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DISTINCTION - BTEC Applied Science Unit 23 LA B: Investigating a Crime Scene.
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BTEC Applied Science Unit 23 learning aim B: B Investigate a simulated crime scene using forensic procedures.
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2020-22 Unit 23 LAB Investigating a Crime SceneSOME PICTURES WERE REMOVED DUE TO PRIVACY
This is a crime scene investigation report as a trainee Forensic Technician working for the
British Transport Police’s Scientific Support Unit. This report contains methods of evidence
collection, evaluation of those methods, etc looking at a simulated crime scene.
Before entering the crime scene and making a risk assessment, PEE was worn to protect the
officers as well as the evidence. Part of PPE includes face masks, goggles, latex gloves,
hazmat suit, plastic shoe covers and a hazmat suit. After that, we had to make a risk
assessment before entering the crime scene and its surroundings. This was done to make
sure that it was safe to proceed and enter the crime scene. During this time, we had to draw
sketches, make notes on the overview of the crime scene, take pictures of the crime scene
and figure out the best search pattern to follow to collect all the evidence.
Picture of the crime scene
Figure 01: Crime scene overview
Risk assessment of the crime scene to ensure health and safety needs are
met:
Figure 02: Risk assessment of the crime scene
The FAO was already on the site when we arrived; they conducted an initial assessment (to
ensure health and safety for themselves and the SOCO) of the situation and dealt with any
problems that arose. Any individuals already present at the location, including witnesses and
suspects, were arrested and detained for questioning.
This risk assessment helped me and the other trainees to stay safe at the simulated crime
scene and to be precautious towards certain risks. It also helped to make sure that it was safe
to proceed with the crime scene investigation. Some risks present at the scene were the dead
body, blood, broken glass and white powder. The blood and the dead body were biological
hazards that can affect the health of the personnel, this can be avoided by wearing PPE and
getting vaccinated to prevent getting diseases. The white powder is most likely to be drugs or
dangerous chemical substances, so PPE like face masks, goggles and gloves must be worn to
prevent direct contact as well as preventing inhalation of the powder. The blocken glass is a
hazard because it can cut the skin and cause infections as well as enter in the eyes and cause
eye injuries. This can be prevented by using tweezers, which minimises the risk of getting cuts
in the skin and wearing goggles to prevent the pieces of glass from entering the eyes.
Part B.D2
Crime scene documentation:
Crime scene notes:
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,2020-22 Unit 23 LAB Investigating a Crime Scene
Notes should be specific, detailed, accurate and legible and include the name and signature of
SOCOs name and signature (Annets et. al, 2016). It is important to take good police notes for two
reasons (says, 2015). For starters, it invariably enhances the credibility of the police officer
testifying (Blood Drop Evidence Is Missing, Simpson Lawyer Says, 2022). Second, it aids in the effective
administration of criminal justice by making factual proof easier to obtain (Blood Drop Evidence Is Missing,
Simpson Lawyer Says, 2022). Taking notes on these items is important in a case because it gives you a
record of what you find on the scene and enables you to develop a stronger case foundation
(www.cram.com, n.d.). The information that should be included are:
● The dates and times of the examination taking place, crime case number and police
reference (Annets et. al, 2016).
● Location/address and detailed description of the crime scene (Annets et. al, 2016).
● The location of the items of evidence found and their description, which includes the
evidence item and exhibit numbers.
● The time of discovery and sketch of evidence found (Annets et. al, 2016).
● The evidence collecting and packaging processes, including the evidence bag number
and time of collection, are described (Annets et. al, 2016).
● The information of the storage and transportation of the evidence (Annets et. al, 2016).
Figure 03: Crime scene overview notes
Sketches:
Draft sketches and measurements are prepared, as well as the placement of evidence. The
drawing should be labelled, with a key and a north line to indicate the direction. They are
important because they capture the general layout of the site as well as the relationships
between evidence and its surroundings (Newcastle.k12.ok.us., 2017). It can reveal the route taken by a
suspect or victim, as well as the distances travelled (Newcastle.k12.ok.us., 2017) and to interrogate
witnesses and suspects (Newcastle.k12.ok.us., 2017). The sketches show the original location of the
evidence at the crime scene.
Figure 04: Crime scene overview sketch
The sketch above contains the position of the numbered evidence, time of the sketch, the
name of the SOCO, date, page number so no pages get lost and the case number.
Part B.P3, B.P4
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, 2020-22 Unit 23 LAB Investigating a Crime Scene
Search pattern used and its justification and evaluation:
The grid search pattern was followed to assess the crime scene and to collect, sketch and
take notes of the evidence as well as the whole scene. The decision to follow this search
pattern was primarily made because of the distribution of the furniture around the simulated
crime scene, so as there were too many desks in rows, the grid pattern was the ideal search
pattern to follow. Following this search pattern was useful because it allowed us to assess the
crime scene and the evidence thoroughly and to collect all the evidence. To follow the grid
search pattern, we moved across the area where the original search was conducted (Annets et. al.,
2016). Then we shifted angles and covered the area in a grid pattern. A grid search is an
efficient method for searching a complex interior (the simulated crime scene) environment
(Annets et. al., 2016). This is because this type of search pattern covers nearly every area of the
crime scene (Annets et. al., 2016).
A wheel and spiral search pattern would not be good search patterns to follow in this case
because there were too many obstacles and personnel in the scene to carry out the task
correctly. Parallel search pattern is another search pattern that we could have followed to
assess the crime scene . This search pattern is also called the lane search pattern or as a strip
search (Annets et. al., 2016). To follow this pattern, one or more officers move in straight lines across
the crime scene, acquiring evidence as they go (Annets et. al., 2016). Officers go from one side of the
crime scene to the other and back again (Annets et. al., 2016). This method is best when examining a
large area outdoors, so it was not used in the simulated crime scene, but it could have helped
us to assess the crime scene in rows.
Figure 05: Search pattern used to assess the crime scene
Part B.P3, B.P4
Evidence labels:
The control and custody of the objects of evidence begins with the marking and labelling
(www.crime-scene-investigator.net, n.d.). It is important to label the evidence because it establishes proof
that the items of evidence collected at the crime scene are the same evidence presented in
court (www.crime-scene-investigator.net, n.d.). A police identification number, the date, time and a
description of the object should all be included on the labelling (Superior Bag, 2018). It should also
include information about the piece of evidence obtained, who obtained it, and any information
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