Criminal Investigation

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

Crime scene processing is the genuine demonstration of handling the Crime scene in the field. The handling alludes to the entire employment of looking at, capturing, rapidly drawing, and utilizing field methods for getting things done to recognize, (make sense of the value, sum, or nature of), archive, process and gather physical, tribute and unique mark (event(s) or object(s) that demonstrate something). Handling a Crime scene needs/requests extraordinary tender loving care and detail. To preserve(event(s) or object(s) that demonstrate something), appropriate advances must be taken in time-based request. The means utilized to do what's necessary to test/assess any Crime scene are, fundamentally, to meet, analyze, photo, portray and process

Its imperative to understand that crime scene investigation and forensic science are both similar fields of study. Both of these careers require a criminal justice degree and solely focus on the aftermath of a crime. The ultimate objective of both is to gather and analyze evidence to solve a crime. Each of these professions playing an integral role in the flow of analysis in the criminal justice system. By working together, an CSI examine the location and gather evidence at the scene and bring the evidence back to a forensic scientist to analyze. They both utilize the scientific and

By now the crime scene has been labeled a homicide and detectives have been dispatched to the scene. When the detectives arrive the lead officer will then provide a detailed crime scene briefing to the detective in charge of the scene. This briefing will be the only opportunity for the detective to receive the initial aspects of the crime scene prior to subsequent investigation. Since the crime scene and any/all evidence collected are the key factors in making a case, the crime scene must be documented as soon as possible including, appearance and condition of the scene upon arrival, lights on/off, shades up/down, doors, windows open/closed, any unusual smells, ice, liquids, weather conditions, temperature, and any personal items that may have been left behind. Once the lead detective has been briefed and evaluates the scene him/herself, he/she will then need to determine if consent to search and/or obtaining a search warrant is needed. The scene assessment allows the lead detective

As human overpopulation increases, there will be a lack of resources and basic necessities that will become scarcer elevating crime rates. The broad field of forensics has numerous jobs that specialize in a specific duty. It provides and analyzes evidence in laboratories or offices that helps both state and local police departments solve crimes. As technology advances it also aids in the advancement of forensics. Forensic Science Technicians are required to have a variety of distinctive skills to assist in criminal investigations.

One of the biggest legal challenges of crime scene investigations is whether federal or state procedural laws were followed correctly, failure to properly conduct procedural steps in the collection of evidence could result in the evidence being contaminated, altered, or if stored improperly it would result in the lost of evidence (Buckles, 2006, p. 29). Evidence that is not properly documented will not be admissible in court or if the evidence was obtained illegally meaning that the evidence was collected without a warrant when a warrant was needed the evidence will not be admissible in court therefore it is crucial for law enforcement and investigators to be familiar with the laws that govern crime scene investigations (Buckles, 2006, p.

The Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory was developed to provide the highest quality of professional forensic services to the State of Louisiana. The commitment of the agency includes applying sound scientific principles in all analyses, being responsive to our customers, conducting our operations in a fair and objective manner, and being a leader in advancing forensic science. The mission of the laboratory is to assist all of the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in Louisiana in the investigation of criminal activity (Office of Public Safety Services, 2015). The agency is also committed to providing accurate and timely scientific analysis of items of physical evidence and reporting the results of those analyses to appropriate entities in the criminal justice community.

What is crime scene investigation? Crime scene investigation is the use of physical evidence at the scene of the crime and the use of of the deductive and inductive reasoning to gain knowledge of the events and of the surrounding crime. Crime scene investigating is a big combination of Science, logic and law.

There are many skills & traits that can help a criminal investigator be successful, it doesn’t need to know or possess knowledge of all of them since is to broad, but the most the investigator acquire the best, some of them are as followed:

In the episode “Gum Drops” of the series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, one of the featured forensic analysts was a crime scene investigator. The duties of a crime scene investigator are diverse, and include tasks such as securing and processing the crime scene, documenting the crime scene with photography and investigative reports, giving testimonies in court, and collecting evidence for analysis in forensic laboratories.

Crimes happen every day and every day there are CSI’s that rush out to process the crime scenes. The question becomes what are the procedures of processing a crime scene? During this paper I will discuss the Zane Floyd case of 1999. I will step through the major points of crime scene processing from start to finish. I will explain the process from first responders to evidence collection to releasing the crime scene.

The photographer that is present at the crime scene is responsible for making one picture worth a thousand words. Photography plays an integral role in the documentation of physical evidence found at crime and accident scenes as well as during forensic autopsies. Forensic Photographers are among the first crime scene technicians to arrive at crime and accident scenes. They walk through a scene to obtain an overview before they begin taking photographs. Forensic Photographers apply their technical skills and their knowledge of anatomy and forensic requirements to take photographs that convey the information that crime scene, criminal, medico legal, or forensic investigators need documented. These

“Crime scene investigators, or forensic science technicians, work for law enforcement agencies or other criminal justice organizations that use trained investigators. They collect, find, classify and analyze physical evidence to help solve and prosecute criminal activity. A crime scene investigator (CSI) may test weapons, clothing, fibers, hair and tissue for criminal evidence. These professionals may also specialize in ballistics, fingerprinting or handwriting.” Alliance, U. (n.d.).October 9, 2015. Carefully observing and investigating a crime scene ensures that there is no manipulation of the available evidence. Protecting any possible evidence on the scene is the responsibility of the law enforcement agency that is present. In my paper, I will discuss the role of the police officers, as well as the normal ways when recording and gathering evidence.

I would like to let the readers know that my paper will be on my field of study. It is a great field to be in. With criminal investigations, which is my field of study can be the detectives, field officers or the crime scene technicians. The crime scene tech position is what I myself am going into. I believe that there is always going to be crime with that they would need the crime scene techs and they go out and process the crime scene without getting evidence and getting it process there as well not be a case. What I would like to let you know is how the techs start their investigations and what they do so that it can be processed in the lab to help break and close the cases that they are working on.

A crime investigation can be considered more effective and complete if the investigator is experienced and has suitable knowledge of science and techniques and has a thorough understanding of his profession. As stated earlier, each crime is unique in itself