Key Steps for First Responders at Crime Scenes

1 Midterm: Key Factors of a First Responder Kortney Schaum Saint Leo University CRJ 548: Crime Scene Investigation Dr. Jade Pumphrey 04/09/2023

2 Abstract In the case of a crime scene, patrol officers are usually the ones responsible for identifying and protecting evidence (Gardner & Krouskup, 2019). Early on in a criminal investigation, any mistake or omission made by first responders can have a negative impact on the investigation, especially during prosecution (Gardner & Krouskup, 2019). As soon as they arrive, their first priority may be to assist the victims. However, they need to make sure that there are no suspects or threats. The patrol officer may be able to conduct an interview with the victim in the ambulance if the victim is critically wounded (Police Magazine, 2005). In addition, the victim's body is ensured chain of custody because it is one of the most important components of a crime scene (Police Magazine, 2005). A briefing is necessary to ensure everyone is aware of what is happening. As well as those key factors, there are several other steps a first responder must keep in mind. To obtain all feedback from the scene, it is essential that each of these patrol officers attends a great deal of crime scene training. Keywords : Crime scene, first responder, evidence, patrol officers

3 Midterm: Key Factors of a First Responder Patrol officers play an important role in the criminal investigation of a crime scene. In many crime scenes, patrol officers are usually the first ones to arrive at the scene, so the way they handle everything once they arrive is the most important (Gardner & Krouskup, 2019). Whenever police officers arrive at a crime scene, they have the greatest influence over identifying and preserving evidence. First responders need to be vigilant because any mistake or omission they make early on can have a negative impact on a criminal investigation, especially during the prosecution process (Gardner & Krouskup, 2019). Importance Steps as First Responder As a first responder, there are many important steps that the first responder needs to remember. When pulling up to a scene, a first responder never knows what they are getting into. It is important to keep an accurate and detailed record of every action and observation the first responder makes arriving at the scene. Upon arrival, they might consider the victims as their first priority, but they must ensure there are no suspects or threats when arriving (Gardner & Krouskup, 2019). This is important because if they are too busy aiding a victim, they might get injured and then be no help to the victim or the scene (Police Magazine, 2005). Also, if there is a victim on the loose or on the scene, they might become a threat to all the responding officers and the EMS about to tend to the victims. The next step would after they find that the scene is clear of suspects would be to tend to any victims and call for EMS (Police Magazine, 2005). With EMS, though, it is important to note that not every firefighter and EMS personnel needs to step foot at the crime scene. The more people on the scene, the more likely evidence will get contaminated (Police Magazine, 2005). If the victim is critically wounded, it might be important to assign a patrol officer to ride in the ambulance with the victim, as this might be the only

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4 chance to attempt an interview (Gardner & Krouskup, 2019). It also ensures a chain of custody with the victim’s body because they are the most critical to a crime scene (Police Magazine, 2005). Trace and blood evidence need to be collected as soon as possible (Police Magazine, 2005). Once the victims are all tended to, their next priority is to secure the crime scene. This entails using crime scene tape to block off the whole premises and only allowing authorized personnel in and out of the scene. This allows for the minimization of contamination of all important evidence. Also, make sure that there is a designated area for eating, drinking, or smoking at the scene. This area needs to be as far away as possible so it does not contaminate any evidence. It is important to keep a logbook of the times of everyone entering and leaving the crime scene (Police Magazine, 2005). This is important for the courtroom to know who entered and if evidence ever got contaminated. Another crucial step when blocking off the scene is to establish one route in and out of the scene for all personnel (Police Magazine, 2005). This pathway allows for evidence not to get contaminated, and it also lets everyone know where they need to walk. Once everything is blocked off and the scene is secure, it is important to meet and brief the detective supervisor and other personnel. It is important to brief everyone so they know what is happening. The next important thing is to take initial photographs of the victims as soon as possible. These photographs will show the victims in their original state before any forensics or other personnel start their steps (Police Magazine, 2005). The victim is the most important evidence at any crime scene. It is also important to meet with crime scene investigators to discuss the scene and evidence. Everything that occurs at the scene is crucial, so it is important to take all precautions and steps when arriving. Conclusion

5 Crime scenes are important as they are the key to finding what occurred and putting the victims and suspects at the crime scene (Police Magazine, 2005). There are a lot of important key factors that need to be discussed, which is what was talked about above. But along with those key factors, there are other important steps that a first responder needs to keep in their mind. It is important that each one of these patrol officers attend as much crime scene training as possible to seek all feedback from everyone at the scene. This will help the patrol officers in the future at their first crime scenes.

6 References Gardner, R. M., & Krouskup, D. (2021). Practical crime scene processing and investigation . CRC Press. Police Magazine. (2005). Crime scene response for the patrol officer . Retrieved from https://www.policemag.com/patrol/article/15349272/crime-scene-response-for-the-patrol- officer

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7 Midterm: Contaminating a Crime Scene Kortney Schaum Saint Leo University CRJ 548: Crime Scene Investigation Dr. Jade Pumphrey 04/09/2023

8 Abstract During a death scene, a young female shot herself in her vehicle. First responding officer is a rookie who, as the revolver sat on her lap, removed the barrel immediately from her hand. There is a huge issue of tampering with evidence within crime scenes, and individuals can be held accountable for such crimes. Despite this, this rookie had not received proper training in situations like this because this was his first crime scene. Sadly, flawed evidence can lead to a not guilty verdict since it cannot be admitted in court (Gehl & Plecas, 2017). Due to the fact that the mistake was made aware, it is one of the most powerful tools available to the defense in criminal cases. As soon as he has done so, he should be removed from the crime scene to prevent contamination of further evidence. To prevent the defense lawyers from alleging that more evidence was contaminated on the crime scene with him, it is important to note this. Keywords: crime scene, contamination, firearm, inadmissible

9

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10 Midterm: Contaminating a Crime Scene There was a death scene that occurred where a young female shot herself in her vehicle. However, the first responding officer is a rookie who apparently removed the barrel of the revolver from her hand immediately as it sat on her lap. However, the contamination did not stop, the rookie remembered what he did and tried to place the revolver back in the females hand. As he did so her hand slipped to her side and the gun fell onto the front of the floorboard of the vehicle. This rookie however did not initially mean to tamper with the evidence however he did. Doing so he took the responsibility and spoke his mistakes to the crime scene investigator. Correcting the Rookies Mistakes Tampering with evidence is a huge issue within crime scenes and individuals can be charged with these crimes. However, this rookie did not intentionally do this as this is his first crime scene and did not undergo the proper training in situations like this. With this mistake being made aware of it is important to take notes of everything that occurred. The rookie contaminated the evidence by inadvertently touching the weapon and adding their fingerprints to the weapon. Unfortunately, flawed evidence is never admissible in court and can lead to a not guilty verdict (Gehl & Plecas, 2017). But since this mistake was made known aware it is a powerful tool in the criminal defense. This is popular in the O.J. Simpson trial which has proved that flawed forensic evidence can lead to an acquittal (Gehl & Plecas, 2017). It is important for the rook responder to take all the notes properly (Gehl & Plecas, 2017). He should write in his notes of what he initially saw before he grabbed the weapon out of the deceased females hand. After he did so he should be removed from the crime scene so no more evidence can get contaminated. This is important to note so that the defenses attorneys cannot state that there was more evidence contaminated with him on the crime scene. Unfortunately, the mistake cannot be

11 corrected so it is important to brief everyone on the scene of what happened, so they know of what occurred and to ensure that no other piece of evidence gets contaminated. The crime scene should continue to be investigated and all evidence should be properly collected. The firearm can still be taken into evidence, but it might not see the courtroom due to the contamination. Conclusion This rookie should be removed from the crime scene immediately and the personnel at the scene should all be briefed of what occurred. Weapons are an important piece of evidence but in many cases they become contaminated and removed from first responders (Gehl & Plecas, 2017). It is important after this crime scene that all the rookie officers go under proper training so they learn from this rookie’s mistake and prevent the contamination in the future. Accidents always happen, but this crucial piece of evidence might never see the courtroom.

12 References Gehl, R., & Plecas, D. (2017). Chapter 8: Crime scene management . Introduction to Criminal Investigation Processes Practices and Thinking. Retrieved from https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/criminalinvestigation/chapter/chapter-8-crime-scene- management/

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