Basic procedure re homicide investigations

[Sandy]

Can anyone tell me in what sequence events occur at a homicide investigation (let's say where a person was killed in his own home)? Who arrives first to the scene? What other officers are called in? Where do the crime scene technicians fit in? Does someone from the M.E.'s office come out right away? Do you need a warrant even when the victim's spouse invites you in to investigate? Thx.

[FLLawdog]

Chances are good patrol is first on scene. The first Deputy(officer) makes notification through dispatch to the shift supervisor(Sgt, who most likely is aware of what's happening), who makes notifications to Duty Office(Lt), District level CID(investigators) and Major Case(handle rapes, murders, robberies...big stuff). Major case notifies crime scene unit and ME.

For patrol, a homicide is one of the easiest reports for us to do. We came, we saw, we gave the scene over to Major Case. The rest of patrol's duties is scene security, assistance if needed and a "gopher".

Distric level investigators have it easy, too. They usually end up canvassing the neighborhood to help major case then write a quick supplement.

Crime scene is notified almost immediately and go to work as soon as the scene is safe. Our techs are sworn Deputies who do crime scene work as a collateral duty. They may be on duty somewhere else in the County or even off duty but on "on call" status at the time of the incident. If they're on duty, then their zone is empty for the duration of the call.

Warrants....it's a good idea to get one even though you have consent. If, for some reason the person who gave you consent turns out to be the suspect, you could stand to lose the evidence in court. Plain view things and hazards are fair game, but to actually get in and dig, you should get one. This a quick process through a Judge. There's much less PC to get into question such as with a narc warrant.

This is a brief overview of a "vanilla" homicide. Things get trickier with standoffs, old scenes, unknown risks, etc.

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FLLawdog
"Never try to teach a pig to sing...it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."

[Underdog]

Sandy,

The above post was a very good general review of how homicides are handled. However, the terminology and specifics vary from agency to agency. If you are placing your novel in a real world city, you may want to contact whoever handles community relations for the specific agency in order to avoid any technical errors.

[Guard Dog]

Both above are good posts and I agree but the question about the M.E got lost. In Illinois the coroner has to be notified. ( A couple county's have Med. Examiners but most are elected coroners) Sometimes there is a little delay http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gifin calling Coroner due to differences in responsibility. The coroner usually gets PO'd because they think they aren't called in soon enough but the fact is that the body belongs to the coroner and the scene belongs to the police. Most coroners have little law enforcement experience and tend to get in the way. Coroners only need investigate the cause of death, cops put the who in the equation (sorry you coroner people, but it's not like Quincy http://www.officer.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Nothing gets moved including the body until everything is photographed and every bit of evidence is documented and photographed. Video tapes are used a lot now. When the body is ready to be moved then the coroner can come in and look around.

While this is going on, other investigators are doing leg work finding out history and the goods on anyone connected with the scene including the victims.

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"What we have here is failure to communicate" ..Strother Martin (the Captain in "Cool Hand Luke" 1967)

[This message has been edited by Guard Dog (edited 01-29-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Guard Dog (edited 01-29-2001).]

[FLLawdog]

Our ME's office usually sends a contracted livery service to the scene for pick up. The actually ME doesn't show up on scene.

If the person is DRT(dead right there), and it's obvious, then we allow one person from the rescue unit(our County Fire Services provides medical service-not transport, though) to make the official pronunciation of death.

If the person still has vitals....All you firefighters and EMT's, you might not read this.... http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif. We allow the evidence erradication team to come in(once it's safe, that is) and perform life saving measures on the victim. I love our Fire Service and Ambulance crews around. Some of the hardest working and professional folks I know(no, it's NOT gratuitous sucking up), but man can they mess up a scene! I understand it has to be done, and because we have an understanding of our job and they have an understanding of ours, we make concessions. Like photos before they start or at least a very good visual survey.

Side note....I've never seen a chalk outline drawn.

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FLLawdog
"Never try to teach a pig to sing...it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."

[ME AGAIN]

Asked by Sandy:
What are the basic procedures regarding homicide investigations?

Investigatory practices vary from state to state, but the basics remain the same. Here are some guidlines for homicides. This is definately a shortened synopsis of what happens. The following items are not necessarily done in the order listed:

-- Patrol or paramedics almost always arrive first, after receiving a 911 call. Frequently, they trample all over the place and by doing so, they destroy potential evidence (that could have led to the identity and apprehension of a suspect).

-- Seal the crime scene. Nobody enters the crime scene unless he needs to. Once the crime scene is sealed, even officers aren't allowed inside, unless they are the assigned detectives who will be investigating the case. Post a guard to enforce this. The crime scene is sealed to prevent humans from accidently destroying evidence that could lead to the apprehension of the suspect. I've had hysterical relatives arrive on-scene (after the death) and when I denied them entry (so they could see the body), they violently pushed me out of the way and barged in. Lots of sad war stories.

-- Patrol will notify the detective bureau. Once detectives arrive, they usually do the following:

-- Mark and measure the crime scene e.g. this gun is exhibit "A" ... You might set a yellow cardboard placard with the letter "A" on it next to the gun...

-- Document the crime scene with photographs, videotape and/or crime scene sketches.

-- Look for evidence ie. suicide notes, fingerprints, empty pill bottles near the body, broken windows (point of entry), and much more...

-- Interview all on-scene witnesses. Tape record their statements so that they can't change their story.

-- Canvas the area and interview all neighbors and potential witnesses.

-- Interview family members who were not present at the crime scene.

-- Notify the M.E. of the circumstances and the name of the deceased. He too may come out to the scene to view the body before it is moved. He will contact the body snatchers, er, I mean the body removal team.

-- Take detailed notes. Document everything.

-- Write your finalized narrative for the prosecutor.

Asked by Sandy:
Do you need a warrant even when the victim's spouse invites you in to investigate?
Warrents go out the window in exigent circumstances. When human life is at stake, the police do not need a warrant to enter a building or private property. Human life takes precidence over personal rights. We will do whatever it takes to save human lives.

Again, the above is a shortened version of what goes on, but the basics are there. Some investigations go on for months or years. Hope this helps.


[This message has been edited by ME AGAIN (edited 01-29-2001).]

[Sandy]

I see all the "dogs" came out last night! http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
Many thanks to you and to ME AGAIN.

As of this point, my story is set in the Seattle area. I'm sure I'll use a fictional precinct, but I want to make sure the police procedures sound reasonable. Anyone out there from Washington State? Any other input is valuable too, since "dramatic license" gives a writer the right to fudge a bit.

[DesertRat]

All above good but on the warrant issue: YES. Exigent circumstance ends as soon as scene is secure. There is no "crime scene exception" to search warrant requirements and as has been said, in a homicide you never know who may soon become your suspect and for whatever reason may be able to get the consent thrown out. We always get a warrant.

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Wear your vest!
Second Chance save #821.

[Guard Dog]

DesertRat, Once again you're 100% right on.
On any major case we always get a warrant. We just had a murder investigation the other day, before any heavy duty crime scene work is performed, the warrant is secured. Takes less than 1 1/2- 2 hours to secure one and covers the chance that the perp had a constitutional privacy issue which would exclude any evidence found. Just hold the scene,post the warrant and rock and roll.

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"What we have here is failure to communicate" ..Strother Martin (the Captain in "Cool Hand Luke" 1967)

[This message has been edited by Guard Dog (edited 01-30-2001).]

[FLLawdog]

I see all the "dogs" came out last night!

I hate doin' it, but I gotta....who let da dogs out...whooof whoof whooof whooof....

OK, Sandy, you got a broad overview of procedures and responsibilities. Now, let's get technical. How can we help you with your scenario to make it as realistic as possible. I wanna read this best seller and feel like I'm solving the case http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif! Give us some "what if's" and "would this happen's".


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FLLawdog
"Never try to teach a pig to sing...it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."

[Sandy]

If the person still has vitals....All you firefighters and EMT's, you might not read this.... . We allow the evidence erradication team to come in(once it's safe, that is) and perform life saving measures on the victim. I love our Fire Service and Ambulance crews...

FLLawdog, "Evidence Erradication Team?" Can I borrow that? http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Sandy (edited 01-31-2001).]

[Sandy]

OK, Sandy, you got a broad overview of procedures and responsibilities. Now, let's get technical. How can we help you with your scenario to make it as realistic as possible. I wanna read this best seller and feel like I'm solving the case ! Give us some "what if's" and "would this happen's".

Okay, it's like this. A forensic psychologist is in town to speak at the National Convention of Homicide and Violent Crime Detectives (or some such thing--maybe you can come up with a better name--I wanted a lot of LEOs from all over congregating in one place). Two local detectives are paged from her seminar to attend a crime scene. I understand that detectives are called out in rotation. This pair wouldn't be "up" except that the facts that are reported to the commanding officer (would it be a Lieutenant?) make it appear as if it could be a serial murder. These two detectives investigated the first one, so are sent out on this one. The media gets wind of it early on, the Mayor starts calling, etc., and the Lt. tells the detectives to call in the profiler. Would a municipal PD consult with a forensic psychologist in private practice?

Before she is called in, however, the 2 detectives attend the SOC. A woman has been found strangled in her bedroom, posed, etc. An officer has secured the house and the crime scene technicians are waiting outside. I was thinking that the first thing the detectives might do is verify that the bedroom floor and other key areas are checked for visible and non-visible blood so that no one accidentally "erradicates" evidence. I was thinking they could have a technician spray Luminol from the doorway to the bed where the body lays. I think invisible blood stains wouldn't be erradicated by walking on them, but it might be dramatic to have the tech hovering an alternate light source above the floor and alongside the walls. What is the Luminol procedure? What exactly is "an alternate light source?" U.V. light? Is it in a wand form? Is Luminol sprayed?

Thanks for the help! I'll put you in my acknowledgements!

[Guard Dog]

Sandy,
First off, they probably won't luminol the scene unless they are looking for "NON VISIBLE" blood. If she was strangled , chances are she might not have been bleeding unless there was some hemorrhage.

Luminol is used generally when someone has tried to clean up a scene. In that case they spray luminol looking for the presence of blood stains(specifically the Hemoglobin [sp]) which reacts under floresent light wand a kind of blue green color. All other light sources need to be blocked to make this really works. There are false positives for liminol reactives, so the tech will take the area where the luminol reacts with him.( Yes the whole item, if its a door we take it offnthe hinges and away it goes) Then further analysis will be made to make sure it is blood. Sometimes with DNA this can even determine the source.

Lets say the suspect has a car that may have been used. They can do the trunk and seats. Almost 100% if there was blood on it, it will show.

There is quite a bit of info available on investigative techniques. I'd check the Calibre Press
http://www.calibrepress.com
Since you're gonna have a Best Seller the background books on criminal investigaton is well worth the $50.00 or $60.00 bucks.

Sandy, If this edit works try this link. It should trake you to the catalog section. Click on pages 19 & 24http://www.calibrepress-catalog.com/nonsworn/results.cfm?prodcat=1&direction=newsearch (http://www.calibrepress-catalog.com/nonsworn/results.cfm?prodcat=1&direction=newsearch)

The Crime lab on page 19 of the catalog
Practical Homicide Investigation Page 24

Good Luck
Guard Dog
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"What we have here is failure to communicate" ..Strother Martin (the Captain in "Cool Hand Luke" 1967)



[This message has been edited by Guard Dog (edited 01-31-2001).]

[John from Maryland]

If you check the professional associations section of the site, you'll find numerous organizations which hold conventions and training courses which might serve as your backdrop.

[Sandy]

No Luminol? There goes my drama, Guard Dog. Guess I'll save it for a different murder.

What about checking for other stains? Urine, semen, saliva, etc. What instrument is used? I'm thinking there must be some sort of wand-type instrument to scan the carpet, for example.

Also, would the body be wrapped in the bedsheets and transported or would the sheets be removed and transported separately?

Thanks Guard Dog and John for the references. You made some good suggestions.

[Guard Dog]

Well on this forum it's really hard to play what ifs...but I doubt they would be checking for urine. Semen yes. The bed sheets would be carefully removed and carefull marked indicating the manner in which they were on the bed. They will be taken to the evidence facility and allowed to dry. This is because any biologicals will begin to produce micro organism which will actually alter or destroy the evidence. Drying prevents that.

The carpet will be inspected. "Sometimes" the lab will vacuum looking for fibers and hairs. If there was a struggle, evidence such as broken finger nails, hair etc could be present. Hair roots contain DNA which is a big score for an investigator.

The body is going to be photgraphed before removal. The hands will be bagged so that the M.E can check for skin under the nails from defense or struggle.

The ME will check the body once upon arrival and again later for bite marks and other injuries. Strangled???? .....I got it...autoerotic asphyxiation. :eek http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Sandy the list goes on and on. Order the books I mentioned. They will answer your questions and give you all kind of ideas for your novel. There are Det's out there that do this day in and day out. I don't get to play outside anymore http://www.officer.com/ubb/frown.gif Phoenix is a big city. Try to hook up with a couple of the investigators out there. Check in with the local felony prosecutor and public defenders. Ask them for some weird experiences they investigated. I'll bet you'll get lots'O'stories.
Regards
Guard Dog


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"What we have here is failure to communicate" ..Strother Martin (the Captain in "Cool Hand Luke" 1967)

[This message has been edited by Guard Dog (edited 02-01-2001).]

[Sandy]

Scored a copy of Death Investigator's Handbook by Louis N. Eliopulos, so I'm going to start with that. I skimmed it already and it looks good, but it skips details that would be assumed, I think, by investigating officers. That's why your first hand knowledge and experience is valuable to me. Hopefully I will be able to find someone to work with in person when the book is done and the editing begins; I'll leave a lot of the clean-up work til then.

My protagonist is a forensic psychologist (profiler) who draws her conclusions from the physical evidence and from facts she can learn about the victim and how the victim would have reacted to this type of attacker. The more evidence of what EXACTLY occurred, minute by minute, the better.

I'm sensing that crime scene examination as it is carried out in the real world is based upon something equivalent to "probable cause," i.e, if there's reason to examine the carpet for invisible stains, it will be done, but that it won't be examined in great depth without good reason. A profiler, however, would want to know if a struggle took place on the floor as well as on the bed, etc., in order to determine how long the attacker spent with the victim, whether he prolonged the attack on purpose, etc. That's my understanding, anyway.

Thanks for the info to date. I believe that judicious use of details is what makes a story interesting, that hooks a reader. All the posts have contained details that I think will make a huge difference. I especially appreciate the humor interspersed with the grim realities.

If anyone else has any comments, let 'em run with the big dogs! http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[FLLawdog]

It's more common sense than probable cause. You have to put yourself in the shoes of the bad guy for a minute. Establish how he entered the residence, what he may have touched and the path he took in and out.

You said your story is set in Seattle. Have you tried to contact them as far as divisions and personnel used in a homicide? Being a large city, they may even have a media relations section.

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FLLawdog
"Never try to teach a pig to sing...it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."