Crime Scenes And How They Relate To The

Crime Scenes And How They Relate
To The Medical Field
Evidence and control of a crime scene
1
I don’t deal with crime scenes, I am in
the Medical field.
• Every time you deal with a person,
it could become a crime scene.
2
Instructor
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Retired Lieutenant from the Carmel Police Department
Worked 32 years in law enforcement, all of it on the street. Three
college degrees, Vietnam Vet.
Three years as a criminal investigator with the U.S. Army. Retired
Army Officer
18years as a detective with the Carmel Police Department.
Written three law enforcement manuals.
Appeared on National TV
Trained FBI profiler
Trained in Facs
Lectured all over the US for PATC
•
3
Police and Medical jobs are a lot alike
• We try and find out
what is wrong, then
we try to fix it.
• We have to
investigate:
What happened before,
during and after.
•
That’s the easy
part.
4
WHEREVER HE STEPS, WHATEVER HE TOUCHES, WHATEVER
HE LEAVES, EVEN UNCONSCIOUSLY, WILL SERVE AS SILENT
WITNESS AGAINST HIM, NOT ONLY HIS FINGERPRINTS OR HIS
FOOTPRINTS, BUT HIS HAIR, THE FIBERS FROM HIS CLOTHES,
THE GLASS HE BREAKS, THE TOOL MARK HE LEAVES, THE
PAINT HE SCRATCHES, THE BLOOD OR SEMEN HE DEPOSITS
OR COLLECTS, ALL BEAR SILENT WITNESS AGAINST HIM. THIS
IS EVIDENCE THAT DOES NOT FORGET. IT IS NOT CONFUSED
BY THE EXCITEMENT OF THE MOMENT. IT IS NOT ABSENT
BECAUSE HUMAN WITNESSES ARE. IT IS FACTUAL EVIDENCE.
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE CANNOT BE WRONG, IT CANNOT PERJURE
ITSELF, IT CANNOT BE WHOLLY ABSENT. ONLY ITS INTERPRETATION CAN ERR. ONLY HUMAN FAILURE TO FIND IT, STUDY AND
UNDERSTAND IT, CAN DIMINISH ITS VALUE.
5
To a defense lawyer, the scientific evidence in court
is the hardest evidence to contest in court, whether
it’s a blood test in a DUI or a ballistic test in a murder
6
case. They are at the mercy of a piece of paper.
7
Trucker tape
8
What is a successful
investigation?
• Crime scene processed and
managed properly.
• Witnesses interviewed and evidence
collected.
• The suspect was effectively
interrogated.
• Case report was written clearly and
in detail.
• Testify to your actions in a court of
law.
9
10
Tip
• It is not what you think, know, or
suspect. In the end, it’s what you can
prove in court.
11
The Golden Rule of Physical
Evidence
• Once an object has been
touched or moved, it can
never be restored to its
original position or
condition.
13
• What you
do is what
will be on
trial.
14
When dealing with people, there are always
two crime scenes.
The location
The body, dead or
Alive.
15
Crime Scene
• It doesn’t matter if it’s in the street or in
a hospital room.
• Everything and everybody is evidence.
• Evidence is drilled into police officers
during training and though out their
careers.
16
Cont:
• Everything on the scene is under
investigation.
• Every piece tells a little part of a story.
• Everything matters.
17
Police officers are
trained to protect
evidence.
If it’s not protected
it can’t be used in
court.
18
What two questions can
a crime scene answer?
• What happened?
• Who did it?
t
19
What is the first thing you do on a crime scene?
Protect yourself!
20
•
•
•
•
•
2. Medical aid
3. Secure the scene
You are always number 1
If you aren’t protected you can’t do your job.
You do not want to become part of the crime
scene.
21
Everything is Evidence
• Even what you see, do, touch, feel,
look at, when you do it, how you do
it, even what you say.
• Everything counts and has value at
the scene
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
It’s important to crime scenes because of
the way it moves and clots
• Unlike water, blood is a
living, breathing liquid.
• Blood can leave your
body in many ways.
• It may drip, ooze, flow,
gush, or spurt.
• Each movement leaves a
recognizable bloodstain
or spatter.
36
When it’s stepped on or
changed in anyway, it tells
a different story.
37
The height & direction which a drop of blood can be
determined:
6 to 12 inches
12 to 60 inches
2 to 3 yards
38
39
40
41
42
Trucker tape
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
Who is the most
likely suspect in
this case?
53
Posing
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
• He had cut his left wrist
numerous times. The
pattern of the blood
showed that he had
walked in a
counterclockwise
direction until he fell.
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
Sometimes you
have to look close to
see changes
70
Autopsy
Determine the depth
and directions of each
wound.
Determine which
wounds were fatal.
Check all wounds for
multiple thrust.
71
72
There’s Always a Reason Someone
is Dead
•
•
•
•
•
Death cases can be classified as:
Accident
Suicide
Homicide
Natural
73
74
75
76
•If it’s not in the report,
medical or police, it
didn’t happen.
77
Check and re-check your spelling
78
79
80
In a major case, make sure everyone knows how the court system
works
81
82
Appearance
• People we meet form up
to 90% of their opinion
about us within the first
four minutes.
• Your appearance affects
how others will respond
to you and treat you.
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
You are judged on your appearance?
• Clothing transmits
messages about the
wearer’s personality,
attitudes, social status,
behavior and group
allegiance.
99
100
Depositions
• What are they good for?
• They are fishing
expeditions.
• They want you to say
something that’s not in
your report, or say
something different than
what’s in your report.
• Many times, the attorney
will open with a
complimentary statement
about your extensive
training, qualifications,
education or sterling
work career in an
attempt to get you to
drop your guard.
101
DON’T FALL FOR IT!
• He or she has no reason to compliment you.
• Remain on guard!
• There is always a reason for each and every
question.
• Listen to the question, wait, gather your thoughts
and answer from your report.
102
Surviving the witness stand
•
•
•
•
Know your case well
Establish your credentials
Never answer more than one question at a time.
Listen to the entire question and understand
exactly what the lawyer is asking.
• Before answering, put your thoughts together.
• Answer only what is asked.
• Pay attention to your eye contact and body
language
103
This is important. Let’s recap.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Review all the reports before you testify.
If possible, meet with your lawyer before going to court.
Dress accordingly for court.
Listen to every question fully before you answer.
Never volunteer answers.
If you don’t fully understand the question, tell the lawyer you
don’t understand the question.
• Don’t be rushed.
• Always tell the truth, no matter what.
104
Testifying cont.•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Voice control
Stay in control of your emotions
Don’t make it personal
Treat each lawyer the same
Do the 1,2,3 count before answering questions
Answer one question at a time.
Have questions re-worded if you don’t like the way it’s
asked.
• You don’t want any surprises!
105
106
107