Other Important Investigative Considerations

Other Important Investigative Considerations

Risk Assessment

  • A risk assessment should be conducted to ensure the crime scene is safe for investigators and to determine what protective measures need to be taken.
  • Physical hazards such as biohazards, chemical waste, or unstable structures should be noted and approached with caution.
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn at all times to reduce risk and prevent contamination.

Logistics

  • Coordination with other agencies or departments may be necessary for complex investigations.
  • Access routes to the scene need to be defined to avoid disturbance of evidence.
  • Control of the crime scene should be maintained at all times to ensure its integrity.

Specialist Assistance

  • Certain types of evidence may require specialist assistance for collection or interpretation.
  • Examples might include blood spatter analysis, entomology, or digital forensics.

Crime Scene Reconstruction

  • After evidence has been collected, an attempt to reconstruct the crime may be carried out.
  • This involves interpretation of the evidence and scenario to form a possible sequence of events.
  • The goal of reconstruction is to better understand what happened and help guide the ongoing investigation.

Forensic Laboratory

  • Once collected, evidence will often be sent to a forensic laboratory for further analysis.
  • Procedures such as DNA profiling, ballistic testing, drug testing, or document examination could take place.
  • The lab’s findings can provide additional insights and help identify suspects or support legal proceedings.

Reporting

  • Findings at the crime scene and subsequent laboratory results should be communicated effectively in a forensic report.
  • This report might be used in court, so needs to be clear, unbiased, and fact-based.
  • Any conclusions made should be supported by the evidence and clearly justified.
  • In all aspects of evidence collection and analysis, investigators must adhere to the law and maintain ethical standards.
  • This includes respecting privacy rights, ensuring a thorough and unbiased investigation, and presenting results honestly in the courtroom.
  • Any breach can undermine the investigation and lead to miscarriage of justice.