Name ___________________________________________ Date ____________

What did they do wrong?

Directions: Read the following crime scene scenarios. On the lines below the crime scene, write

down the mistake or mistakes that were made and what the correct procedure would be.

CASE 1

A dead body and gun were found in a small room. There were 3 witnesses to the crime that were in

the house at the time. After the scene is secured by the first responder, the police bring the 3

witnesses outside and sit them all down to discuss what happened.

Mistake: _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Correct way: ______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

CASE 2

A break in occurred at a local bank. There were no witnesses. The sketch artist comes in after the

crime scene was secured. There were many pieces of evidence including a footprint, glass, and torn

clothing. The artist draws the approximate location of all the items and hands it to the police for

court.

Mistake: _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Correct way: ______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

CASE 3

Police get a call about a robbery in an abandoned building. When they get there, there are many

people observing and walking around. Police go in and start photographing and sketching.

Mistake: _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Correct way: ______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

CASE 4

A man was found beaten and shot in a local park. Witnesses claim there was a Durango found

fleeing the scene. There was a lot of evidence including tire tracks, blood, footprints, the murder

weapon, and bullet casings. Photographers take ten pictures of the body at all different angles and

one picture of each of the pieces of evidence.

Mistake: _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Correct way: ______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

CASE 5

Police were summoned when bullets were sounded in a small apartment on 3rd street. They

immediately secured the crime scene and separated the witnesses. There were multiple bullet

casings on the ground. The police walked into the crime scene, put the bullets into a plastic bag,

and handed them to the Forensic specialist who arrived 15 minutes later.

Mistake: _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Correct way: ______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

CASE 6

A fire occurred at a farmer’s market in downtown New York City. Police arrived on the scene and

secured it. Once the fire had calmed down they discovered a gas can. There were also muddy tire

tracks 200 feet from the scene. Police want to follow the direction of the tracks to find a suspect.

They put the gas can in the car so that no one can tamper with it.

Mistake: _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Correct way: ______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________