65342 Crime Scene Investigation

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Handbook description

This subject provides a sound teaching in crime scene investigation. It is designed to introduce the different principles and concepts peculiar to a crime scene. It covers the following areas: aims of the crime and related investigation; preservation, recording and processing of a crime scene; preservation, search and collection of evidence; on-site screening tests; scene reconstruction; examples of scenes (break-entry, homicide, sexual assault, traffic and other accidents, fire, explosion, disaster); common types of evidence; ad-hoc forms and software assisting crime science investigation. Lectures are complemented by tutorials/workshops involving guest speakers.

Subject objectives/outcomes

Students completing this subject should be able to systematically examine a crime scene and locate the relevant evidence.

Students should be able to understand and recognize the types of evidence available at a crime scene, assess the available evidence and collect evidence without contamination or destruction. Students should also be able to apply scientific principles and techniques seen in 65241 Principles of Forensic Science to the examination of physical evidence at the scene.

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

This subject provides the student with theoretical and practical material which introduces the student to the processes and theoretical underpinnings of forensic science. Upon completion of this subject students should be able to: critically evaluate various hypotheses and take a flexible approach to the investigation of a crime scene. Students are expected to be able to accurately document findings and conclusions in a forensic investigation, to collect evidence and to maintain crime scene notes to the requisite standard.

Teaching and learning strategies

• 13 x 2 h lectures
• 8 x 3 h practical sessions

Content

• Introduction.
• Transfer evidence.
• Pattern evidence.
• Overview of the crime scene.
• Protecting the scene.
• Intervention at the scene.
• Safety. Access control.
• Witness/suspect control.
• Preservation of evidence.
• Cadaver management.
• Documenting the crime scene.
• Note taking.
• Introduction to digital imaging.
• Avoiding distortions on photography.
• Crime scene photography.
• Crime scene sketching.
• Crime scene videos.
• Processing the crime scene.
• Details to be observed.
• Searching.
• Field tests and enhancement reagents.
• Search materials.
• Collection of evidence.
• Labelling.
• Chain of Custody.
• Types of evidence.
• Priority of evidence.
• Biological evidence.
• Trace evidence.
• Macro evidence.
• Fingerprints.
• Powdering.
• Fuming.
• Sprays for fingerprints.
• Photography.
• Gel lifters for fingerprints.
• Footwear impressions.
• Types of impressions.
• Visible 2-D impressions.
• Latent impressions.
• Visible 3-D impressions.

Laboratory work including:

• Documenting the scene
• Introduction to digital imaging, avoiding distortions
• Processing the scene; types of evidence
• 2-Dimensional footwear impressions
• 3-Dimensional footwear impressions
• Fingerprints
• Complex scenes; multiple evidence types

Minimum requirements

Any assessment task worth 40% or more requires the student to gain at least 40% of the mark for that task. If 40% is not reached, an X grade fail may be awarded for the subject, irrespective of an overall mark greater than 50.

Recommended texts

Criminalistics - An Introduction to Forensic Science, Saferstein R., 10th ed., Prentice-Hall, 2011, ISBN 0-13-504520-7.

Other resources

• The Practice of Crime Scene Investigation, Editor J.Horswell, CRC Press, 2004, ISBN 0-748-40609-3
• Forensic Science Handbook I, Saferstein R. (Ed.), 2nd ed, Prentice-Hall, 2001, ISBN 0-13-091058-9.
• Forensic Science Handbook II, Saferstein R. (Ed.), 2nd ed, Prentice-Hall, 2004, ISBN 978-0131124349.
• Forensic Science Handbook III, Saferstein R. (Ed.), 2nd ed, Prentice-Hall, 2009, ISBN 9780132207157.
• Interpreting Evidence - Evaluating Forensic Science in the Courtroom, Robertson R. & Vignaux G.A., John Wiley, 1995, ISBN 0471-96026-8.
• Footwear Impression Evidence, Bodziak W., Elsevier, 1990, ISBN 0-444-01542-6.
• Gunshot Wounds - Practical Aspects of Firearms, Ballistics, and ForensicTechniques, Di Maio V.J.M., CRC Press, 1985, ISBN 0-8493-9504-6.
• Fingerprints and Other Ridge Skin Impressions, Champod C., Lennard C.,Margot P., Stoilovic M., CRC Press, 2004, ISBN 0-415-27175-4.