Definition of Crime Scene Investigation

A lot of things will happen during a crime scene investigation, but primarily it is about collecting physical evidence. The process of what transpires at a crime scene is very complex. It involves a number of different searches and collections that help to solve a crime.

Significance

The crime scene is often the only place that holds the answers to the events that surround a crime. The crime scene must be searched meticulously and every observation must be documented.

Collection of Evidence

Quite a bit of photography and crime scene sketching takes place at the crime scene. Physical evidence is collected for identification such as hairs, fibers, fingerprints and DNA.

Prevention/Solution

Crime scene procedures are very strict. This is so that there is no chance of contaminating the area surrounding the scene. This is why the area is sealed off with the yellow "crime scene" tape.

Goals

No crime scene is the same, but the goal of collecting any evidence that might reveal what happened and who did it is always the same. Witnesses are questioned and this all has to be accomplished as soon as possible.

Expert Insight

The professionals who are sent to a crime scene are trained in ways that the average person would not consider. Nothing is touched without gloves and places are examined that may have been overlooked such as the mouthpiece of a phone or a fiber of hair that is entwined in a garment.

Lab

Everything that is harvested from the crime scene is protected and taken to the forensics lab for further analysis. All of the evidence will go through a series of tests that will lead investigators closer to solving the crime.