5 Crime Scene Tips

I don't know if you have come across 'Forensic Magazine' online, but it is a great resource for writers, students, and anybody who wants to know more about forensic science.

 

I particularly like their 'Crime Scene Tips', so I thought I would share some of them with you in this blog.  There's no particular theme, but I hope you find them useful and/or interesting.

 

1. Avoid Contamination

 

A golden rule of crime scene investigation is the control of contamination and cross-contamination.  Here is the link to a list of good practice points:

 

http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/07/control-contamination#.UgoVBnY1jIU

 

Many wasted investigative hours were spent in the so-called 'Spy in a Bag' case owing to contamination.  DNA found on the victim's body was not a significant lead in the case, as the police first thought, but originated from one of the scientists working at the scene.

 

Here are the details:  http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/forensic-dna-blunder-hindered-spy-in-bag-investigation-for-a-year-7603447.html

 

2. Finding Evidence Using Fluorescent Light

 

This tip is especially relevant if you are a screen writer. In the link you will find a video demonstrating how to use fluorescent fingerprint powder and specialized lighting conditions to locate evidence.

 

http://www.forensicmag.com/videos/2013/06/find-evidence-using-fluorescent-light#.UgoZwnY1jIU

 

3. How to Process a Fire Scene

 

The destructive nature of fire makes processing the scene very challenging.  Here is the link to the checklists of procedures that fire investigators should follow.

http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/07/processing-fire-or-arson-scene#.Ugo9bnY1jIU

In the UK, Dyson Allen, 19, was recently convicted of the manslaughter of three small children and their elder brother, who tried to rescue them. 

Although Allen maintained that the fire had started accidentally, the forensic scientists who examined the evidence found that it had been started deliberately.

Here is an account of this tragic case:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-23416352 

4. Arson Scene Hazards

This tip is related to no. 3 and should be common sense to experienced investigators, but maybe not to a rookie.

http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/03/arson-scene-hazards#.UgpBc3Y1jIU

5. Documenting a Vehicle Death Scene

Sadly, people die in cars every day, as a result of road traffic accidents.  Inhaling exhaust fumes while inside a car is a common method of suicide,  Perhaps a body is found inside a car on a parking lot and the cause of death is not immediately apparent.

Whatever the situation, here is an account of what the scene examiner should do when processing a car containing a body.

http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/08/documenting-vehicle-death-scene#.UgpEcHY1jIU

Here is a link to a report of suicide in a car in Shanghai, China.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/796019.shtml#.UgzpyHY1jI

Thank you for continuing to read my blog.  I'll be back in two weeks time.