Behind The Tape

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Abstract “Behind the Tape” Th investigation of homicide usually starts at the point where the body is originally found. This location is referred to as the primary crime scene. The primary crime scene describes the importance of this location and the direct concern of responding police officials to this forensically critical area in death investigations. A homicide crime scene begins at the point where the suspect changed intention into action. It continues through the escape route and includes any location where physical or trace evidence may be located. The focus of a homicide crime scene investigation is to search for the truth, reconstruct what happened and identify the person responsible for the crime. Crime scene professionals…show more content…
Because of the nature of the crime (death by violence or unnatural causes), the answer to "What has occurred?" can only be obtained after a careful and smart investigation of the crime scene and after the professional and medical evaluation of the various bits and pieces of evidence gathered by the criminal investigator. These bits and pieces may be in the form of trace evidence found at the scene, statements taken from suspects, direct eyewitness accounts, or autopsy results. Successful homicide investigation often depends on the initial actions taken by the patrol officers responding to any given scene. This is imperative in order to protect evidentiary materials before they are destroyed, altered, or lost. As with any crime scene homicide investigation is conducted in a systematic manner. Since the homicide crime scene is proof that a crime has been committed it often Provides a wealth of physical evidence that may link a suspect to the…show more content…
If it is necessary that that something at the scene be immediately secured or removed before it is destroyed or lost, the officer handling the evidence must document its location, appearance, condition, and any other feature that might affect the investigation. The officer must be sure to inform the homicide detective of the item's original position so that it does not lose its evidentiary value. Before entering the building an exterior survey is needed to see if any noticeable evidence is obvious. This help to decide how entry was made into the dwelling. After entering the house and before collecting evidence, the investigator will make a visual survey of the area where the crime was committed and everything should be photographed, sketched, video recorded and notes taken. Once the assessment of the scene is completed, the task of documenting and evaluating the body begins. This includes position and examination of the body, postmortem changes, wounds, condition of clothing, blood stains and patterns, gunshot residue, and preserving the evidence. Needless to say the evidence collected must be properly packaged,
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