Material for a 2-hour lesson, part of the Criminal Investigation Course, developed by the Kosovo Police Service School

A key concern of the Investigating Judge and the KPS Investigators is the prompt securing of the crime scene. Prior to commencing a search of the scene there are a number of factors and individuals that can have an adverse impact upon this key concern. These extraneous factors can destroy potential evidence, leave evidence unknowingly and contaminate the scene. There is a danger of contamination after the scene is secured also, as well as a danger of losing good evidence if the search and recovery of evidence is not conducted properly. To avoid losing good evidence it is important that Investigators:

1. properly secure the area as soon as possible;
2. adopt a professional approach to searching the scene;
3. utilize the skills of the Forensic Technicians;
4. ensure that any evidence recovered is properly recorded and packaged.

The goal of this lesson is to introduce the officers to the proper methods of protecting and searching a crime scene. This will involve examining the potential influence of all persons coming into contact with a crime scene and learning how best to protect the crime scene. In addition, the officers will look at various methods of searching the scene, as well as methods of collecting and packaging evidence used by the Forensic Technicians (ICITAP Program).

At the end of this lesson students will be able to:

1. Outline the Nature of a Crime Scene.
2. Describe the needs of an Initial Response at the Crime Scene.
3. Identify the three (3) duties of the secondary officers arriving at the crime scene.
4. Listen the seven (7) considerations that should be applied before entering a crime scene and Making an Initial Assessment.
5. Cite the three (3) purposes of a crime scene search and the five (5) Methods of Crime Scene Searches
6. Identify the Search Method used by the Forensic Technicians
7. Describe the Forensic Technicians’ Method for Collecting, Marking and Packaging Evidence
8. State at least five (5) questions that the KPS Investigator should consider when concluding a search.