Physical Evidence and Search Patterns, Essay Example

The search patterns used in crime scenes include the inward spiral search. This pattern starts at the perimeter and moves towards the center and used when there is one crime scene. The outward spiral pattern starts from the center and works outwards and applied where there is only one crime scene. The parallel pattern involves walking in a straight line from one edge of the scene of crime to the other end (Domnauer, 2007). The grid search involves two parallel searches performed after the first. There is also the zone search which involves dividing the crime scene into sections. The parallel, the grid and the zone search patterns applicable where the crime scene is wide.

Lee, Palmbach & Miller (2001) provide that documenting the crime scene must be in correspondence and consistent to the actual crime scene. The steps that ensure proper documentation should involve photographs of all relevant factors in the crime scene. Sketches of the crime scene should be consistent with the crime scene. It is also essential to take notes and make reports of the crime scene get proper documentation.

According to Domnauer (2007) the steps involved in photographing a crime scene are overall photos, medium photos and close up photographs. The overall photographs show the entire crime scene. There should be medium photographs to depict the evidence items at the crime scene and close up photos of the evidence items.

While making a sketch of a crime scene, some information should be included in the sketch. The information that is essential for inclusion of all crime scene sketches includes accurate measurements. Accurate measurements assist in the proper analysis of the crime scene (Lee et al, 2001, p.120). It should also have plotted evidence object to show their positions and also have a legend to show the particulars of the crime scene.

References

Domnauer, T. (2007). Crime scene investigation. Carson-Dellosa Publishing.

Lee, C. H., Palmbach, T. & Miller, M. T. (2001).  Henry Lee’s Crime Scene Handbook. Academic Press.