INTRODUCTION
The Investigative Team
The Initial Responding Officer
Natural Boundary
Artificial Boundary
Start a Crime Scene Log
The Crime Scene Investigator
Goals of the Crime Scene Investigator
The Detective
The Analyst
The Prosecutor
The Defense Attorney
The Crime Scene Analyst/Reconstructionist
Exercises
Forensic Search and Seizure
Do We Have the Right to Be at the Scene?
The Fourth Amendment.
Legal Means to Process Scene
Consent
Search Incident to Arrest
Exigent Circumstances
Search Warrant
Search Warrant Returns
Court Order
Exceptions to the Warrant Requirements
Forensic Evidence
Exercises
DOCUMENTATION
Note-Taking Exercises
Purpose of Documentation
Note Taking
Task Lists/To-do Lists
Field Notes
Note Categories
Exercises
Photography Exercises
Uses of Photography
Photographic Terms
Photo Exercise
Cropping or Magnification Factor
Files
Exposure Compensation Button
Photo Exercise
Shooting Modes
Additional Equipment
Photo Exercise
Photo Exercise
Exposure
Light
Lighting Angles
Distances
Camera Distance
Light Distance
Light Source Closest to Camera
The Importance of Light
Using Direct Reflections
Photo Exercises
Additional Lighting Considerations
Photo Exercises
Photo Log
Flash Photography
Photo Exercises
Sketching Exercises
Uses of Sketches and Forensic Maps
Sketch Information
Reducing Clutter in Sketch
Admissibility of Sketches into Court
Types of Sketches
Measurement
Accuracy of Measuring Devices
Use of Landmarks
Fixed vs. Nonfixed Measurements
Measuring Methods
Creating a Sketch
Interval vs. Continual Measuring Method
Creating a Final Sketch
Making Your Rough Sketch Permanent
Three-Dimensional Sketches
Conclusion
Exercises
LOCATING EVIDENCE
Searching
Searches and Search Patterns
Intrusiveness of the Search
Special Considerations
Interior and Exterior Searches
Interior Searches
Exterior Searches
Vehicle Searches
Exercises
Alternate Light Sources
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Qualities of Light
Alternate Light Sources
Filters
Camera Filter vs. External Light Filter
Exercise
Photo Exercise
Presumptive Tests and Chemical Enhancements
Presumptive Tests
Catalytic Tests
Specificity vs. Sensitivity
Swab Testing Method
Pouch Testing Method
Types of Presumptive Tests
Exercises
Photo Exercise
Chemical Enhancements
Exercise
Photo Exercise
Exercise
Photo Exercise
Confirmatory Tests for Blood
Semen
A Note on Shelf Life
Latent Fingerprint Development
Introduction
Attempts to Avoid Detection
Fingerprint Characteristics
Fingerprint Classification Statistics
Fingerprint Detail
Fingerprint Makeup
A Point of Clarification
Uses of Fingerprints
Things to Consider before Fingerprinting
Age of Latent Fingerprint
Prepuberty Considerations
Crime Scene Investigator Skill Level
Additional Factors to Consider
Three Categories of Fingerprints
Latent Fingerprint
Patent or Visible Fingerprint
Plastic Fingerprint
Training Is Important
Experimentation at the Scene
Types of Brushes
Fiberglass and Animal-Hair Brushes
Magnetic Brushes
Proper Uses of Brushes
Fiberglass or Squirrel-Hair Brush
Magnetic Brush
Fiberglass/Squirrel-Hair Brushes vs. Magnetic Wands
Contaminated Surfaces
Powders
Aluminum Flake Powder
Granular Powder
Magnetic Powders
All Other Powders
Powder Studies
Colored vs. Black Powders
Lifting Latent Fingerprints
Clear Lifting Tape
Latent Fingerprint Backing Cards
Fingerprint Lifting Aids
Techniques for Applying Tape to Surfaces
Techniques for Attaching Tape to Backing Card
Extending a Backing Card
Using 2-in. Tape to Make Palm-Sized Tape
Trim Ends of Tape
Other Techniques for Lifting Latent Fingerprints
Incidental Marks on the Lifting Tape
Powder-Processing Methods
Additional Fingerprint Development Techniques
Visual Examination
Ultraviolet Examination
Fluorescence Examination
Chemical Processing
Cyanoacrylate Method
Dye Stains for Post-Cyanoacrylate Fuming
Additional Methods Not Discussed
Additional Chemical Processing Methods
Developing Latent Fingerprints on Paper Evidence
Ninhydrin Method
DFO
1,2-Indanedione Method
Zinc Chloride Method
Thermal Paper
Additional Methods Not Discussed
Developing Latent Fingerprints on Adhesive Side of Tape
Sticky-Side Powder Method
Wet Wop/Wet Powder Method
TapeGlo Method
Gentian Violet Method
Submitting Tape
Additional Methods Not Discussed
Developing Latent Fingerprints on Blood-Contaminated Evidence
Acid Violet 17 Method
Acid Yellow 7 Method
Amido Black (Methanol Based) Method
Amido Black (Water Based) Method
Leucocrystal Violet Method
Fuchsin Acid Method
Coomassie Blue Method
Crowle’s Double-Stain Method
DAB Method
ABTS Method
Developing Latent Fingerprints on Skin
Direct-Transfer Method
Cyanoacrylate
Developing Latent Fingerprints on Fire-Scene Evidence
Photography
Sketches
Notes
Evidence Collection
Fingerprint Flow Charts
References
Evidence Collection and Packaging
Swabbing Techniques
Liquid Samples
Trace Evidence Lifter
Paper Bindle or Pharmacists Fold
Exercise
Scrapping
Evidence Packaging
Butcher Paper
Properly Sealing Packages
Exercise 10.2
Chain of Custody
Evidence Numbering
TYPES OF EVIDENCE
Exercises for Physical Evidence
Evidence
Characteristics of Physical Evidence
Class Characteristics
Individual or Identification Characteristics
Locard’s Exchange Principle
Physical Evidence and Investigative Questions
Clothing Documentation
Cut Clothing
Torn Clothing
Exercises
Exercises for Serological Evidence
Types of Biological/Serological
Evidence
DNA Issues
Exercises
Exercises for Trace Evidence
Trace Evidence
Abrasives
Adhesives/Calk/Sealant
Bank Security Dyes
Building Materials
Chemicals of Unknown Origin
Cigarette and Tobacco
Explosives and Explosives Residue
Feathers
Fibers
Glass
Hair
Lubricants
Metals
Paint
Plants and Plant Materials
Polymers
Rope/String/ Twine
Safe Insulation
Soil
Tape
Wood and Pieces of Wood
Exercises
Exercises for Firearms and Toolmark Evidence
Firearms and Firearm Categories
Semi-Auto Magazines
Ammunition
Revolvers
Technique for Casting the Barrel with Forensic Sil or AccuTrans
Exercise
The Gunshot Residue (GSR) Kit
Toolmarks
Rubber Casting
Durocast™ Technique
Mikrosil™ Technique
Forensic Sil/AccuTrans Technique
Exercise
Photo Exercise
Exercises for Footwear Impression Evidence
Introduction
Usefulness of Footwear Impressions
Positive and Negative Impressions
Mirror Technique
Photographing the Impression
Impressions in Direct Sunlight May Be Shaded from the Direct Sunlight
Photographing the Cast, Electrostatic Lifter, or Gel Lifter
Stabilizing the Impression
Stabilizing with Hair Spray
Stabilizing/Visualizing with Gray Auto-Body Primer
Stabilizing/Visualizing with Red Snow Print Wax
Preparing the Casting Medium
Collection of Cast
Conventional Enhancements
Fingerprint Powders
Exercises
Tire Track Evidence
Wheelbase
Tire Position in a Turn
Photography
Exercises
Exercises for Digital Evidence
Exercise
Photo Exercise
Exercises for Injury Documentation
Injury Documentation
Open Wounds
Closed Wounds
Bruising
Mongolian Spots
Scarring
Burns
Bite Marks
Exercise
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Exercises for Shooting Scene Documentation
Ballistics
Proper Documentation of Shooting Scene
Bullet Defect Labeling
Proper Measurements to Document Bullet Defects
Locating an Exclusive Secondary Defect
Proper Rod Placement
Measurements of the Bullet Defect and Trajectory Rod
Azimuth or Horizontal Angle
Vertical Angle
Documenting Bullet Defects Using the Entrance and Exit Defects
Shotgun Patterns
Vehicle Edge Reference
Documenting Bullet Defects Using the Entrance and Exit Defects
Ricochets
Photography
Label Each Bullet Defect
Photographing Horizontal and Vertical Measurements
Bullet Defects in Glass
Photographing Bullet Defects as a Measuring Tool
Exercises
Exercises for Bloodstain Documentation
Proper Documentation of Bloodstains
Bloodstain Terminology
Additional Terms to Be Aware Of
Photo Documentation Technique for Bloodstains
Initial Overall, Midrange, and Close-Up Photographs
Label Individual Spatter Patterns
Label Individual Stains within Each Spatter Pattern
Overall Photographs, Second Set
Examination-Quality
Photographs
Exercises
Exercises for Identifying Clandestine Graves and Scattered Human Remains
Forensic Botany
Forensic Entomology
Postmortem Interval (PMI)
Geology
Hydrogeology
Soil Compaction
Subsidence
Soil Moisture
Stratigraphic Discontinuities
Superposition
Using Soil-Coring Tool/Soil Probe
Search for the Grave
Initial Search
Documenting the Scene
Exercises
Fire Scenes
The Fire
Fire Progression Stages
Fire Investigation Terminology
Burn Patterns and Indicators
Arson Accelerants
Documenting a Fire Scene
Exercises
Exercise
Photo Exercise
Exercises for Questioned Document Evidence
Importance of Questioned Document Examinations
Exercises
PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Processing Methodology Exercises
Mock Crime Scene
Exercises
Report-Writing
Exercises
Exercise
References
Photography References
Presumptive Tests and Chemical Enhancements References
Latent Fingerprint Development References
Evidence Collection and Packaging References
Firearms and Toolmark Evidence References
Footwear and Tire Impression Evidence References
Shooting Scene Documentation References
Bloodstain Documentation References
Index
Biography
Everett Baxter Jr.
