Process of Solving a Homicide Essay

The popular television show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigations has been on the air for 12 years, and it has brought forth the behind-the-scenes actions of criminal investigations, even if its portrayals are not always scientifically accurate. This has caused an interest in the forensic sciences that has led most people to a skewed view of how a criminal investigation actually works. The reality of a criminal investigation is that it is generally more tedious and difficult than the theory of criminal investigation would have you believe. By examining the forensic and investigative procedures of the case of Pamela Foddrill, it is apparent that the theory of criminal investigation was not representative of the procedures concerning examination

Law enforcement agencies have relied on forensic art as one of their investigation methods for many years. The job of a forensic artist is quite difficult because he or she must reconstruct an image of an individual based on just hearsay and memory from another individual. The purpose of this study is to research forensic artists, also known as sketch artists, and their ability to draw up a suspect through the information provided by a witness. Interviews on two different forensic artists provide insight of the duties and hardships a law enforcement sketch artist takes on. The process of how law enforcement sketch artists are able to recreate the face of another individual, and how that picture can be a very useful piece of evidence for crime reports will also be addressed throughout the study. This study is relevant to anthropology because it touches on how how an individual perceives those around them and forensics itself is also one of the key topics discussed in biological anthropology.

Upon arrival at a crime scene you will need to speak with the lead officer or lead crime scene investigator to find out what allegedly happened at the crime scene. There are certain precautions that are taken at crime scenes to preserve evidence. First you will have to wear protective gear including, hair net, shoe covers, plastic surgical gloves, suits and any other items that are required to prevent scene contamination. This gear will also help protect you against any health hazards that may be located in the crime scene such as blood or tissue contaminates. Before entering a crime scene be sure to look for protective plates that are put in place to

but it is connected to money. There is no victim in it but the villain

From day to day it may be different but typical the homicide detective will be called to a investigation scene. First off when you get to the scene I will assess and manage the scene. This means examining the victim for clues. Next I will document the scene I would complete a walk through, making sure I do not disturb any evidence. Also making permanent record of the scene, it is important to do this before moving anything. After that I will photography or videotape the scene conducting a thorough search; make a rough sketch; dust for fingerprints; identify, document, and collect all fluids and fibers: and control evidence to maintain its integrity. Then canvass the area to locate witnesses. This step is critical because more homicides are solved by canvassing than any other method. Finally identify suspects, proper handling suspects leads to a successful prosecution. But remember that all suspects are still entitled to their rights C. The excitement of going to work each day and not knowing what is in store for you is very interesting. This job may be asking a lot even in an investigation but the adrenaline is very

This is important because clearing the scene of possible suspects and protecting the scene is safer and more effective with multiple law enforcement personnel present. The first responding officer needs to be looking for suspect vehicles as well as potential suspects as he or she approaches the general vicinity of the crime. The responding officer must also take notice of individuals acting suspicious or lingering at the crime scene. They could be witnesses or even suspects. Suspects in a homicide sometimes stay in the area to gain information on the initial investigation or intimidate witnesses. Another important fact to remember as the first responding officer is that most homicides are committed by acquaintances. It is tough to accept, but a friend or family member at the scene could be the perpetrator of the crime. (Lyman

The first priority for a first responding officer(s) is safety that there is no threat to the officer or citizens at the scene. Once the scene is secured, investigators and forensics personal can process the scene. Once forensics personal is notified this is called “called out”. They should record the date and time of the call out they receive. Once at the crime scene they get a briefing about the incident. Forensic technician should record arrival time, and time briefing is over. Should also document the names and identification numbers of all personal present. Ask if any fragile evidence or area of the scene has been disturbed is important. Tracked blood, shoe or tire impressions from first responder’s activity. Start processing scene. Initial search for evidence is a search conducted by the forensic technician to survey the scene to determine and prioritize task. Records date and time the initial search for evidence. Records notes on areas of interest, and location of evidence. Notes environmental and premises conditions. Always proceed slowly (sight, smell, hearing, and touch) using senses. Night time crime scenes are difficult to see blood, firearm casings etc. hard to locate.

They have to make sure that before they entered the crime scene, nothing in the scene should have been moved. While they are going through a walk-through, they may have to construct theories about what happened in the crime scene based on visual examination. Investigators have to take photographs of the scene and will later on be collected. Taking photographs of the scene will help them solve the crime because there are some points of the investigation that investigators may have overlooked evidence, and that evidence could be found in the photographs. After taking photographs of the scene, they will start to collect clue and evidence that may lead them to their possible suspect(s). What they may find in the crime scene are fingerprints which can be done using colored powder and a brush, other thizngs such as blood, firearms, hair, glass and many more things that can be found in the crime scenes.

used to looking at a dead body. Then she saw it, clutched in her hand

In the previous session, I had done a major scene management workshop, in this workshop I had observed a crime scene, taken notes and sketches and also done a forensic strategy. The strategy focused on what evidence I would collect, why I would collect it and in what order, and finally if any experts would be needed. This will help in today’s session in terms of planning a forensic strategy and aiding in terms of what to do with any potential evidence found and if any experts maybe needed.

were the bodies of both Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman. There was a large amount

An officer should start taking notes as soon as physically possible when entering a potential crime scene. An officer needs to use discernment when taking notes while interviewing a victim or a witness who may not want to be recorded. It may be more productive to write the notes immediately after the interview. Officers should first record all the general information such as time, date, and location. Notes should include a description of location including variables such as weather and visibility at the location. Notes should include as many facts as possible to answer questions such as when, where, who, what, how, and why. An officer's notes will become part of the official record and should be factual, precise, and free from opinion.

Crime scene preservation should be the most important step to any first responder. This protocol should continue to be followed by anyone who processes the scene. From the moment the first responder arrives at the scene, he/she should exercise a pertinacious attitude to insure that curious onlookers and personnel who are not involved in a task related to the scene, remain outside the cordoned

Throughout an investigation mistakes, ethics, and biases play a vital role. When mistakes or bad ethnical decisions occur and individuals either gets off on a technicality or possibly are falsely accused through bad evidence; these types of blunders expose why it is critical that a crime scene is processed properly.

Crime scene yellow tape is a well-known sight. In order to preserve the integrity of the evidence of a crime scene, human contact should be avoided. Crime scenes are immediately sealed off, preventing the public from seeing a gruesome sight as well as preventing anyone, including police officers and other investigators from trampling the crime scene and contaminating the evidence. Criminal prosecutions rely on evidence presented in a court of law so it is