Crime Scene Investigation Research Paper

Criminal investigators have a number of duties that extend far beyond what is so often presented on TV. The glory that surrounds detectives usually seems to showcase them in a way that makes them seem to be completely independent and higher ranked than standard police officers, however in reality detectives and street police often have similar duties. One duty that is unique to detectives, and more specifically, crime scene investigators, is the direction of crime scene investigation, including the capture of evidence. CSI agents are in charge of direction of a crime scene’s evidence processing, as well as ensuring that two conflicting concerns are fulfilled; that the crime scene is preserved in as close to original condition as possible, and
For example, sketch preparers are crucial in recording an accurate depiction of the crime scene so that evidence can continue to be uncovered beyond the period of initial discovery. If the crime scene were permanently gone following the conclusion of the clean up, the investigation could easily be halted for a lack of certainty over the crime scene; for this reason, the importance of sketch preparers cannot be undermined. Similar to the sketch preparer is the evidence recorder; this person is responsible for collecting evidence by placing numbered cards on each piece of evidence which would correlate with a log to show what each number represents (co.wise.tx.us). Both of these jobs are essential in recreating a crime scene that can be used for evidence beyond the initial incident, as long as they follow proper procedure in handling evidence (such as using gloves, creating a easily identifiable and correct key in the log, and ensuring that a sufficient number of photographs are taken before anything is physically moved) in order to recreate the situation in the most realistic way possible. These are only two of the many important figures and customs in a crime scene investigation, but are no less important in the investigation than the first detective to arrive on scene or the last to
Whether this is a murder, assault, sexual assault, or robbery, even the most skilled criminals are usually unable to clear the scene of all evidence. With this in mind, it is extremely important to have highly educated and experience crime scene investigators on the scene as soon as possible. The various jobs which compose this team work in harmony with each other if constructed properly, and it would be difficult to complete the job without contributions from each segment of the team. While there are outlines of how to complete a search and record evidence, discretion must be used from time to time with the understanding that not all crime scenes are the same, and the variable circumstances may cause a situation which does not lend itself well to being completed “by the book”. For this reason it is important to understand the basics of crime scene investigation while recognizing the importance of innovative and derivative thinking. Crimes are much more likely to be solved when a combination of discretion and rule-following are utilized, and a successful police unit and crime scene investigation team are likely to have the means to accomplish their goals; a responsibility which ultimately comes down to their goal of meeting the needs of their