Crime Scene Safety During the COVID-19 Crisis

Introduction 

In the criminal justice system, the conviction of an individual for a crime that they did not commit can be referred to as a tragedy. Erroneous convictions have immeasurable implications for the original crime victims, families, and exonerees (Mao et al., 2020) . Every incident, be it an armed robbery, natural disaster, or a crime, leaves both seen and unseen droplets at the scene of the incident. The sole purpose of an ensuing investigation is for professionals to correctly interpret the facts based on the evidence, reconstruct the events, and understand what happened (Mao et al., 2020) . Due to the delicate nature of the droplets, the safeguarding and dependability of their physical integrity largely depend on the initial actions that occur at the crime scene. Besides preserving the crime scene from contamination, often than not, professionals face high risks whenever they enter a crime scene. Professionals face the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, which increases the chances of infections, thus requiring strict compliance with health and safety work-related practices (Mao et al., 2020) . Crime scene professionals should, therefore, know their responsibilities, risks, and rights with regards to bloodborne pathogens. 

The terms "Safe" and "Healthy" describe the conditions that an individual wishes for oneself and others, whether at work, at home, or play (Mao et al., 2020) . However, these can be the last things that we think about until after an accident has occurred. Health and safety are a critical component of professional dealing with crime scenes, and they must satisfy the legislative requirements for both employers and employees who work with hazardous substances or materials which can cause harm (Xue et al., 2020) . Crime scene investigators should not become victims of the crime scenes that they are investigating. Crime scenes can happen anywhere; therefore, investigating officers can encounter hazardous materials. 

The Devastating Impact of Hazardous Materials on Crime Scene Investigators 

Crimes that involve shooting in an industrial plant such as metal fabrications may lead to the officers encountering hazardous materials. Toxic solvents such as acetone and benzene are used in many manufacturing operations (Xue et al., 2020) . Chemicals such as trichloroethylene are used as degreasers for mental finishing operations and for cleaning printing shops. If a crime is committed in such an area, this poses a potential threat to all law enforcement officers in the area. The dangers are also self-evident for investigative officers at the forensics laboratories. Other crimes are specific to nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological materials that do pose not only a danger to the targets but also police investigators and innocent bystanders (Xue et al., 2020) . Such crimes may occur as a result of terrorist activities or due to unusual circumstances such as sending toxic poisons through the mail. 

It has been 19 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The first responders who worked at Ground Zero, the New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner, and the Fresh Kills Land Fill were subjected to a toxic combination of chemical, carcinogenic, biologicals, and heavy metals. It has been estimated that more than ten thousand first responders were diagnosed with cancer, and more than two-thousand deaths were linked to post 9/11 illnesses (Xue et al., 2020) . The Environmental Protection Agency came under heavy criticism after they falsely claimed that the air around Ground Zero was safe after it was tested (Xue et al., 2020) . In March 2018, the city of Salisbury in the United Kingdom experienced a case of poisoning that led to several innocent bystanders, and first responders became extremely ill after they were exposed to a suspected chemical weapon called Novichok. After the incident, more than twenty-five people required immediate medical attention (Xue et al., 2020) . Other examples of similar cases include the Tokyo subway sarin attack in 1995 and the 2001 anthrax letter attacks in the United States. Irrespective of the dangers, crime scene investigators are obliged to begin their forensic investigations immediately. 

Investigations and Trends During the COVID-19 Crisis 

The global COVID-19 crisis has forced law enforcement agencies to adopt new ways in handling criminal investigations (Henwood, 2020) . The pandemic has spread rapidly across the world and has resulted in more than 12.9 million confirmed cases, 571,000 deaths and more than 7 million recoveries (Henwood, 2020) . Due to the lack of experience in conducting autopsies and the strong infectivity of the novel virus, the pandemic has created health challenges for both health practitioners and forensic investigators (Henwood, 2020) . By law, death scenes require immediate processing and this may pose challenges to forensic investigators as they may not beware of the victim’s accurate health conditions, travel history or contact history in the pandemic area of with infected persons. These uncertainties mean that police officers, forensic investigators and health practitioners working at COVID-19 death scenes face severe risks of getting infected (Henwood, 2020) . The asymptomatic transmission of the novel virus shows that nay person can be infected with 2019-nCOV but not show signs. Therefore, it is always recommended that all personal use personal protective equipment (PPE) at death scenes or when handling patients with the virus. 

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), COVID-19 has a string resistance and survivability in cold environments and this is an indication that the virus can survive for more extended periods of time after the infected individual has passed on (Livingston et al., 2020) . Therefore, the remains of patients who have succumbed from 2019-nCOV may have the virus still existing in their corpuses. The known routes of transportation for the virus include contact with viral secretions, aerosols, and respiratory droplets. Crime scene investigators, health and forensic practitioners are at high risks of getting infected with the virus either organ extraction, or moving the body to the morgue as the virus can be passively released (Henwood, 2020) . In addition, any injury or the spray of body fluids could increase the risks of occupational exposures. 

Given the rapid spread of 2019-nCOV, the use of proper safety measures must be emphasized for the rates of infections to be controlled at crime scenes, and health care settings (Livingston et al., 2020) . The transmission methods for the virus include coming into contact with respirational droplets from an infected person or through unintended contact with contaminated surfaces or supplies (Xue et al., 2020) . To prevent the spread of infections among crime scene investigators and police officers with 2019-nCOV, proper training and demonstration should be conducted on how to put on and remove doffing and donning personal protective equipment. PPE equipment such as gloves, gowns, full face goggles, and a respirator rated N95 or higher is used to prevent the exposure of individuals from the virus. According to the guidelines stipulated by WHO and OSHA, crime scene investigators may use coveralls or fluid-resistant gowns that must conceal the body from the neck to the mid-calf, and the surgical gloves must also extend to cover the wrists of the gowns (Livingston et al., 2020) . For disposable N95 respirators to be used, they must be NIOSH certified and meticulously tested by occupational health officers (Xue et al., 2020) . NIOSH recommends that the respirators must be accompanied by a full-face armor that protects the neck and neck. 

Other than the novel virus pandemic, crime scene investigators may be exposed to hazardous materials at crime scenes, and added security measures limit the attack surface. Before the epidemic, wearing gloves at crime scenes was mandatory, whether police officers and forensic practitioners were processing, collecting, or cleaning the scenes (Xue et al., 2020) . When processing a crime scene, there are specific steps that are to be taken by forensic investigators so that they do not come into contact with hazardous materials. Forensic departments across the globe must always wear protective equipment at crimes to help protect them against the infection and spread of 2019-nCOV (Xue et al., 2020) . Depending on the size of the department, forensic practitioners work 24 hours a day and seven days a week by responding to violent crimes across cities. Due to the nature of their work, forensic units can be described as the most vulnerable to infections, and the impacts of an outbreak within the group can hinder their operations. The PPE units worn by crime scene specialists have been designed to protect evidence from contamination as there is an increased need to preserve crime scene units from the evidence due to the pandemic (Mahmood et al., 2020) . Other than wearing masks, crime scene units disinfect their vehicles and must ensure that any potential infectious agents have been removed from items or equipment that are being handled by multiple people. 

The factual data provided by CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) with regards to the pandemic state that the mode of transmission evolves daily so as the spread of cases. The CDC recommends that first responders should use distance if possible, from either known or believed to coronavirus patients, employ the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and practice proper handwashing techniques (Mahmood et al., 2020) . The critical question that need to be answered is, when these precautions should be applied? The reasoning behind this is that every scene entered is a foreign environment whose sanitary practices are unknown. When personal protective equipment is worn, removed, and disposed, it is effective in protecting forensic specialists in crime screens and those that the individual comes into contact (Mendis, 2017) . When taking care of patients with COVID-19 or handling crime scenes of suspected patients crime scene investigators must take precautions not to contaminate themselves or their PPE. 

General Procedures for Putting on PPEs 

Depending on the environment or incident, forensic crime investigators may be wearing personal protective equipment for extended periods (Mahmood et al., 2020) . Forensic practitioners must ensure that they are well hydrated and that they have used the lavatory before wearing a PPE. For those who put on prescription glasses, they must ensure that they are firmly held on their face, and the glasses alone do not constitute as eye safety. PPE kits should be put on by forensic investigators when they are near the crime scene, and it is recommended that before donning the PPE, the investigators should change into scrubs, secure long hair, and dispose of any personal ornaments. It is also recommended that before handling the PPE kits, individuals must wash their hands with soap and water, or disinfect their hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer (Mahmood et al., 2020) . The integrity of the equipment should be checked before they are worn. It also recommended the kits should be worn in the presence of a colleague as they will help ensure that they are no breaches in the PPE kits. 

When applying a respirator, its outside should be cupped with the dominant hand, and the flexible nasal strip should be held with the fingers by letting the two fastenings hang at will around the hand (Herron et al., 2020) . After that, the respirator is then brought to the individual’s face. After the respirator has been worn, it should be covered with both hands around the ages and then tested for air leaks by breathing in quickly severally. First respondents should wear face shields by letting them rest on their foreheads while securing the fastenings at the back of their heads. Before putting on the glove, the hands must be disinfected with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (Herron et al., 2020) . After that, the forensic practitioner is ready to enter the crime scene. 

General Procedures for Removing the PPE Kits 

The extraction and disposal of an infected PPE kit are challenging as an individual must prevent himself from being exposed to pathogens (Herron et al., 2020) . In most cases, it is recommended that an observer should be present when the PPE kits are being removed to ensure that there are no breaches. The glove in the glove technique should be used when removing gloves. First, the gloves should be removed by holding the glove on the left hand with the right hand (Herron et al., 2020) . The surface of the gloves should then be grasped as the wrist and pulled off with the other hand ensuring that the contaminated surface is folded inside (Livingston et al., 2020) . The same should be applied on the remaining hand, and after and after successful removal, the gloves must be discarded. Both hands should be disinfected with an alcohol-based sanitizer.  

To remove the gowns, they should be fastened at the waist first. A colleague should help in undoing the fastenings at the back of the gown and the neck (Livingston et al., 2020) . The area around the shoulders should be grasped, and the gown unwrapped from the body by turning it inside out and packaging it into a bundle. The Inner part of the gown is the only section that should be visible. The gown is discarded and hands disinfected before and after leaving the crime scene. To avoid contamination of the nose and eyes, a person should tilt their head forward and raise the facial shield by the leash (Livingston et al., 2020) . The facial protection is to be raised above and away from the head without touching the facial shield in its entirety. The face is either disposed of or placed in the right container for decontamination by making use of the appropriate guidelines stipulated by your organization. 

Discussion 

The preventive methods that have been given to both police officers and civilians to aid in keeping the populace safe against 2019-nCOV are almost similar to the measures that had already been put into place for forensic investigators. Crime scene investigators and first respondents have always been aware of the tools and methodologies used to handle hazardous substances, and now the public has also been informed. Every crime scene is always filled with the unknown, and so is any public space irrespective of the level of cleanliness that is present. Due to the pandemic, all people must be cautious and remember that safety procedures have always been around, and there is nothing to panic about. It is to be noted that all these precautions and measures that have been put in place will extend beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Technological advancements have led to the development of sophisticated tools in the field of electronics, robotics, and aeronautics. One major key milestone is the development of unmanned aircraft (UAVs) or drones. The current methods involved in the processing of crime scenes are time-consuming, need highly skilled personnel; they are extensive and vulnerable to contamination. Although, the introduction of UAVs into crime scenes, in addition to the already established procedures, offers a higher degree of flexibility over manual methods of investigation. Drones are light-weight and multipurpose tools that can be used to conduct various responsibilities at crimes scenes. Through aerial surveillance, drones can be used for photography, the search for evidence, take videos, conduct safety assessments, and examine environments that are impossible for difficult to reach. The photos and videos made by UAVs can be used by forensic investigators to provide an analysis of the crime scene before human beings can be sent in or to obtain a second opinion. The use of drones can be instrumental in reducing the attack surface for contaminated crime scenes as well as they can help forensic investigators map out crime scenes before they can be visited. 

As governments across the globe are seeking for a technological solution with a silver bullet that will put an end to coronavirus pandemic and ease the lockdown measures so that people can move freely and safely from their homes, there is a spike in the use of drones. Law enforcement officials are making use of UAVs to help in the enforcement of social distancing, identify infected populations through thermal imaging and even assist in contact tracing using mass surveillance and face recognition. In other states, UAVs are being used to disinfect public spaces, thus preventing the further spread of the novel virus. Government agencies and health care authorities are using UAVs because they are easy to operate, they can quickly be mobilized, and they are inexpensive, in addition to having the ability reduce the risk of first responders getting exposed to the virus. When the epidemic was at its peak in China, the Chinese government deployed large-scale remote-controlled drones that were equipped with infrared so that they could monitor people’s temperature during the lockdown. Other than China, countries such as the UAE, India, Columbia, Chile, and the Philippines have deployed drones to help in the control and spread of the coronavirus effectively. Researchers in Sweden are currently working on drone-based deliveries that can be used in the flattening of the curve against the coronavirus by transporting 3600 tests daily. In the United States, drones are being used by law enforcement officials to cover more ground which has proved to be more effective over police officers deployed on the ground. Crime scene investigators and police officers can now work remotely without fear of getting into contact or transmitting the virus from one host to another. 

Conclusion 

Today, many risks are facing crime investigators and forensic scientists. According to reports from the CDC, more than 3 million Americans develop resistance to antibiotics, and more than 25,000 people die as a result. Therefore, it is vital for cross-training to happen in modern societies as forensic investigators can find themselves in unique conditions during an investigation. This is an area that requires unique training and more adequate skills to be imparted to crime scene investigators through publications, conferences and workshops on the safety, health and hazard issues when working on a crime scene. Individual well-being and occupational safety are vital when it comes to limiting exposures both in the field and in the laboratory. Crime scene investigators are required to maintain the OSHA protocols by following the PPE standards, hazardous communication standards and respiratory standards. By being OSHA compliant, professionals in crime scene investigations will not only be safe but also avoid penalties associated with not adopting the standards. However, the nature of the job of crime scene investigators comes with the dangers related to the exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other diseases as part of working the scene of a crime. 

References 

Henwood, A. (2020). Coronavirus disinfection in histopathology. Journal of Histotechnology , 43 (2), 102-104. https://doi.org/10.1080/01478885.2020.1734718 

Herron, J., Hay-David, A., Gilliam, A., & Brennan, P. (2020). Personal protective equipment and Covid 19- a risk to healthcare staff? British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery , 58 (5), 500-502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjoms.2020.04.015 

Livingston, E., Desai, A., & Berkwits, M. (2020). Sourcing Personal Protective Equipment During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA , 323 (19), 1912. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.5317 

Mahmood, S., Crimbly, F., Khan, S., Choudry, E., & Mehwish, S. (2020). Strategies for Rational Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Among Healthcare Providers During the COVID-19 Crisis. Cureus . https://doi.org/10.7759 

Mao, D., Zhou, N., Zheng, D., Yue, J., Zhao, Q., & Luo, B. et al. (2020). Guide to forensic pathology practice for death cases related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Trial draft). Forensic Sciences Research , 5 (1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2020.1744400 

Mendis, N. (2017). Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Crime Scene Investigations - Novel Concept of Crime Scene Investigations. Forensic Research & Criminology International Journal , 4 (1). https://doi.org/10.15406/frcij.2017.04.00094 

Xue, Y., Lai, L., Liu, C., Niu, Y., & Zhao, J. (2020). Perspectives on the death investigation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forensic Science International: Synergy , 2 , 126-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.04.001