Real-World Crime Scene Investigation A Step-by-Step Procedure Manual

Real-World Crime Scene Investigation: A Step-by-Step Procedure Manual is designed as a field guide providing instruction on how to document a crime scene, including sketching, mapping, searching, collecting, and preserving physical evidence. It also addresses how to document a crime scene using photography and videography. It introduces modern forensic equipment, processing procedures, techniques, and methods. Interspersed throughout the book, hints and cautions provide tips on how to efficiently accomplish specific tasks or to warn crime scene personnel about commonly made errors. In using this book, readers will understand the specifics of various types of crime scenes in regard to documentation and gathering evidence. Its step-by-step approach allows quick learning of how to approach each crime scene to ensure a full investigation is conducted. Real-World Crime Scene Investigation looks at the entire process of crime scene investigation—from securing the crime scene and collecting evidence to how the evidence, once analyzed, can help investigators recreate events. Author Gabrielle Suboch draws upon her more than 25 years of hands-on crime scene investigation, and her years teaching at several colleges, to provide a comprehensive and highly readable resource on crime scene investigation.

Tools of the TradeIntroductionForensic Tools to Document the Crime SceneEvidence CollectionTools to Develop EvidenceAdditional Tools for Evidence RecoverySummaryReferencesForensic PhotographyCamera EquipmentPhotography BasicsSpecialized Photography on Scene and in the LaboratoryCrime Scene PhotographyThe Expert WitnessLegal Challenges of Forensic PhotographyChecklist for Crime Scene PhotographyConclusionReferencesImpression Pattern EvidenceFingerprintsShoe and Tire ImpressionsTool Mark ImpressionsReferencesArriving at the Crime SceneIntroductionDocumenting the SceneSearching for Additional EvidenceManaging Crime Scene SearchesDeveloping, Analyzing, and Reconstructing the Scene of a CrimeEvidence Collection, Packaging, and PreservationMotor Vehicles Involved in a CrimeFinal Walk-ThroughReferencesExcavation, Bones, Bugs, and BotanyExcavationsIdentification of the Remains through Forensic AnthropologyFacial ReconstructionIdentification of the Victim through Forensic OdontologyEntomologyBotanyReferencesCrime Scene ReconstructionWhat Is Bloodstain Pattern Analysis?Firearms and Shooting ReconstructionGlass Fracture MatchReferencesDeath InvestigationWhat Is a Death Investigation?AutopsyDeath InvestigationsReferencesMixed CasesMulti-Agency InvestigationsAppendix A: Forensic DatabasesAppendix B: Violent Crimes and Homicide Field Notes

Gabriele Suboch, PhD,is a professor in criminal justice studies, after retiring from a career in law enforcement. Her experience includes over 25 years of experience in law enforcement with the Bavarian State Police in Germany, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Myers, Florida, and is currently volunteering as an Auxiliary Deputy with Hendry County Sheriff’s Office in Labelle, Florida. She has testified as an expert witness in fingerprint technology, crime scene investigation, crime scene photography, and bloodstain pattern analysis. She was the lead crime scene investigator on, and has testified in such high profile cases as, the Gateway double murder, Juan Mendez double murder in Lehigh Acres, Florida, and the murder of Mrs. Lame, which had been broadcast live on Court TV and on the Internet.