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SECTION: 702 CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

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SECTION: 702

TITLE:     CRIME SCENE INVESITGATION

EFFECTIVE DATE:  February 15, 2017

 

 

                                                                                                                                   

PURPOSE                                                                                                                                                               

This policy establishes guidelines for crime scene investigations.

 

POLICY

 

It shall be the policy of the Department to ensure that all deputies preserve and secure crime scenes to protect all traces of evidence involved in the crime. Evidence gathered at a crime scene may provide the only link between the crime and a suspect. Therefore, all must follow proper procedures for the processing and preservation of all crime scenes.

 

ORGANIZATION

 

Deputies assigned to a call for service shall process crime scenes on minor cases and shall secure crime scenes on major cases. Major cases are described as follows:

 

  1. Homicide

 

  1. Unattended Death / Suicide

 

  1. Rape

 

  1. Armed Robbery

 

  1. Major Burglaries

 

If the responding deputy discovers the crime scene to be that of a major case, he shall notify his shift supervisor who will determine if an investigator should be called to the scene. On all major crime scenes, the first deputy arriving on scene has the responsibility of preserving the scene.

 

Immediate control should be taken to avoid losing valuable evidence. If the shift supervisor chooses not to call an investigator to the scene, the assigned patrol deputy shall have the responsibility of processing the scene.

 

If an investigator has been called to scene for investigative purposes, the assigned deputy shall protect the crime scene to preserve evidence. Upon the arrival of the investigator, he shall be briefed of the investigation. All deputies shall work together to conduct a thorough investigation. Processing of a crime scene in a major case, may be assigned to any deputy involved. However, it is the responsibility of the assigned investigator to assure the scene has been properly processed.

 

Note: As law enforcement professionals, we shall work together and assist each other to assure the best service is provided to all victims of crime.

 

COMMAND OF SCENE

 

At the scene of any crime, accident or other law enforcement incident, the ranking deputy present shall assume command of the scene until such time that the shift commander or other ranking deputy of the Department relieves said deputy of his responsibilities. If two (2) deputies of the same rank are on scene, the deputy assigned to the incident shall assume command of the scene.

 

The deputy in command shall direct other deputies to locations and assignments as needed for the incident. The commanding deputy shall prohibit any person or deputies from entering the scene unless it is part of the investigation at hand. Access to a scene shall be recorded by an assigned deputy or the deputy in command to assure the control of the scene. A crime scene log shall be maintained until the scene is released.

 

The deputy first arriving on scene must assure that medical assistance has been provided to anyone who is injured and apprehension of all suspect(s) has been completed prior to securing the scene for investigative purposes. Good judgment must be used by all deputies.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMAND

 

  1. Identify all witnesses. Separate multiple witnesses and obtained a detailed statement from them while it is still fresh on their mind. Document all of the witnesses' information, including additional ways to contact them for further follow up. Do not release a witness from the scene of a major crime until all facts have been documented.

 

  1. If a suspect is in custody, utilize your witnesses / victim to identify the suspect if the incident has occurred within a reasonable time. (Within one (1) hour according to the 13th Judicial District Court).

 

  1. Assign a designated area for the media if you observe a need. Do not allow the media to interview anyone (deputies, witnesses, victims, etc.). This could hamper the investigation. If necessary, escort all victims and witnesses from the scene for their protection and to assure that they do not discuss the incident with others.

 

  1. Notification of the Sheriff or his designee shall be made immediately on all major crimes.

 

CUSTODY OF PRISONERS

 

When a person has been taken into custody at the scene of a major incident, proper handcuffing techniques shall be utilized. Unless there is a medical reason, all prisoners shall be handcuffed in the rear of his back.

 

Unless there is investigative purposes for having a prisoner remain on scene, the prisoner shall be immediately transported to a designated location as directed by the on scene commander.

 

If the scene is hostile and it is not safe for the suspect to remain on scene, regardless of investigative purposes, the prisoner will be immediately removed from the scene. This can also become a deputy safety issue if not followed.

 

The prisoner shall remain in custody of the deputy directed by the on scene commander until relinquished by the assigned investigator or the on scene commander. Prisoners shall be isolated from contact with anyone for investigative purposes.

 

Prisoners who must be transported by means of an ambulance shall be accompanied by a uniformed deputy. While at the hospital, only medical personnel shall be allowed to speak to the prisoner regarding his injury. No one shall be allowed to visit or speak with a prisoner during an on-going investigation.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

  1. Deputies that are not needed on scene shall be directed to return to service to handle other calls. Return to service does not mean to remain on scene, but to return to patrol duties.

 

  1. Radio communications should be limited to the necessary traffic to assure the security of an investigation. Names of suspects and / or locations should not be used over the radio.

 

  1. Crimes scene tape shall be utilized to protect scenes that are at risk of contamination by deputies or the public.

 

  1. Do not remove, secure or relocate anything from a crime scene until it has been photographed unless leaving the object in its location is unsafe. If an object must be removed, document and mark the location, position and direction it was facing to assist with the investigation.

 

  1. Remember chain of evidence.