From the second a crime is committed
From the second a crime is committed

traces of the crime are left in the environment.
traces of the crime are left in the environment.

The location where a crime took place can be full of physical evidence
The location where a crime took place can be full of physical evidence

which can link the crime to the criminal
which can link the crime to the criminal

and ultimately assist the police in their investigation.
and ultimately assist the police in their investigation.

This location is known as the crime scene.
This location is known as the crime scene.

Crime scenes can be anywhere, indoors, outdoors,
Crime scenes can be anywhere, indoors, outdoors,

a business premises, domestic dwellings or vehicles
a business premises, domestic dwellings or vehicles

and no two are ever the same.
and no two are ever the same.

The work of the crime scene investigator, or CSI,
The work of the crime scene investigator, or CSI,

is a key part of processing a crime and obtaining evidence.
is a key part of processing a crime and obtaining evidence.

For this reason alone
For this reason alone

the skills they need
the skills they need

and the procedures they follow are of vital importance.
and the procedures they follow are of vital importance.

Before a CSI even enters a crime scene
Before a CSI even enters a crime scene

they need a full set of appropriate protective clothing.
they need a full set of appropriate protective clothing.

The full crime scene suit,
The full crime scene suit,

sometimes called a bunny suit,
sometimes called a bunny suit,

consists of boot covers, gloves, a hood and a mouth guard.
consists of boot covers, gloves, a hood and a mouth guard.

This clothing will protect the CSI
This clothing will protect the CSI

and ensure they do not contaminate the crime scene.
and ensure they do not contaminate the crime scene.

Crime scenes often occur outside
Crime scenes often occur outside

and a police officer is usually the first person at the scene.
and a police officer is usually the first person at the scene.

However, the police officer should not disturb the crime scene
However, the police officer should not disturb the crime scene

and should instead set up a cordon
and should instead set up a cordon

to protect the evidence contained within.
to protect the evidence contained within.

When the crime scene investigator
When the crime scene investigator

enters the crime scene
enters the crime scene

they will use the common approach path.
they will use the common approach path.

This is a path from the edge of the cordon
This is a path from the edge of the cordon

to the focal point of the crime scene
to the focal point of the crime scene

and in most cases
and in most cases

stepping plates will be used along this path
stepping plates will be used along this path

to preserve the evidence.
to preserve the evidence.

When available these stepping plates should be used at all times.
When available these stepping plates should be used at all times.

A CSI’s job
A CSI’s job

is to both accurately document and process the crime scene.
is to both accurately document and process the crime scene.

Documenting the scene involves taking photographs of the crime scene,
Documenting the scene involves taking photographs of the crime scene,

of exhibits
of exhibits

and taking notes.
and taking notes.

Documenting the crime scene will continue
Documenting the crime scene will continue

as they start to collect the evidence.
as they start to collect the evidence.

As the crime scene is processed
As the crime scene is processed

the CSI has to be very conscious of environmental factors
the CSI has to be very conscious of environmental factors

which may compromise the evidence.
which may compromise the evidence.

This is especially important in outside crime scenes
This is especially important in outside crime scenes

as factors such as rain,
as factors such as rain,

snow and strong wind
snow and strong wind

can mean the need to collect the evidence faster than normal
can mean the need to collect the evidence faster than normal

or erect temporary structures to protect the evidence.
or erect temporary structures to protect the evidence.

The crime scene may also need to be protected
The crime scene may also need to be protected

if it is near a public area
if it is near a public area

where the media or passers-by can see it.
where the media or passers-by can see it.

Time of day can also play a major role in how a crime scene is processed.
Time of day can also play a major role in how a crime scene is processed.

In some instances it may be advisable
In some instances it may be advisable

to preserve the scene until natural light is available.
to preserve the scene until natural light is available.

However in many cases temporary,
However in many cases temporary,

high powered lighting rigs
high powered lighting rigs

and powerful torches
and powerful torches

can be used to process the scene.
can be used to process the scene.

Indoor crime scenes have their own set of issues
Indoor crime scenes have their own set of issues

whether it’s a business property or a domestic dwelling.
whether it’s a business property or a domestic dwelling.

In indoor crime scene such as burglary,
In indoor crime scene such as burglary,

the CSI may have to speak to a victim of crime.
the CSI may have to speak to a victim of crime.

In such cases they should be empathetic
In such cases they should be empathetic

and have good communication skills.
and have good communication skills.

They must also be considerate of person environments
They must also be considerate of person environments

and balance the respect for someone’s property
and balance the respect for someone’s property

with the need for a thorough scientific examination.
with the need for a thorough scientific examination.

In more serious crimes
In more serious crimes

it may be more necessary
it may be more necessary

for the CSI to remove objects and furnishings from the property.
for the CSI to remove objects and furnishings from the property.

Another common crime scene is vehicle crime.
Another common crime scene is vehicle crime.

These are processed like any other crime scene.
These are processed like any other crime scene.

However in less serious crime such as car theft
However in less serious crime such as car theft

the CSI will focus their efforts on the point of entry
the CSI will focus their efforts on the point of entry

such as a broken window.
such as a broken window.

In more serious crimes
In more serious crimes

the car can be stripped to look for evidence
the car can be stripped to look for evidence

this would include lifting the carpets,
this would include lifting the carpets,

taping the upholstery
taping the upholstery

and analysing the lifts for trace forensic evidence.
and analysing the lifts for trace forensic evidence.

As you can see,
As you can see,

crime scenes are very varied
crime scenes are very varied

and take place in a wide range of locations.
and take place in a wide range of locations.

However they do have a number of basic principles
However they do have a number of basic principles

in common
in common

including cordons,
including cordons,

common approach paths
common approach paths

and the systemic recovery and collection of evidence.
and the systemic recovery and collection of evidence.

The crime scene investigator has a key role in documenting the crime scene
The crime scene investigator has a key role in documenting the crime scene

and collecting the physical evidence
and collecting the physical evidence

left during a crime.
left during a crime.