8127/frame/fm

 
—Keith Inman
 
A.
The Questions
Although this discussion is not intended to provide a step-by-step protocol
for processing a scene, it’s worth thinking about what we wish to accomplish
at any crime scene, and how we can at least not sabotage the end result before
we even collect a piece of evidence. To do that we need take a step backward
and consider the big picture. You should not be surprised at this point to
hear a reiteration of 
 
“What is the question?”
What is the ultimate purpose of a crime scene investigation? The kinds
of information we seek to solve the commission of a crime inevitably fall
under the umbrella of the six “W” questions:
Not all questions are relevant to all crimes, and the relevant question is deter-
mined by the law. The examination of physical evidence may be useful in
answering the first five questions. The question of “why” is not a question
science can answer; therefore it is irrelevant to the laboratory analysis. We leave
the establishment of motive to the criminologists, the profilers, and the courts.
 
B.
The Crime Scene
The crime scene is the apex of an inverted pyramid (Figure 8.2) that expands
to encompass the investigation of a crime, the recognition, analysis, and
interpretation of evidence, and finally a court trial. As such, it bears the full
weight of all that is to come. Any mistakes made in processing the crime
scene are impossible to rectify. In fact, they are only magnified at each
subsequent step. To make things worse, both errors of omission and com-
mission made in processing a crime scene can confound the final resolution.
Although we provide some general guidelines for processing a crime scene,
it would be counterproductive to distill the exercise in the form of a check
sheet or other hard-and-fast document. Forms, check sheets, and lists can
be useful to keep track of repetitive but necessary tasks, and to provide
1.
 
W
hat happened?
2.
 
W
hen did it happen?
3.
 
W
here did it happen?
4.
 
W
ho was involved?
5. Ho
 
w
was it done?
6.
 
W
hy was it done?
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Good Field Practice — Processing a Crime Scene
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templates for search and examination results. They should be used as a tool
to free the investigator to concentrate on the details of a particular crime
scene, not as a substitute for thinking. Each crime scene is unique, and must
be approached with the knowledge, education, and experience of the inves-
tigator. Thinking is allowed (even encouraged!).