Unit 3: Crime Scene Processing3.2 Crime Scene Team

CRIME SCENE TEAMA group of professional investigators, each trained in a variety of special disciplines.

Team MembersFirst Police Officer on the sceneMedics (if necessary) Investigator(s)Medical Examiner (if necessary)Photographer and/or Field Evidence TechnicianLab Experts

Crime Scene TeamSOCOMedics (if necessary)InvestigatorsMedical ExaminerPhotographerLab Experts

SOCO“Scene Of Crime Officer”

SOCOFirst officer on the scene

First to respond but also first to potentially damage or contaminate.

Cardinal Rule:“Eyes open, mouth shut,

hands in pockets”

FIRST OFFICERON THE SCENE

A Assess the crime scene and assist those hurt

D Detain the witness

A Arrest the perpetrator

P Protect the crime scene

T Take notes

medicsOnly required if an injured victim or witness are present

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Both EMTs and paramedics have the knowledge and skills to transport patients and provide them with emergency care.

Difference is the amount of education they receivescope of practice

Emergency Medical Technician (E.M.T.)120-150 hours of courseworkCannot break skin (no needles)

Paramedics1200-1800 hours of coursework

Medical examiner

THE MEDICAL EXAMINER AND THE CORONER

A medical examiner is a medical doctor, usually a pathologist and is appointed by the governing body of the area. About 400 certified forensic pathologists

A coroner is an elected official who

usually has no special medical training.

MEDICAL EXAMINER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Identify the deceased

Establish the time and date of death

Determine a medical cause of death (COD)

Determine the mechanism of death

Classify the manner of death

Notify the next of kin

Investigators & Field Technicians

INVESTIGATORS

“The wise forensic investigator will always remember that he must bring all of his life experiences and logic to find the truth. This means common sense, informed intuition, and the courage to see things as they are. Then he must speak honestly about what it adds up to.”

—Dr. Henry Lee Chief Emeritus for Scientific Services and the

former Commissioner of Public Safety for the state of Connecticut

Field TechniciansTrained in a single or multiple fields specializing in processing a crime scene.Almost always with a partner or team

Their actions can “make or break” a case.

Field Tech Specializations

Field technicians can specialize in:Evidence collectionNote takingPhotographyCrime scene sketches/measurements

Videography (relatively new field)

Lab ExpertsHighly specialized lab

Lab ExpertsIn rare or high profile cases a highly specialized lab expert might be called to the scene to process or collect evidence.