Unit 23 Assignment 1 – Forensic Evidence Collection and Analysis
Personnel that you find at a crime scene
There are many different types of personnel that are present at crime scenes to ensure that the
correct procedures and protocols are followed during the analysis of the scene. Some of these
personnel include:
- FAO (First Attending Officer)
- SOCO (Scenes of Crime Officer)
- OIC (Officer in Charge)
- CSM (Crime Scene Manager)
- Police Officers
FAO
The First Attending Officer is the first personnel to arrive at the scene of the crime. Their main role is
to ensure that the scene is safe and controlled before any other personnel enter. They follow a strict
set of procedural guidelines designed to protect them and everyone else who’s present. When they
do arrive, they secure the scene by putting crime scene tape around the perimeter and then they
stand guard outside of the cordoned off section to ensure no evidence is damaged, contaminated, or
lost. They avoid entering the scene to try and preserve as much evidence as they possibly can, but
they do sometimes enter if they have to search for victims or suspects that may still be at the scene.
They also talk to anyone who reported the crime as they may have witnessed the crime occurring or
have seen any suspicious behaviour that may have happened close by to the scene. They are needed
whenever a crime is reported to ensure that they can preserve as much of the evidence as they
possibly can. They are usually stationed outside the entrances to the scene to ensure that no
unauthorised personnel enter.
SOCO
A Scenes of Crime Officer has a few different roles that they tend to carry out when arriving at a
crime scene. Overall, their main role is to collect and preserve any evidence that is located at the
scene to ensure that it can be properly analysed and is not contaminated with. Along with this, they
document the different aspects of the scene by taking photographs and creating sketches of the
scene which can later be used in court. A SOCO would need to be called to a crime scene whenever it
has been reported. This is so they are available to analyse the scene for crucial evidence that can link
any suspects or victims to the scene and to provide a way for prosecutors to build a case that can be
taken to court if necessary. They will only be allowed to enter the scene once the FAO has assessed
the area for any dangers and/or any suspects or dangerous individuals have been handled by the
police and removed from the scene.
Officer in Charge
The Officer in Charge has the main role of ensuring that the crime scene is assessed thoroughly and
that the SOCOs that have been called to collect the evidence are completing their tasks to the best of
their ability. They coordinate the team, they ensure that the scene is properly secured, and they
make decisions about how evidence is collected and preserved to make sure that the possibility of
any contamination or damaged evidence is prevented as much as they can be. OICs also help to relay
any information with other departments that may need to be notified so that all personnel are
understanding of the situation at hand. These personnel will only enter the crime scene once the
FAO has completed their initial analysis of the scene.
,Unit 23 Assignment 1 – Forensic Evidence Collection and Analysis
Crime Scene Manager
Crime Scene Managers and Officers in Charge have a very similar role. The difference between the
two personnel is that CSMs enter the scene and specifically focuses on managing the scene itself.
They have the main role of ensuring that all evidence is documented, packaged, collected, and
preserved in the correct manner for when it is to be analysed at a later date. They assign the tasks to
the team so that each person has a role specified to them, they coordinate the activities of the
scenes so that there is a plan for when the scene is entered, and they ensure that the protocols and
procedures are followed correctly. They also liaise with other departments, much like OICs, to ensure
that all personnel are kept up to date. They also enter once the FAOs have made their initial analysis
and secured the area. Once they enter the crime scene, they are completing their role until all
evidence that is found is collected, packaged, and documented.
Police Officers
Police Officers have the main role of securing the area and interviewing any witnesses or suspects
that may still be at the scene. This role is very important as it allows for statements to be
documented and recorded so that the information can be used to build a case which can eventually
be brought to court. They also collaborate with forensic experts as they analyse evidence so that any
crucial information can be updated on the case and used to try and make links to any suspects that
may have been at the scene. These officers enter the scene once the FAO has deemed the area safe
and secure to ensure that the safety of everyone is upheld and that any evidence is preserved and
ready for collection by the SOCOs. In some cases, the police officers do not enter the scene
specifically, but they secure the area and ensure that no other members of the public enter the
scene so that contamination doesn’t occur.
Forensic analysts and experts
During investigations of crime scenes, forensic personnel may be called when certain evidence is
found that requires specialist attention. Some of these personnel include:
- Forensic Scientists
- Forensic Pathologists
- Forensic Photographers
- Forensic Technicians
Forensic Scientists
Forensic Scientists have the main role of collecting and analysing physical evidence that is found
within the scene. Some of this evidence includes fingerprints, DNA, fibres, and other trace materials
that may help with finding suspects or victims that may have been present at the scene. They use
their own specialised equipment when collecting and preserving evidence so it can later be taken
and analysed in the lab. When they do enter the lab, they can conduct examinations and tests on the
evidence found to find any valuable information that can help investigators understand what may
have happened at the scene. They can also identify any suspects that may have been present and
involved in the crime. These experts can provide an expert testimony in court based off of what they
analysed within the lab and any information that they may have been discovered. They can explain
their findings, the methods they have used, and how significant and accurate the evidence is to the
judge and the jury to prove how correct their findings are and if suspects that are being prosecuted
were involved in the crime.
, Unit 23 Assignment 1 – Forensic Evidence Collection and Analysis
Forensic Pathologists
Forensic Pathologists are medical doctors who are specialised in determining the cause of death and
the manner of which it may have occurred. They are usually not directly involved in crime scene
investigations but may be called if a body needs to be analysed. They usually do this within a
controlled environment such as a morgue or within an autopsy suite. During these autopsies, they
gather evidence on the cause of death, a rough time of death, and any factors which may have led to
the death of the victim. They also collect samples that can be further tested to see if they have any
relevance to the case. They can provide expert testimonies in court where they share information
about injuries the victim sustained, toxicology reports and results, and any other medical findings
that may have contributed to the death of the victim. This helps the judge and jury understand how
the death was caused and if any suspects are to blame for this.
Forensic Photographers
Forensic Photographers play an important role of documenting the scene through photographs and
recording evidence so that the findings can be shown in court. They capture detailed images of the
entire crime scene to ensure that all evidence and aspects of the scene are documented. They also
take close-up shots of specific pieces of evidence so that each piece can be closely analysed. When
these photographs are taken, they can be used as a visual record of all the evidence collected that
can be used for analysis, investigation, and presentation when the case is brought to the courts. By
capturing these photos, the integrity of the scene can be preserved which can later be used as visual
evidence itself. They can provide expert testimonies in court about the photographs that they took.
They can explain the process that they followed to capture the images, the equipment that they
used, and the specific details they have documented. This helps the judge and jury understand the
scene and the evidence that was found.
Forensic Technicians
Forensic Technicians play a crucial role in processing and collecting the evidence that is found at the
scene. They carefully document and collect the physical evidence found such as fingerprints, DNA
samples, fibres, and any other trace materials that may have been found. During this process, they
use specialised tools and methods to ensure that the collection and preservation of evidence so that
cross-contamination is prevented, and the integrity of the evidence is upheld. These personnel also
assist in sketching the scene, taking any measurements of evidence, and documenting the overall
layout of the scene. They can provide an expert testimonies in court about evidence that they
photographed and sketches that they made. They can explain the methods that they used to the
judge and jury to show how integral their work is and how accurate the findings are when it comes to
prosecuting the correct people.
The importance of these experts
These experts are very important when it comes to the analysis of the scene. Without these forensic
professionals, the evidence found at the scene would not be able to be correctly analysed and
processed. This would mean that any crucial evidence and information may not be found and can
cause suspects who are guilty to walk free from prosecution. These forensic experts are crucial to the
running of the case, and, without their analysis, the evidence cannot be used in court. Their
approach ensures that investigations are thorough, accurate, and reliable so that all aspects of the
case are true and properly analysed.
