Linear Search Patterns

Search patterns vary and depend on the type of scene, the victims and suspect’s actions as well as the location and size of the area. Having someone in command can eliminate or lessen the chances of evidence or effort being duplicated. While each scene and victim may need a different search pattern, each pattern searches the probable points of entry first and any exits possibly used by the criminal.
A line/strip search is one that is used by one or two investigators who walk in straight lines across the crime scene (Saferstein, 2009). They start at the outer lying areas and walk straight across to the other side of the scene. This is done over and over again until the scene has been fully searched. It is important that the boundaries
This is done with the same limitations as the line/strip search, without efficient boundaries evidence can be missed or end up outside the boundaries undiscovered. The spiral search pattern is one that the investigator moves in an inward spiral from the outside boundary to the center of the scene. The method is useful when the scene may contain a lot of evidence and the investigator can move from the least amount to the largest possible amount of evidence. However, sometimes the investigator may not be able to make a perfect spiral and evidence can be missed. The wheel/ray search is done by several investigators who move from the outside boundary to the inside boundary in a ray (like sunshine rays). They can also move from the inside to the outside boundary; however this method is not advised because evidence between the rays can be missed. A quadrant/zone pattern is done when the scene is divided into quadrants or zones and divided among the investigators to search each section. The sections can also be divided into smaller sections for a more thorough search and this method is most effective when the scene spans a large
Notes, photos and sketches are the three methods for crime scene documenting. The notes should be started with recording who contacted the investigator and what time they arrived. The notes should also reflect who is present at the scene, as well as any additional personnel contacted to come to the scene. The investigator must keep a precise record of anyone coming and going from the scene, as it should be closed off to anyone not authorized to enter. Recording tasks that each team member is assigned and the beginning and ending times for the processing of the scene is an important process in the notes. Prior to the scene being searched for evidence or photographed, the investigator should perform a walk through in which they should take notes on many different aspects of the crime scene. This process should be done in a bound notebook with blue or black ink and done during the time at the scene. Leaving the notes for later or committing them to memory leaves a chance for something to be forgotten. The investigator should also note any evidence that may have been disturbed by emergency medical units as well as investigative units. Before the evidence has been collected, the investigator must describe each piece of evidence in their notes. When the evidence is then collected each person collecting the evidence must also do the same as well as where it was found, who found it and how it was