Lisa Gregory 37
American Intercontinental University
Criminal Justice 471
Dr. James Jabbour

Abstract

The author of this paper is a crime scene investigator working on a homicide case she discovered a few different pieces of evidence that need to be photographed, logged, and recovered from a scene. She describes how she obtained the evidence a handgun, dried blood, and shell casings, and hair that was in the fist of the deceased. Further she describes how she obtains this evidence and what tools she uses, as well as the way in which she packaged the evidence.

First responders need to get the BOLO (be on the look out) out ASAP. Secure the crime scene by roping it off or using police tape. Photograph the scene before you touch or move any evidence. This is important for when you need to refer back in the investigation of your crime scene. Since the scene is a homicide case. The investigator needs to be careful not to contaminate the crime scene with his/her DNA.
Dried blood
Dried blood should be collected with either a cotton swab or gauze that is sterile, considering the stain is on a surface. Since the blood was dried a little sterile water is okay to extract the blood.
If there is blood stains on the flooring then a piece of the flooring should be cut out to go with the sample to the lab. The sample should be placed into a paper bag and labeled. Blood stains on articles of clothing should be taken in for evidence in their entirety. The article of clothing should be placed in a paper bag and the proper labels should be attached. The paper should be either a brown paper bag or a box that is sealed and labeled. (Crime Scene Investigator, 2014), The investigator should not attempt to remove a stain from the clothing. Let the crime scene lab extract the specimen. Once again if ther stains are on a large surface then try and remove the entire object or surface where the blood stains are, place them in paper and then in a paper bag with the proper labels. If the stain is on uneven surface or a rough one extract it with a piece of tape along the edges to preserve it. Place into a paper envelope and then in a paper bag with the proper labels Use either a sterile scalpel or knife. (Crime Scene Investigator, 2014) a scraping tool should be carefully cleaned in between samples to avoid cross contamination just in case there is more than one suspect. (Crime Scene Investigator, 2014), Never mix the blood stain samples with each other, all should be packaged separately and sent to the lab separately. Several tests are available to be performed on blood stain evidence. (Crime Scene Investigator, 2014) The first test is the restriction fragment length polymorphism process (RFLP), or the polymerase chain reaction process (PCR) the blood can be analyzed and a genetic profile is created to determine who left the blood stains behind.
Handgun
Never take a loaded handgun into evidence . Unload the bullets and place them into a plastic bag for the lab. Separate the bullets and place the bullets in plastic bags and label them. Check the victim for gun powder burns. Take photographs of the crime scene the victim the position of the gun and any shell casings in the surrounding area. Wear gloves when handling the weapon and never carry the gun by the trigger or the base portion of the gun. This may interfere with existing fingerprints on the gun. (Crime Scene Investigator, 2014) Never stick anything into the end of the gun or the barrel to carry it. Place the gun in paper wrap it up and then place in a plastic bag, and then the proper labeling (Crime Scene Investigator, 2014) Secure it so it does not shift during transit. Never attempt to clean up the gun that includes the bore, barrel, or cyclinder, never attempt to fire the weapon before it is examined.( FBI, 2014) Label