Deceive, Inveigle, Obfuscate

Almost Everyone with no exception!

Every single investigation do have to have a plan of action: the given testimonies may vary, people lie, change the story, make understatements. The plan of action at the crime scene is simple and includes:

• careful examination;
• note taking;
• sketching;
• photography;
• collection of physical evidence;
• recording everything that happens.

The plan of cation has got written departmental form. It shows the clear procedures. There are certain ground rules that must be obeyed to fulfill a specific goal. For some it appears very tedious, for others time-taking, yet, indispensable – note-taking which is a fundamental tool from start to finish. It is not an irrelevant step, namely, it forces investigators to make observations, to keep a detailed record of everything observed and accomplished. Any record that may be perceived as irrelevant, eventually, may be crucial for ongoing investigation. The points how a proper note taking should look like follow:

1. description of events as they unfold in chronological order;
2. detailed, step-by-step description of all actions;
3. complete and thorough description of events, which is written in clear writing.

It has to be clear – sloppy writing may lead to misinterpretation of events. Literally everything is written; for example the absence of bloodstains, light, items found or missing.

The investigative officer is entirely responsible for the whole crime scene, therefore, she or he gathers as much information as possible. The information given by first officers is crucial. Protecting the crime scene is an ongoing concern. Any members of victim's family, the public, the press should be kept away from the crime scene.

Tape recording is used at daily basis, this easy means of taking the verbal statements can be easily transcribed later. While recording any unnecessary comments should be avoided, though, for further listening it might sound and appear highly inappropriate and embarrassing for law-enforcement departments and members.

The note-taking should contain the following information:

• date & time;
• type of crime;
• location of the crime scene;
• description of the area;
• description of the crime scene;
• name of the person who requested crime scene investigation;
• names of all officers, witnesses, investigators, specialized personnel at the crime scene;
• name of the person who conducted the crime scene search;
• weather and lighting conditions;
• location of any evidence found, the names of those who collected it;
• description of the location including nearby houses, streets, community;
• description of plants and soil;
• the date and time the whole investigation got stated.

The list is used as a guide a meticulous one. It is a key for a good work. The crime search must be very thorough and consists of:

1. surveying the crime scene;
2. photographing and sketching the crime scene;
3. mapping and measuring the crime scene;
4. recording and documenting the location of physical evidence at the crime scene;
5. searching for fingerprints and other physical evidence.

The simple and general rules lead the investigation. The most fleeting, fragile evidence should be collected as first. The photographs and sketches show the initial position before the evidence was taken away. Mostly the investigators are concentrated on the pieces of evidence that were left on the ground. What ever happens, please, do not forget to look up! The evidence may be on the ceiling, benches, trees – up there!

The vehicles at the crime scene are also searched and are perceived as a very important evidence; the nature of crime specifies the means and tools. The examination and the search of the vehicle begins from the exterior of it. In case of hit and run accident the broken bumper, grill, windshield and undercarriage are checked in specialized crime laboratory. In case of rape the blood, hair, torn pieces of clothing and fibers are collected. All broken parts of the vehicle are documented. The interior of the vehicle is searched for fingerprints.

Crime scene photography is extremely important, it records the true crime scene at the time it was reported, before and after the all procedures were completed. It gives the double insight of how the crime has been committed. So – called '' point & shoot'' cameras are very useful in variety of instances. They are inexpensive and give accurate picture. The number of photographs varies; it depends on the following aspects:

1. location – the exterior of the whereabouts should be shot;
2. witness photography – it depicts the scene as observed by a witness; these photographs are designed to tell a story, to accomplish the task.
3. Close-up photographs are the two types that are taken
   - one showing the item as it actually appears;
   - a photography of the same item with ruler included;
4. evidence photographs include all items of evidence prior their removal.

The flash photos are recommended when the light conditions are low, it helps to obtain the sharp image of the evidence. All the negatives from the crime scene are retained.

Videotaping of the crime scene is made by light, portable, low-light video cameras. The recording begins outside the building , taking into consideration the overall location. Usually there are two people involved, one videotapes outdoors and the other indoors.

The whole mentioned tools are classified as collection of physical evidence. The pieces of it are taken to the crime laboratory, every single item is packed and labelled, protected from possible damage. The thorough inventory is made. It contains:

• objects with fingerprints;
• tool marks an object is protected from contamination and moisture;
• clothing containing dry biological stains such as blood, semen, saliva are wrapped separately;
• strands of hair or garments should not be allowed to come in contact with other garments that may contain hair;
• firearms should be rigidly fixed inside a container without further wrapping;
• cartridges and bullets are wrapped separately;
• stomach contents and organs for toxicological examination should be placed in tightly sealed glass jars and packed in cushioning material. We must remember that proper packaging of evidence cannot be overemphasized.

While examining the crime scene We do imagine what might have happened. How the victim might have fought for his or her life. This examination helps Us to get closer to the murderer's mind. Willingly or nor the law-enforcement officers make some kind of connection; all of the sudden this dangerous approach tests Our mental stability and flexibility. We decide how strong this bound becomes bearing in mind that everyone try to deceive, inveigle, obfuscate. 

Bibliography:

1. Criminal Investigations – Crime Scene Investigation.2000
2. Forensic Science.2006
3. Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation.2012
4. Forensics Pathology.2001
5. Pathology.2005   

Acknowledgements: 

The Police Department; 

https://www.politie.nl/mijnbuurt/politiebureaus/05/burgwallen.html and a Chief Inspector – Mr. Erik Akerboom                                               ©