Physical Evidence Paper: You Are On A Crime Scene Team

Physical Evidence Paper You are on a team of crime scene investigators

I need someone fast enough to handle this in 2 hrs. I am late kindly assist. Send message if you can - no extensions provided! Physical Evidence Paper You are on a team of crime scene investigators. Your team was instructed to collect the physical evidence at a crime scene. Arriving at the crime scene your team observes the following: Shell casings Three sets of footprints (two muddy sets and one bloody set) throughout the house Bloody fingerprints Tire tracks by the side entrance of the house Write a 1,050- to 2,100-word paper that includes the following: Identify the various types of physical evidence encountered at the crime scene. Describe the preservation and collection of the firearms evidence. Describe the legal issues regarding physical evidence encountered at the crime scene. Identify the significance of physical evidence.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The collection and analysis of physical evidence play a crucial role in criminal investigations, providing tangible proof that can link suspects to a crime scene or victim. In this paper, we will analyze the physical evidence encountered at a specific crime scene, discuss the preservation and collection methods for firearms evidence, explore the legal issues involved in handling physical evidence, and highlight the significance of physical evidence in the investigative process.

Types of Physical Evidence Encountered

At the crime scene described, several types of physical evidence were observed, each contributing uniquely to understanding the incident. These include shell casings, footprints, fingerprints, and tire tracks.

Shell Casings

Shell casings are residual evidence from firearms discharged during a crime. They can be linked to specific weapons through ballistic analysis, including markings unique to individual firearm breeches and firing pins (Saferstein, 2018). The located casings can help establish the discharge point, number of shots fired, and possibly the proximity of the suspect to the victim.

Footprints

The footprints, especially the muddy and bloody sets, provide valuable physical evidence. Footwear impressions can reveal the type, size, and brand of footwear, which may be linked to a suspect or witness (Reeder et al., 2020). The bloody footprints suggest proximity to a violent altercation, and patterns within the prints can indicate movement during or after the crime.

Fingerprints

The bloody fingerprints are critical biometric evidence. Fingerprint analysis can determine whether the prints belong to a suspect, victim, or an innocent bystander (Uludag & Gunaydin, 2018). Proper preservation ensures the prints remain unaltered before comparison and identification.

Tire Tracks

Tire tracks at the side entrance can provide vital information on the suspect vehicle, including make, model, and sometimes individual markings (Lennard & Parnell, 2019). The direction and depth of the tracks can also help reconstruct the suspect's movements.

Preservation and Collection of Firearms Evidence

Although firearms are not explicitly mentioned, suspect involvement with guns can be inferred from shell casings. Proper preservation involves several key steps:

  • Safety First: Ensure the firearm and shells are handled in a manner that prevents accidental discharge or contamination.
  • Documentation: Photograph the shell casings and firearm location before collection to record their original position.
  • Collection Techniques: Use tweezers or forceps to pick up shell casings to prevent fingerprint contamination. Place each casing in an individual, inert container such as a plastic pill bottle or evidence tube, with appropriate labels.
  • Packaging and Storage: Seal the containers to prevent tampering or contamination. Firearms, if recovered, should be secured separately in a manner preventing damage and preserving trace evidence, such as gunshot residue (GSR).
  • Chain of Custody: Maintain detailed records of who handled the evidence and when, to ensure integrity for legal proceedings.

The collection process involves careful adherence to protocols to preserve the evidence's integrity for subsequent forensic analysis, including ballistic comparisons and GSR testing.

Legal Issues Regarding Physical Evidence

Handling physical evidence is fraught with legal considerations that must be observed to ensure admissibility in court. These include:

  • Consent and Search Warrants: Evidence collection should be conducted under lawful authority. If the scene is under warrant, the collection process must adhere strictly to legal standards (Saferstein, 2018).
  • Chain of Custody: Maintaining an unbroken chain of custody documents every individual who handles the evidence, which safeguards against tampering and contamination allegations.
  • Proper Collection and Preservation: Evidence must be collected and preserved in a manner that prevents contamination or alteration, which could lead to exclusion in court (Reeder et al., 2020).
  • Legal Definitions: Understanding what constitutes physical evidence and its relevance is essential for proper legal procedures, including the concept of probative value versus prejudice (Uludag & Gunaydin, 2018).
  • Expert Testimony: Investigators must be prepared to testify regarding how evidence was collected, preserved, and analyzed, reinforcing its credibility and admissibility.

Legal challenges may also arise in ensuring that evidence accurately represents the scene without evidence contamination or mishandling.

Significance of Physical Evidence

Physical evidence is pivotal in criminal investigations for several reasons. First, it provides objective data that can corroborate or contradict testimonial accounts, increasing the reliability of the investigation (Lennard & Parnell, 2019). For example, shell casings and fingerprint evidence can uniquely identify a suspect, linking them to the scene.

Second, physical evidence can establish timelines and victim-survivor relationships, aiding in reconstructing events. Footprints and tire tracks contribute to understanding suspect movements, vehicle involvement, or entry and exit points.

Third, physical evidence often has higher probative value because it is less susceptible to memory lapses or deliberate deception, making it vital for establishing guilt or innocence (Saferstein, 2018). It also supports the conviction process by providing concrete proof that can withstand legal scrutiny.

Finally, physical evidence can lead to additional investigative avenues, such as suspect identification through DNA analysis or ballistic comparison, and can be instrumental in solving crimes that otherwise lack eyewitness testimony or confessions.

Conclusion

The examination of physical evidence at a crime scene involves systematic identification, careful preservation, and legal handling. Shell casings, footprints, fingerprints, and tire tracks each contribute uniquely to understanding the crime. Proper protocols for collecting and preserving firearms evidence ensure its integrity for forensic analysis, which is critical for establishing facts in court. Legal considerations, including chain of custody and lawful collection procedures, safeguard the admissibility of evidence. Ultimately, physical evidence remains the backbone of forensic investigations, providing concrete, objective data that can confirm or refute accounts, establish timelines, and identify perpetrators. As criminal investigations continue to evolve with advancements in forensic science, the role of meticulous evidence collection remains as vital as ever in the pursuit of justice.

References

  • Reeder, D. J., Chisum, L., & Houtz, D. (2020). Crime scene investigation and evidence collection (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
  • Saferstein, R. (2018). Forensic science: From the crime scene to the courtroom (4th ed.). Pearson.
  • Lennard, C., & Parnell, T. (2019). Forensic Principles and Practice. Academic Press.
  • Uludag, C., & Gunaydin, G. (2018). Forensic fingerprint examination: Advances and challenges. Forensic Science International, 292, 123-132.
  • Reed, H. L., & Tetrault, S. (2021). Crime Scene Management and Evidence Preservation. Elsevier.
  • Hough, M., & Rattner, J. (2017). The Role of Ballistics in Crime Scene Investigation. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 62(3), 785-792.
  • James, S. H., & Nordby, J. J. (2019). Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques. CRC Press.
  • Gaines, R. W., & Miller, L. (2019). Forensic Photography: Principles and Practice. CRC Press.
  • Bailey, V., & Wilhide, S. (2020). Legal Considerations in Evidence Collection. Journal of Law Enforcement, 10(4), 45-52.
  • Swanson, C., & Chisum, L. (2018). The Science of Gunshot Residue Analysis. Forensic Science Review, 30(1), 56-65.

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