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WHO?
WHAT?
WHERE?
WHEN?

How do you define a crime scene?
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Any place were evidence can be collected that will help explain the events associated with the crime.

What are the primary and secondary scenes?
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Primary: where crime was actually committed
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Ex. A woman is abducted from the parking lot of a bank and MURDERED IN THE
BACK OF A White VAN
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Secondary: any place associated with the crime where evidence can be collected
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Ex. The field where the body is dumped.

How many scenes can one crime have?

How big and small can a scene be?
From the size of a computer chip or cell phone to the size of a corn field or miles of the ocean

It depends on who you ask. It could be the
1 st EMT to the scene or the detective first at the scene or the one with the highest rank .

3.
4.
1.
2.
5.
What are the 5-7 top priorities of the first responders?
Get medical assistance… SAVE LIVES
Secure the scene and get back up
Identify and Isolate witnesses
Preserve evidence
Photograph scene, sketch scene document the scene using all senses

What should be done to secure the scene?
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Establish a single access path with LOG
Establish a command post
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Man both with officers
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Have officers encircle the scene with barrier tape and uniformed officers
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Keep the press out

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Zone or Sector Search
Method
Area to be searched is divided into zones or sectors.
Each person is assigned a sector to do a thorough search. The sectors can then be searched by another if necessary

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Grid search patterns are especially effective when searching large areas, such as a field or other open land areas. Each grid block is assigned a number or letter.
Detectives use those identifiers as reference points when testifying in court. Example: “I located the murder weapon in block number 4. I also discovered spent bullet casings in block number 3.”

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Usually used for covering large or open areas.
Personnel will line up shoulder to shoulder; usually an arm’s distant away from each other and move slowly along examining parallel strips of terrain.
When a suspected piece of evidence is located they will call the Team Leader before taking any action. Personnel should try to maintain the straight line and move forward together to avoid missing areas.

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Typically used for outdoor scenes. This search pattern is usually conducted by a single searcher who walks in a slightly decreasing, lessthan-concentric circle from the outermost boundary towards the center.
The process should not be reversed.
Can be used for underwater searches.