SCENE

I NVESTI GATI ON

Dr. Raquel Fortun
Forensic investigation questions:
Who is the victim?
What are the injuries?
How were the injuries sustained?
Where and when did the injuries occur?
If the injuries were caused by another
person, by whom?
What constitutes useful
evidence?
The body
Objects on or with the body
Injuries
Tissues/fluid samples
Other medical findings
FORENSIC AUTOPSY
CONCERNS
Death scene investigation
Identification of the body
Time, cause and manner of death
Complete external and internal exam
Documentation of findings
Toxicology and other tests
FORENSIC AUTOPSY
CONCERNS
Type of weapon/agent responsible for the
injury
Identify the person/s responsible for the
injury
Factors predisposing the victim to
injury/modifying the effects of the injury
TYPES OF EVIDENCE
TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE
evidence given in the form of a statement
made under oath, usually in response to
questioning
REAL OR PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
evidence that can take almost any form
Every contact leaves a trace.
Edmund Locard
VALUE OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
It can prove that a crime has been committed or it
can establish key elements of a crime
It can link a suspect with the victim or with the crime
scene
It can establish the identity of the persons associated
with a crime
It can exonerate the innocent
It can corroborate the victims testimony
VALUE OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
A suspect when confronted with it may make
admissions or even confess
It is more reliable than eyewitnesses to crimes
Court decisions have made physical evidence more
important and it is expected in criminal cases
Negative evidence (absence of physical evidence)
may provide useful information and stop defense
arguments at the time of trial
EVIDENCE RECONSTRUCTION
discovery OF EVENTS
preservation ===> LEADING TO
documentation INJURY/DEATH
analysis
FORMS OF
DOCUMENTATION
DESCRIPTIONS
+
DIAGRAMS
+
PHOTOGRAPHS
DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES
nature
location
size
shape
color
number
other features
SUSPICIOUS CHILD DEATH

HISTORY
+
INJURIES
+
SCENE
--------------------
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Falls

Evaluate:
Height of fall
Structures possibly used for climbing up
Type of surface where child landed
Objects which could have impacted the body

Burns

Evaluate:
Distribution of burns in the body
Probable position of the body
Type of substance and its temperature
Source, containers etc

THE HOMICIDE KIT
Writing materials
Measuring tools
Protective gear
Evidence collection materials
Audio recording and photography equipment
Lighting equipment
Others

Arrival at the scene:
Record time and date, address
General observations
Scope of initial investigation
Persons involved
Scene alterations

Scene control:
Scope of the scene
Preliminary photographs
Perimeters and security

NOTE: Document before anything else.
Do not use any facility at the scene
Weapons:
Document location, position, condition
Disarm if applicable
Is the weapon from the premises?
Any trace evidence?
Secure for further examination
Suspect in custody at the scene:
Remove from the scene and isolate
Prevent contamination
Safeguard evidence on the suspect
Advise suspect of rights prior to questioning
Written documentation of waiver of rights


Photographs:
Photo log
Standard shots of location, adjacent areas,
front entrance
Site where body was located
If body is at the scene, take general, full body
and close-up views; more shots after removal
Other shots
Note: From the general to the specific
One can never take too many photographs


Scene sketch:
Simple line drawing
Identify sketcher, note time and date, address
Compass north, scale, legend


Body at the scene:
Appearance, position, clothing
Sex, age, build, race, injuries
Lividity, rigidity, temperature readings, degree
of decomposition, insects
Physical evidence on the body
Bag the hands
Wrap and remove for autopsy
Check under the body after removal


Evidence recovery, storage, transfer:
Prevent loss, contamination, switching and
degradation
Designate officer in charge of evidence
Document the discovery and disposition of
evidence
Establish chain of custody
Evidence recovery, storage, transfer:
Label
case number
describe the item
original position and location
date and time of collection
marking to identify the person who found it

Note: Clean container, right size
Paper is better than plastic
Seal seams
Air-dry before packaging

THANK
YOU!