Page 7 - Forensic News Journal Oct Nov 2017

Physical Evidence

between the victim and command more than a tern to objects at the scene
spatter pattern. Another cursory search, including is a good place to start.
example is the overall searching multiple loca- Never discount simple

condition of the crime tions. Notes from these objects as murder weap-
F scene. An organized ver- decisions are invaluable in ons, especially when blunt

O sus disorganized crime court when explaining in- force trauma is suspected.
R scene may be the inves- vestigative roadmaps. No Although perpetrators

E tigator’s first clue to the trier of fact wants to make usually remove imple-
N perpetrator’s modus ope- a ruling based on some- ments or weapons used at
S randi (mode of operation). one’s “gut feelings.” the crime scene, it is not

I uncommon for them to be
C Utterances of “What was Another type of physi- found nearby.
this person thinking?” can cal evidence is transfer

M often be heard while in- evidence. It can be found Lastly, the value of physi-
E vestigating a crime scene. on floors, walls, furniture, cal evidence may include

T Getting inside the crimi- people, objects, and ceil- more than its tangible
H nal’s mind is impossible. ings. Rarely is the source properties. The location

O However, by compar- of the transfer found next of the evidence may illu-
D ing similar crime scenes to the evidence left be- minate patterns of suspect
O analogical evidence, one hind. However, quick movement or the location

L can provide insight into analytical thinking will from which a weapon was
O suspect-crime scene link- narrow your options. De- used. The functionality of

G ages. What-if scenarios pending on the type of certain items should also
Y may also stimulate dif- transfer, how likely is the be carefully documented.
ferent investigative per- source still at the crime For example, were lights

spectives, followed by scene? For example, on or off? Were some
retrieval of mental schema strangulation may occur windows open or closed,
(frameworks), enabling via manual strangulation locked or unlocked? Were

the creation of multiple or with an implement, recent messages left on a
crime scenarios. It is dur- such as a rope or a bungee smartphone? Gathering

ing these times that non- cord. Perhaps, the perpe- information about the vic-
traditional search methods trator used a seemingly tim’s activities and rou-
may be deployed. For innocuous item in hopes tines may provide clues to

example, the presence of of it not being linkable. establishing the time the
presumptive evidence may Comparing the wound pat- crime was committed. A

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