Documentation is one of the most significant components in many careers. In forensics, it could literally mean the difference between life and death. The following documents are used by the students to document any and all aspects of crime scene investigations.
Packet Contents
Man-Power Assignments
Crime Scene Photo Log
Individual Interrogation Request
Crime Scene Personnel
Lab Work Request
Interview Information
Interrogated Witness Log
Vehicle/Crime Scene
Sample Waiver
Significant Evidence List
Body/Crime Scene & Wound Chart
Affidavit for Search Warrant
Event Schedule
Weapons Report
Control Requisition
General Crime Scene Information
Coroner & Ambulance Information
Generic Request
Crime Scene Sketch & Evidence
Miranda Rights Card
Press Release
Guide to Packet Documents
Goal
The goal of these investigations is to obtain successful and accurate indictment(s). Evidence may only be included on an indictment if and only if it is obtained and documented legally. Appropriate completion of the following documents should assure accurate and legal documentation.
"If you don’t document it, then it didn’t happen and it doesn’t exist”
Daily Documentation
Man-Power Assignments-A planning sheet used to delegate responsibilities to the CSI’s
Crime Scene Personnel Sheet-a running list of investigators who enter the crime scene
Interrogated Witness Log Sheet-A running log of witnesses or suspects interrogating during the investigation
Significant Evidence List-A running list of evidence the CSI’s believe to be significant to the case
Event Schedule-a running list of each and every activity the CSI group initiates and participates
The Crime Scene (each of the following are to be completed as a set and correspond for a single crime scene)
General Crime Scene Information-must have one completed for each crime scene
Crime Scene Sketch & Evidence Measurements/General Information-must have at least one sketch and general information completed for each crime scene
Crime Scene Photo Log-a list of photographs taken at the crime scene; must have one completed for each crime scene
Lab Work Request Form-this form must be completed in order to obtain lab work on evidence
Additional Crime Scene Forms (Use only if applicable)
Vehicle/Crime Scene-to be completed if a vehicle is searched
Body/Crime Scene & Wound Chart-to be completed upon the examination of a body
Weapons Report-to be completed upon the discovery or confiscation of a weapon
Coroner & Ambulance Information-to be completed by the Coroner or Ambulance service
Interrogation Documents
Miranda Rights Card-a list of rights which legally must be read to any one questioned and signed
Individual Interrogation Request Form-must be completed in order to request an interrogation (this document will initiate officers acquisition of individuals for you to question)
Interview Information-must complete one of these for each person interrogated
Obtaining Evidence not at the Crime Scene (Any evidence obtained outside of the crime scene requires probable cause, a waiver, or a warrant)
Sample Waiver-used to obtain evidence from an individual with adult permission
Affidavit for Search Warrant-used to obtain evidence by bypassing consent; Must be submitted and approved by a judge or magistrate
Control Requisition Form-used to request lab techs to obtain know samples from an individual or location for comparison purposes
Other
Generic Request Form-used to request action by a judge, lab tech, or psychologist, not covered in other documents
Press Release-if a case becomes high profile, a certain amount of information must be released to the press; this form is to document such releases