Crime Scene Preservation: Analysis of Research Paper

4-8).

While these standard procedure are relevant in the preservation of any crime scene, certain specifications exist when dealing with the unique challenges associated with the different types of crime scenes including homicides, rapes, arson, and nighttime crime scenes. For instance, in the case of homicide, as well as the aforementioned steps, the area must be preserved for trace evidence such as fingerprints. In the case of rapes or sexual assaults, the victim unfortunately becomes the most essential part of the crime scene and prior to medical examination, these individuals cannot bathe, shower, use the restroom, change clothes, comb hair, clean or tidy themselves, or move anything the offender might have touched (RAINN, 2010, pp.1). In the case of arson, unlike burglary or homicide scenes, arson scenes are often not confirmed as actual crime scenes for hours, days or even weeks after the fire is suppressed which makes preservation exceedingly more difficult, and as such must preventatively be considered crime scenes from the outset regardless of official declarations (Ross, 2012, pp.1). Finally, nighttime crime scenes additionally must be held and completely secured until daylight which may require additional personnel.

As seen, crime scene preservation is exceptionally difficult but is exceptionally important to the solving of the crime that has occurred. While the standards and measures that exist to preserve these scenes may seem excessive to laymen, the truth remains that the securing of these scenes and the preservation of evidence is what allows these many cases, no matter how different, to be solved in much the same way.

References

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. 2010. "Preserving and collecting forensic evidence." Web. Retrieved from: http://www.rainn.org/get-information/aftermath-of-sexual-assault/preserving-and-collecting-forensic-evidence [Accessed on 30 April 2012].

Ross, D. 2012. "Preserving the arson scene." California Fire Journal. Web. Retrieved

from: http://www.carolinafirejournal.com/articles/article-detail/articleid/113/preserving-the-arson-scene.aspx [Accessed on 30 April 2012].

Technical Working Group on Crime Scene Investigation. 2000. "Crime scene investigation: a guide for law enforcement." Department of Justice. Web. Retrieved from: https://www.ncjrs.gov/txtfiles1/nij/178280.txt [Accessed on 30 April 2012].

Schiro, G. 2011. "Protecting the crime scene." Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory.

Web. Retrieved from: http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/evidenc1.html [Accessed on 30 April 2012].