Crime Scene Investigation
Task 12.3 Crime Scene Investigation
M3
Explain how crime scenes can be linked and offenders profiled.
For M3, learners can then develop this knowledge to enable them to explain how crime scenes are linked and offenders are profiled. There are also TV programmes looking at this aspect of crime scene investigation that can help learners see how these links are made.
P5
Describe the role of the Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
To achieve P5, learners are required to describe the role of crime scene investigation. There are a number of real-life and dramatised TV programmes that learners can watch (The Real CSI, FBI Files, CSI, CSI Miami, CSI New York, NCIS) that will assist them with this task. They could also set up their own crime scene or invite a guest speaker.
Glossary
Modus Operandi (Latin)
Method of Operation
Post-mortem
Post-mortem examination, or autopsy, an examination of a corpse in order to determine cause of death.
Fragile
Easily broken or damaged
Offender Profiling
The aim of profiling is to:-
Understand the motivation of an offender committing a crime. This information can be used to stop others offending
Build a profile of an offender so that they can be found, identified and charged
Different types of offender can be linked with different types of crime
Method of Operation- Modus Operandi
Many other ways that crimes can be linked allows the patterns of the offender to build a profile
Crime Scenes may be linked by
How stolen articles have been disposed of
How the crime was committed
The type of crime
The time at which the crime takes place
Location
Linking Crime Scenes
Gives the possibility to learn more more about the criminal who committed the crimes
Software can be used to pick out similarities and differences between different crime scenes from the evidence database
Role of CSI
Provide scientific analysis of evidence
Sometimes required to attend post-mortems
Attend court to give evidence
May need to interview victims of crime
Maintain and update systems with details of recovered evidence
Produce accurate written records and diagrams of where evidence was located and the position it was found
Maintain Evidence Database
Forensic photograhers takes full set of photos of the scene of a crime to preserve fragile evidence
Forensics
Shoe Prints and Tyre Prints
Shoeprints can also indicate a persons height and weight
Can help prove a person or vehicle visited the scene of a crime
Fingerprinting
No two people have the same print
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
DNA is often collected from people who are arrested and kept on a national database
Blood, hair and other deposits of the human body found at a crime scene all contain DNA
Unique to an individual
The genetic material contained in the cells of all living things
Forensic Science Specialisms
Document authenticity
Explosives
Firearms
Poisonings
Drink (and driving)
Drugs
Physical evidence left behind at a crime scene
Flammable substances used to start fires
Tool and tyre marks
Footwear and shoes prints
Materials used in buildings such as pain and glass
Textile fibres from clothing
Hairs
Body fluids
These physical traces are used to try to make a connection between someone suspected of commiting a crime, the scene of the crime and the victim.
Searching for and examining physical traces which may have been left behind at a crime scene
Police Responsibities at the Crime Scene
Examining the Crime Scene
Controlling the Scene
Detaining Suspects and Witnesses
Preventing Evidence and Crime Scene Contamination
Preserving Life
Forensic science
The application of science to the law.
Scientific tests or techniques used in connection with the detection of crime.
