Crime Scene Investigation

• A crime scene is a location linked with the commission of a crime. This can include the site where a crime was committed or a site where activities related to the crime took place, such as a dump site for a murder weapon or the home of a suspect.
• These places contain important physical evidence which must be collected to investigate the crime, usually by forensic investigators who specialize in the management of crime scenes.
• It is noted that the crime scene is not limited to a single place but may extend to a wider area depending on the nature of the crime committed. For example, in a murder case where murder is done at one place and the body is disposed on another place. In this case, we have two crime scenes that give information about the crime.

Based on Evidence found on the crime scene:

Primary Crime Scene

• Where the crime actually took place, or where more usable pieces of evidence were found is known as the primary crime scene. For example, A murder scene, theft, assault, etc.

secondary crime scene

• Which is some or another way related to the crime but is not a place where the actual crime is committed is known as a secondary crime scene. It may provide a strong link between the suspect and the victim.

For example, in a murder case where murder is done at one place and the body is dumped in a different place this case, crime scene can provide more information in terms of evidence like cloth, fiber, hair, weapon, etc. of the suspect. This will help to trace the primary crime scene.

Based on the geographical location of the crime scene:

1-Outdoor crime scene

• The outdoor crime scene is the most vulnerable to loss, contamination, and deleterious change of physical evidence in a relatively short period of time. Individuals with access to the scene can potentially alter, destroy or contaminate evidence.

2-Indoor crime scene

• Evidence at an indoor scene is generally less susceptible to loss, contamination, and deleterious change. Indoor crime scenes are usually easier to secure and protect, and securing a scene can be as simple as closing a door.

3-Mobile/conveyance crime scene.

• Conveyance is defined as “something that serves as a means of transportation.” Types of crimes committed in conveyance include, but are not limited to.
• Vehicle Burglary
• Grand Theft
• Car Jacking
• Sexual Battery
• Homicide

Role of investigator in crime scene

A crime scene investigator approaches a crime scene scientific perspective more often than a low enforcement one. They are responsible for gathering, preserving, and analyzing the evidence at the scene of a crime. Crime scene investigator’s duties include, but are not limited to:

• Creating a secure perimeter around the scene.
• Thoroughly photographing the scene.
• Taking clear and relevant pictures that are easily compared to some kind of scale.
• Collecting DNA evidence like blood, saliva, hair, etc.
• Labeling each piece of evidence correctly.
• Transporting evidence
• Following the evidence through the chain of custody
• Documenting everything according to protocol.

Forensic Document Examination:

In forensic science, questioned document examination is the examination of documents potentially disputed in a court of law. Its primary purpose is to provide evidence about a suspicious or questionable document using scientific processes and methods. Evidence might include alterations, obliteration, the chain of possession, damage to the document, forgery, origin, authenticity, or other questions that come up when a document is challenged in court.

A Simplified Guide to Forensic Document Examination Evidence That May Be Examined-

Questioned material may consist of identification cards, contracts, wills, titles and deeds, seals, stamps, bank checks, handwritten correspondence, machine-generated documents (such as those from photocopiers, fax machines, and printers), currency, and electronic documents. In some circumstances, graffiti and digital signatures may be examined; however, the client should be aware that the examination of these types of evidence can be problematic.

Forensic Document Expert, Forensic Handwriting Analyst, Forensic Document Examiner, Handwriting Expert:

• The analysis should be performed by a qualified forensic document examiner
• Handwriting analyst, who must be trained, certified, court acceptable, and experienced with the latest forensic examination techniques.

Handwriting analysis:

• Handwriting examination is the comparison of known specimens to handwriting evidence found on questioned or disputed documents.
• Good sources of writing specimens may include items such as canceled checks, letters, diaries, suicide notes, signed receipts, medical records, real estate contracts, tax records, or other signed legal documents.
• Detecting alterations, obliterations, erasures, and page substitutions.
• Determining individual dye components.
• Typewritten and machine-printed documents.

Signature analysis:

• The signature of a person is unique to him/her just like fingerprints and DNA. Technically the signature is a part of one’s unique handwriting
• In forensics signature verification test is used to find out if the signature on a document is forged by someone.
• Some examples of signatures are bank checks, agreements, contracts, and other documents. Copying someone’s signature and using it wrongly.

Services provided by our organization:

1. Examinations of signatures like wills, agreements, and notarized documents.
2. Letter, contract, etc.
3. Comparison between the genuine and disputed signature.

Forgery detection:

• Forgery detection includes examination, authentication, and verification.
• Detection alterations, obliteration, and erasure in typewritten, machine-printed documents, passports, wills, bank checks etc.
• Seals and stamp impression― Questioned documents bearing rubber stamp impressions, embossed seals, watermarks, or other mechanically printed marks may be submitted for examination. When possible, it is best to provide the examiner with any suspected devices associated with the questioned document that may have been involved in its preparation. This includes writing instrument(s), papers, or other substrates, rubber stamp(s), sealing devices (such as notary seals), printing devices or other mechanisms.