avoid contamination, they must wear
full personal protective equipment (PPE). This must be worn prior to entering the crime
scene. SOCO/CSIs use disposable protective clothes and equipment that decreases the
danger of injury and protects them from harm at the crime scene (Annets et. al., 2016).
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