In crime scene investigation, there are a number of preliminaries that are supposed to be implemented before the commencement of the investigation. As such, as the crime scene investigator in this particular case, I will ensure to establish a contact either between me and the relevant detective or officer who will be tasked with overseeing the crime scene or manage it (Geberth, 2016). This will be quite important in ensuring that there will be smooth information exchange through this investigation. I will also make sure I obtain the following important information:
Case number assigned by the agency to this investigation.
The detective’s and reporting officer’s identification numbers as well as names.
The location of the crime scene.
In the course of this investigation, I will require to collect additional information starting with the deceased’s name for identification purposes which will not be as easy since he had with him two different identification cards from different states (Geberth, 2016). I will be required to record the vehicles details as it is part of the crime scene.
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To preserve the crime scene from any contamination, with the aid of the forensics team and tasked officers, we will establish a clear path to enter and exit the scene. In addition, we will settle on the best communication methods between the involved parties on the required information for the investigation (Horswell, 2016). Prior to entering the scene, I will relay any important information regarding evidence collection and so that they are known to the officer tasked to oversee the crime scene. In the advent of the investigation, there might be additional or new information from the agency that is investigating the scene and may, therefore, cause changes in the scene (Touro, 2018). To ensure there is consistency in my investigation as the investigator, I will have to acquire the additional or new information to aid me in that. Since I will not be carrying out the investigation alone, the individuals involved with the investigation at the crime scene might provide comments that are contrary to my findings or that support the theory provided by the investigation agency and as such I will be tasked with advising the officer managing the crime scene (Horswell, 2016). This will ensure the smooth running of the investigation.
For the purpose of keeping a vivid record of the crime scene as the investigator, I will ensure that the scene is properly documented. To do so,
I will take detailed notes of my observations.
Ensure that photographs are taken.
Encourage that a video of the crime scene be taken.
Below are explanations of my list of to dos while documenting the crime scene.
I will be required to take notes on the observations I make on the crime scene that clearly captures those observations. While taking notes, I will ensure that I am very thorough and detail every process of this investigation because as a matter of fact, if for whatever reason the evidence collection is in some way interfered with, its authenticity and value will definitely be questioned. To ensure that the chain of custody is not broken, I will ensure that I chronologically take the notes as the events will be unfolding in the course of the investigation (Horswell, 2016). To specify the direction of any evidence that will be collected, I will be required to record accurate measurements. Dating the notes and when the case was reported will also be appropriate in the investigation.
As another documenting procedure, I will ensure that photographs of the crime scene are taken and that no evidence or contamination occurs before the photography team takes some photos. Detailing the photography, I will guide the team to ensure that they adhere to the rules of crime scene photography and that both close-up and overview shots are taken (De Gruitjer et al., 2016). In addition, I will ensure that I draw some sketches of the crime scene. This will be helpful as according to the family whose car was in the crime scene, they had not witnessed to the occurrence and of the event and neither were there any potential witnesses. To create a more vivid crime scene for the purpose of the investigation, I would also encourage a video of the crime scene that will aid the investigation a great deal (De Gruitjer et al., 2016).
It will be very helpful that as an investigator, formulate questions that will better aid the investigation when answered through the investigation.
Why would the deceased possess two states ID cards?
Why did the deceased have that amount of cash with him?
Which plane did the deceased jump out of?
Why did the deceased have in his possession such amount of cocaine?
What was the estimated time of death of the deceased?
What was the intended landing point of the deceased while jumping off the plane if indeed he jumped?
What was the make and serial number of the parachute?
In what denominations were the dollar notes that the deceased had?
What was the estimated age of the deceased?
What was the exact cause of death?
On which side of the body did the deceased fall?
According to the effects of the impact, what was the estimated speed of the fall?
Did the deceased have any contact information of any kind with him?
If there were any blood stains, how far had the blood scattered from the body?
How extensive was the crime scene if there was any additional information that proved or indicated evidence scattering during the fall?
Were there any finger prints that were not identical to those of the deceased?
What caused the reserve chute not to open?
Could this be a possible murder or a jump gone wrong?
Were there any signs of a struggle on the body of the deceased?
Were there any other marks that were not as a result of the fall that might have been inflicted on the deceased before the fall?
Has the scene and its surroundings been secured in order to protect evidence?
Which officers first responded to the crime scene and what was their first observation and was state of the crime scene at the time of their arrival the same?
Has there been a contamination of any kind of the crime scene?
Are there any other forms of evidence at the crime scene that would lead to a new discovery or additional information?
Are there any tree or branches along the falling line of the deceased that might have additional evidence from any trees surrounding the house?
To aid the investigation it will be important that the following which was very evident and clear as evidence be collected and secured;
A strand of hair from the deceased to obtain his DNA.
The parachute.
The load of cash that was present at the crime scene.
The 20 lbs. of cocaine.
The chute that had not opened.
Any other material that was not originally in the drive way that might have been carried the deceased.
In addition, biological fluids will be collected by the use of swabbing and scraping techniques so as not to contaminate it (De Gruitjer et al., 2016). In case of a dried stain, I would advise on the use of tape collection technique and sticking it on a finger backing card. After the collection of evidence and especially biological, I would advise the storage of that evidence under refrigerated conditions instead of the usual plastic bags as they risk contamination by moisture.
To easily try to track the traveling trends or real residence of the deceased, I would take the shoe serial numbers to trace where it was purchased. That way, there might be a lead throughout the investigation trying to figure out where the deceased has been for the past few days given that there is much that I know about him owing to the fact that he has not true identification card with him. Following the trail of the money, he had in possession using serial numbers would also be of much help in tracing places he has been or transaction that the bills have been through (Touro, 2018). It would help in assessing what deals he has been involved in and who with.
References
Geberth, V. J. (2016). Practical homicide investigation: Tactics, procedures, and forensic technique s. CRC Press.
Horswell, J. (2016). Crime scene investigation. In The Practice of Crime Scene Investigation (pp. 29-72). CRC Press.
De Gruijter, M., de Poot, C. J., & Elffers, H. (2016). The influence of new technologies on the visual attention of CSIs performing a crime scene investigation. Journal of forensic science s, 61(1), 43-51.
Touroo, R., & Fitch, A. (2018). Crime Scene Findings and the Identification, Collection, and Preservation of Evidence. In Veterinary Forensic Pathology , Volume 1 (pp. 9-25). Springer, Cham.
