The police perspective

Abstract

In recent years reviews of the activities of the police and other agencies at major crime scenes have identified the need for a more coordinated and better structured approach to crime scene management. This applies equally throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. There is little doubt that many mistakes are generated by ineffective communication and misunderstanding as to the expectations and capabilities of the various specialists requested to attend the scene. It is clear that advances in technology now mean that each specialist attending the crime scene has many more methods, procedures and options available for use. Today major crime scenes may well be attended by any, or indeed all of the following specialists, each having important roles and responsibilities within the investigation: Senior Investigator Scientific Support Coordinator Crime Scene Manager Scene Examiner Police Surgeon Forensic Pathologist Forensic Scientist Firearms Ballistics Experts Plan Drawer Exhibits Officer Other agencies such as: Entomologists Odontologists Forensic Psychologist Coroners' Officers Police Search Teams Fire Investigation Officers For the purpose of this paper a major crime scene is defined as one that involves a murder or suspicious death (or in certain circumstances the disappearance of a person), serious sexual assault and any other enquiry treated on its merits as a major enquiry.