Crime Scene Investigation 2007 A WebQuest on Crime Scene Investigations

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1 Crime Scene Investigation 2007 A WebQuest on Crime Scene Investigations Introduction The Task The Process Conclusion Introduction A homicide was committed at 6100 Francis Lewis Boulevard. You and your team have been assigned to solve this crime. Use all the knowledge, principles, and techniques that you have learned this semester in Forensic-Criminology class. Books and websites are available for your use. Books will be located in the library. Remember you are a team comprised of criminalists, forensic scientists, criminal investigators, and prosecutors. Task Your task is to reconstruct the crime, collect, process and analyze evidence and interview/interrogate witnesses and suspects. You must document every step of your investigation and present your findings to a jury. Process You will be working together as a group exploring web sites that your teacher has selected. Each member of the group has been assigned a role. Can you solve this crime? Step 1 - Background Information Reconstruction Scenario 2007 Present time: 2:00 pm Date: January 3, 2007 Location: West bottom of St. Francis Prep Victim: Terrence Terry Orr m/w/14 Case#: 1011/ 107pct

2 Statement of L.T. Quick, the first Police Officer on the scene: We were dispatched by 'central', stemming from a 911 caller, to west bottom of St. Francis Prep High School, 6100 Francis Lewis Blvd., Fresh Meadows, NY. No signs of forced entry were seen. The victim was found on the staircase leading to a storage room on the basement level of the school. The storage facility has not been used by the maintenance department for well over a year, however; it is used to store the ice hockey team s equipment on the day of their practices. The door was slightly ajar which may have gone unnoticed throughout the school day. Upon entry, it was apparent that the victim was 'DOA'. The crime scene was immediately secured and I placed yellow crime scene tape around the immediate crime scene, however; I did not search for evidence. I did get a look at the video camera which shows the victim impatiently waiting by the glass doors and then disappearing from the camera s view. Suddenly, a person with long dark hair appears from the storage door area and then the camera malfunctioned leaving nothing visible beyond that point. You 'guys' were notified and the crime scene is now all yours. Good luck. Statement of Ineda Coffin, Queens County Medical Examiner: I was notified, responded, and conducted an examination of the deceased at 1:15 PM. I have determined the following: Upon arrival, I found the deceased lying face up in front of the storage area door with blunt force trauma to the head caused by a long hard slender object which apparently caused his death. There are signs of rigor mortis present in the jaw, however; it is not present in the arms or lower extremities. The body temperature has been measured at 91.1 degrees. Visible lividity is present on the front of the victim. After the examination, the body was left at the crime scene as initially found. Pre-autopsy classification: Homicide. Statement of person reporting the crime, Mr. Jardines: I was returning to class from the faculty lunch room around 1:00 PM when I decided to take a short cut through the parking lot. Upon entering the building through the west bottom glass doors, I saw the storage room door ajar and saw the victim lying on the top stair landing. I immediately called 911.

3 Use the Forensic Criminology Hotlist to access internet links to relevant forensic criminology websites and articles. See your role for specific links to your role requirements. Forensic Criminology Hotlist Step 2 - Roles These roles were chosen because they each define the most important elements of crime scene investigation Each of you has been assigned a particular role with links and instructions below. Here are the assigned roles. Please see your specific instructions and questions below. Group Roles 1. Lead Investigator 2. Photographer 3. Sketch Person 4. Evidence Collector 5. Latent Print Examiner 6. Forensic Scientist 7. Document Examiner 8. Interviewer/Interrogator 9. Property Person 1. Lead Investigator: Crime Scene Sign in Sheet Ret.Lt.Vernon Geberth, NYCPD Homicide Inv Warrant Investigative Report Form Wound Chart 1. Lead Investigator Assume the overall responsibility for the effectiveness of the work, gives directions, and delegates assignments. They are ultimately responsible for the following: a. Assessing the crime scene (walk thru) *do not touch.

4 b. Note Taking (written documentation of the crime scene for the purpose of establishing an initial theory, delegating tasks, and constructing a final written report or reconstruction). c. Securing the crime scene. Determining the extent of the crime scene, using yellow tape to surround and protect, and logging any and all who enter the crime scene using the Crime Scene Sign In form. d. Preparing Documents. Formulating the argument to secure and prepare a request for a search warrant. This document will be given to a judge for approval. e. Collating information from examiners and providing further leads for the Interviewer/Interrogator. You may assist the I/I in their investigation. f. Putting together in chronological order the reports prepared by the various team members for the final report. 2. Photographer: Photographic Log/ ID Tags 2. Photographer Takes the necessary photos of the crime scene as well as of each individual item of evidence as it is discovered. Photographing is done first before any other task is started, except for the initial walk thru. No one should be present in the shots and the aim of the pictures is with reconstruction in mind. They are ultimately responsible for: a. The line of approach to and from the scene. b. Significant adjacent areas, such as the yard of the location in which the crime (homicide) occurred. c. Close-up photographs of the entrance and exit to the location used by the suspect or those most likely to have been used if these are not obvious. d. A general scenario photograph showing the location of the body and its position in relation to the room in which it is found. e. At least (2) photos of the body at 90 degree angles to each other, with the camera positioned as high as possible, pointing downward toward the body.

5 f. Taking as many close-ups of the body as needed to show wounds or injuries, weapons lying nearby, and the immediate surroundings. g. The area underneath the body and under each item of evidence immediately after its removal, if there is any mark, stain, or other alteration produced by the presence of the body or evidence. h. All blood stains, preferably in color. i. A mid-range and close-up shot of all evidence collected. j. A log for the photographs and to include the date, time, and location of the picture taken. k. On log identify long range (LR), mid range (MR), or close range (CR). 3. Sketch Person: 3. Sketch Person Sketch Measurement The sketch compliments the photographs and notes taken during the search of the crime scene. It provides a floor plan of the location and the spatial relationship between objects where a photograph does not. The sketch person should eliminate, in their sketch, all objects not significant to the crime scene. A tape measure is used and graph paper is desired. Two methods are suggested, Triangulation for outdoors and the Rectangular Coordinate method for indoors. The rough draft is done at the crime scene and no changes should be made after leaving the crime scene. A finished drawing is completed from the draft in pen and notes should have the following information: a. The names, rank, and shield number of the investigator who prepared it. b. The date and time of the sketch, the crime committed, and the case number. c. The full name of anyone who assisted in taking measurements d. The crime scenes address, location inside the building, nearby landmarks, and an arrow indicating north. e. The drawing to scale (ex. 1 foot = 1/4 inch) f. The location, with accurate measurements of every major item of evidence and all other important features at the scene. g. A legend of the symbols used to identify points of interest on the drawings. (Use letter and number code as describe in class). h. Color may be used but not to the point of confusion.

6 Be careful: *an erroneous measurement creates doubt about the accuracy of other work. I. Prepare a written report of the steps taken to complete your assignment and include any improprieties or leads that you develop. 4. Evidence Collector & 5. Latent Print Examiner: Request for Lab Analysis Evidence Log 4. Evidence Collector Evidence collection is an integral part of the crime scene process and we will document the physical evidence discovered at the crime scene. Remember to document your evidence in order to start the chain of custody, which is paramount. a. A log for evidence, indicating the date, time, location, and name of person collecting it. b. Don t forget t/p/o, weather conditions, odors, etc c. Initial and date all recovered evidence. d. Properly package and label your evidence. e. Complete and submit a request for laboratory examination form. f. When completed provide these items to the Property Person. 5. Latent Print Examiner The latent print examiner will use the proper utensils and skills in order to process the evidence collected at the crime scene for latent fingerprints. Any latents recovered will be compared to any suspects exemplars for identification. Positive identifications or negative results should be reflected in your report and passed onto the Lead Investigator and the Interviewer/Interrogator. a. Maintain chain of custody when handling evidence and packages b. Process evidence using the appropriate methods learned in class. c. Use appropriate techniques in making identification. d. Create a written report describing the procedure used in processing your evidence. Include your conclusions and present them to the appropriate team members e. Whether positive or negative create a demonstrative evidence for presentation. (ex. Enlarged photocopies or PowerPoint)

7 6. Forensic Scientist & 7. Document Examiner: Latent Print Examination Ridges and Furrows Michele Triplett's Fingerprint Terms Microscopic Analysis of Hair 6. Forensic Scientist Your function is to process any trace evidence from the crime scene using the school s laboratory. Comparison microscopes will be made available for your convenience. Assistance may be sought from Mr. Cohen or Ms. Rich in the west labs. a. Proper handling of evidence is paramount in maintaining chain of custody. b. Property will be received and relinquished to the property person. c. A written report will be prepared indicating the results of your examinations. These reports will be provided to the Lead Investigator and Interviewer/Interrogator. d. You will also be required to assist the Document Examiner with their examination. 7. Document Examiner Your role is to follow the proper steps in examining a written document. You will work closely with the latent print examiner and the forensic scientist. Your results will be placed in a written report and provided to the Lead Investigator and the Interviewer/Interrogator. Remember chain of custody is paramount. a. Proper handling of evidence is paramount in maintaining chain of custody. b. Property will be received and relinquished to the property person. c. A written report will be prepared indicating the results of your examinations. These reports will be provided to the Lead Investigator and Interviewer/Interrogator. d. Seek assistance from the latent print examiner and forensic scientist.

8 8. Interview/Interrogator & 9. Property Person: Chain of Custody Miranda Rights Waiver Property Clerk Invoice 8. Interview and Interrogator This is a vital role in an investigation that will help connect various pieces of evidence with possible suspects. You will be provided leads to follow from the Lead Investigator and other team members who are required to process evidence for identification. You will seek to interview witnesses and suspects using learned techniques and staying within the bounds of the law, in particular, the 5th Amendment of the Constitution. a. Receive leads from the Lead Investigator, Forensic Scientist, Latent Print and Document Examiners. b. Find convenient times to interview suspects using techniques that are respectful and courteous to the participants of this crime scene. c. Use Advise of Rights form only if necessary. d. Prepare written reports that will include the steps you took in your investigation and statements taken from the people your have talked to. Include in your report any connections that have been made between witnesses and any further examinations that should take place. e. Provide your report to the Lead Investigator. 9. Property Person Your role is a vital one because even if there is a positive identification made between the evidence and the suspect, a weak link in the chain of custody will create a doubt in the professionalism of your team s performance. Your job is to transport the evidence from the Criminalist (evidence collector), to the appropriate examiner, back to the appropriate the secure area. A written report is necessary and should include the maintaining of evidence and the Chain of Custody. a. Receive properly packaged evidence from the Criminalists (Evidence Collectors).

9 b. Attach a Chain of Custody log to each piece of packaged evidence and have all examiners sign it in and out as they take custody of it. c. Prepare a Voucher that will include all the evidence. d. When not being examined all evidence must be kept in a secure location. (properly labeled box). Step 3 - Reaching Consensus You have learned about the different parts of a crime scene investigation. You have all formed individual conclusions that you must now share with your group. Now, you must come together and complete the Task as a group. Conclusion Crime Reconstruction Evaluation Use a logical theory using the evidence at a crime scene. You will be graded in two parts: I. Your presentation, which will include visual and factual creativity. You will be asked the significance of particular items contained in the crime scene and to identify types of evidence and their value to your investigation. Presentation you may use PowerPoint or poster board. (All members will make the presentation and speak about their parts). This will be done in a professional manner as if you are presenting the case to a jury. You will also be graded on the final written report which will include a description of your theory of what happened (reconstruction), supported by the evidence found at the crime scene, and the suspect(s) you identified and linked to the crime. Also include any leads you investigated and evidence analyzed. You should include where in the lab the evidence was sent and the results of those analyses on that evidence. II. Your Final Written Report (a compilation of all reports) with Discovery attached.

10 The Final Written Report should be at least 2 or more typed pages and include: 1. Cover sheet form: listing all the names (first + last) of the members of your group and the tasks they performed. 2. A chronological chain of events that include your theory, evidence, and investigation. 3. Individual reports from each person in order as listed on the cover sheet. 4. The final written reports should be neatly organized in a binder or folder. In your individual reports you should expand on the evidence you collected by describing the evidentiary value for the forensic scientist (Individualized v. class), the criminal investigator (corpus delecti, corroborative, etc), the prosecutor (direct v. circumstantial). You must show some connection with what you have learned during the semester. Attach your Discovery materials such as logs, charts, and handwritten notes. These can be placed chronologically in a manila envelope. Each must be clearly label with their name and role.