What Are the Duties of a Crime Scene Investigator?
Hollywood makes crime scene investigation seem so exciting, and for the people born to do that sort of work, it is. However, the bulk of a crime scene investigator's job is very detailed and structured. Everything a crime scene investigator does or finds must be able to hold up during testimony as even the tiniest mistake can result in a criminal going free.
Other People Are Reading
-
Preserve the Crime Scene
-
A crime scene investigator has to accurately document even the tiniest of details of a crime scene in order to conduct a thorough investigation. Moving something may seem insignificant but end up causing a lot of trouble in the investigation. The number one rule of crime scene preservation is "Don't touch anything."
Isolate the Witness
-
After securing the scene, the crime scene investigator isolates any witnesses to the crime or people who discovered the crime. If kept together, the witnesses often discuss the crime and agree on details that are not necessarily factual. It is important to get independent statements and opinions from anyone involved in a crime scene.
-
Document the Scene
-
The crime scene investigator walks the crime scene and takes photos, concentrating especially on the body and blood spatter if they are present. In a death case, the investigator outlines the corpse with chalk or rope depending on whether the crime scene is indoors or outdoors. The investigator takes measurements and creates rough sketches of the crime scene. He takes copious notes about everything he sees.
Collect Evidence
-
Once the scene is fully documented, the investigator can collect evidence. She lifts fingerprints where possible, collects any DNA evidence that is present and bags any objects that might be used for the investigation such as a murder weapon or items that might help identify the criminal. If possible, the investigator seals the crime scene after collecting evidence in case she needs to return.
Process Evidence
-
The investigator ensures evidence is processed by the appropriate personnel. Crime scene investigators often maintain fingerprint databases and perform fingerprint matches. When all the evidence has been processed, he assists homicide detectives in forming theories about the crime. When an arrest is made, crime scene investigators usually testify during trial.
-
References
- Photo Credit
