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Introduction
The success or failure of all criminal cases starts at the investigation point. In every criminal investigation there are proper steps to be taken by an enforcement or investigation officer. This is so important in that failure to do the right thing may lead to injustice to the victim and release of criminals into the unsuspecting public. As such, it is therefore vital to know the best steps to take when called upon to investigate a crime. In answering the question at hand, the following four steps would be taken in order to successfully investigate and finally administer justice to both the victim and the criminal. Having mentioned the preceding, it is important to state that this research is relevant as it identifies the four most important steps one should take when faced with such a case.
According to National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSCT), 2011 report, there are quite a number of steps an investigator takes to arrive at a successful conclusion. However, only four may apply to this case scenario and these are (1) prioritization of efforts (2) preliminary documentation and Assessment of the scene; (3) processing the scene; and lastly (4) completing and recording of the crime scene investigation.
1. Prioritization Of Efforts
One of the main steps is identifying the boundaries within which to conduct an investigation. The importance of this step is that it helps an investigator in determining where to start and end the investigation. In regards to this case scenario, it would be important if the investigator marks the boundaries within which the burglary occurred and the borders within which the suspect was caught. This is will help a lot because it will link anyone who was within the borders to the burglary or rape incident for instance. Such an action should be done promptly as highlighted by NFSTC (2013). Similarly, it has to be done carefully so that the scene is kept safe from contamination. At this same instance the safety of anyone within the scene has to be cautiously managed as there may be other threats to human life or evidence collection. Additionally, scanning the area would assure safety of other possible witnesses that may be targeted by criminals who may still be hovering around. After that has been done, controlling who gets in or out of the scene becomes necessary as it helps keep the scene free from possible intrusion.
2. Preliminary Documentation And Assessment Of The Scene
A good criminal investigator ought to be careful and keen to every little detail available. In order to do this the investigator ought to know what kind of crime occurred at the scene hence will be able to know what to look for. For instance, evidence such as finger prints, footprints, internet log-ins tools and probably presence of drugs may easily be interfered with unless security of the area is prioritized. Dutelle (2011) gives more reasons why this is important among them being the fact that a piece of evidence may be interfered with leading to wrong conclusions. Security of such an area may be assured by marking the area with a “Crime Scene. Do not cross Tape” and only allow specialists to enter or leave the area marked. Other actions such as having documentary evidence of who enters or leaves, who the witnesses may be is also necessary. Areas that may have strong evidence may be kept out of bound from unauthorized members of the investigative team. There should also be one entry and or exit so as to maintain the criminals movements if any.
3. Processing The Scene
In any activity, planning is important. As such it would be important to plan then communicate the plan to the relevant team mates then finally coordinate the whole exercise. There has to be some assumption by the investigators regarding what happened at the scene. By doing this, as Miller (2016) suggests, it would be possible to know the kind of crime that was committed and list the possible pieces of evidence that could be expected at such a crime scene. For instance, by looking at the weather conditions for instance rain, the investigators would be able to expect foot prints as illustrated by Miller (2016), left by the criminal hence plan to expect such pieces of evidence. In order to get to this, the investigator would be able to assemble the right personnel for such kind of evidence collection. In such cases also, there may be need to call in more specialized units to look at evidence that may require specialized handling. A proper team would ensure there is no contamination. It would also ensure there is proper documentation such as measurements and photography. The right team would record and document the right information received at the scene. Of great importance is the urgency of collecting evidence hence the importance of making it a priority to collect evidence.
4. Completing And Recording Of The Crime Scene Investigation
After all the above has been taken care of, it would be easier to conduct an investigation and collect evidence among other things. The crime scene would have been marked, secured, a plan laid down to collect the evidence and then it would be easier to piece things up together. As evidence gets collected, proper documentation is important. How any evidence is gathered and packaged is also crucial (Dutelle, 2011). In addition to the foregoing, even how the evidence if preserved is more vital to an investigator. Thus, with proper planning evidence that is biological may be well preserved and kept free from contamination. Further, members from the investigative team may be able to share the different pieces of evidence that they have before the scene is vacated. It is at this stage that a case file may be put together for presentation in criminal proceedings or further investigations. A number of things have to be done by the investigating officer and these include compiling a report from the responding officer, the medical personnel, a report of who entered or left the scene among other reports from the various team mates.
Analysis Of The Above
In a burglary coupled with rape case, there has to be tangible evidence and biological evidence as well. Burglars use crude weapons to force entry into peoples’ premises and the fact that the suspect was caught running towards his car could mean that he either had the tool he used to break in with him or it was within the boundaries of the scene. Further, as presented by Ritah (2010), the report of rape could make it easy with him around to conduct a DNA test of the body fluid found in the victim and the suspect’s fingerprints. Also photographs of the suspect’s skin for possible scratch marks may be helpful if the same suspect’s skin particles are found in the victim’s nails. This may help the case a great deal. Further, because most teenagers are addicted the internet these days, it may have been possible that the rape victim was tracked by the suspect using the working computer found in the suspects car and therefore a forensic audit of the logins may help the investigations. Using preventive measures to protect the scene, not only ensures that proper evidence is collected but also makes the investigation process simple and less time consuming.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to follow the right steps when conducting an investigation. Such a procedural conduct not only promotes the administration of justice but saves tax payers money through short investigative processes that are effective and lives from criminals that may be left to walk scot free because of careless and unprocedural investigations.
References
Dutelle, A. W., (2011), An Introduction To Crime Scene Investigation; Jones And Bartlett Publishers: Sudbury, MA, 532 Pgs.
Piché, Megan C., and Michael L. Naraine. “Off the Court: Examining Social Media Activity and Engagement in Women’s Professional Sport.” International Journal of Sport Communication 1.aop (2022): 1-10.
Miller, T. M. (2016). The Crime Scene: A Visual Guide. Elsevier Science & Technology Books 2016, ISBN: 0128012455,9780128012451
N.F.S.T.C. (2013). Crime Scene Investigation, A guide for law enforcement. Essentials Of Crime Scene Investigation (Online Training Program). National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFST C), Largo, FL.
Ritah, N. (2010). DNA Solves Property Crimes (But Are We Ready For That). NIJ. Journal http://www.nij.gov/journals/261/dna-solves-property-crimes.htm
