Crime Scene
SHOOTING
Consider taking the following notes:
Case number
Date/Time
Address/Location
Initial case details
Victim/Suspect info
Assigned Officer/Detective
Was a person actually injured during the shooting?
Consider the following:
What is the appropriate PPE for this scene?
Did someone start a crime scene log?
Is the scene secure and safe?
Is consent or a search warrant needed?
Is there evidence located on the exterior/interior of the crime scene?
Overall/mid-range/close-up photographs of scene
Intersection/street location information
Point of entry/exit
Security cameras/systems
Overall/mid-range/close-up photographs of items of evidentiary value to include:
Bullet holes
Impacts/defects and related damage/debris
Firearms
Bullets, cartridges, casings
Shoe/tire impressions
Mark items of evidentiary value within the scene
Re-take overall/ mid-range/close-up photographs of scene and items of evidentiary value with photo markers in place
This step could happen at any time during the investigation. Process persons in the following manner:
Victims:
Documentation/photography of person, clothing, injuries
Suspects:
Documentation/photography of person, clothing, injuries
GSR Testing
Refer to this resource for additional information on how to proceed: Processing Persons.
Collect swabs of any apparent body fluids within the scene.
Refer to this resource for additional information on how to proceed: DNA Collection.
Documentation/photography of shoe/tire impressions.
Refer to these resources for additional information on how to proceed: Shoe Impressions and/or Tire Impressions
Conduct trajectory documentation and collect measurements.
Refer to this resource for additional information on how to proceed: Trajectory.
Collect items of evidentiary value from within the crime scene
Process areas within the crime scene using the appropriate latent print processing techniques to include:
Entry/exit points
Door handles/knobs
Light switches
Any other surfaces the suspect may have touched
Conduct a secondary walk through of the scene to ensure that all evidence was documented and collected and everything of evidentiary value was appropriately processed
REFERENCES
Dutelle, Aric (2020). An Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Fish, Jacqueline et al (2014). Crime Scene Investigation. Routledge.
Fisher, Barry & Fisher, David (2012). Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation. CRC Press.
Gardner, Ross & Krouskup, Donna (2018). Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation, Third Edition. CRC Press.
Garrison, Dean (2003). Practical Shooting Scene Investigation. Universal Publishers.
Haag, Michael & Haag, Lucien (2020). Shooting Incident Reconstruction. Academic Press.
Hueske, Edward (2006). Practical Analysis and Reconstruction of Shooting Incidents. CRC Press.
Maloney, Michael & Housman, Donald (2014). Crime Scene Investigation Procedural Guide. CRC Press.
Ramirez, Christine & Parish-Fisher, Casie (2011). Crime Scene Processing and Investigation. CRC Press.
Standard Guide for Crime Scene Photography. OSAC Video/Imaging Technology & Analysis Subcommittee (2020, June). Retrieved August 15, 2021 from OSAC Site.