Unit 7

CJ370: Crime Scene Investigation II Unit 7 Scientific Approach

Britany L. Alford

Kaplan University

Professor Madden

2/2/2016

“The scientific method emphasizes the use of precision, objectivity, critical thinking, careful observation, practice, repeatability, uncertainty management, and peer review, all of which help support the reliable collection, measurement, and interpretation of clues in order to produce knowledge about a situation”.

The Scientific method is the standard methodology when processing a crime scene which also plays an important factor when reconstructing a scene. “Crime scenes should be approached in a systematic, methodical way; certain steps must be performed before others. Considerations about legal and scientific matters must be made when searching a crime scene” (Foster 2012). In the field of crime scene investigation it is important to have the experience, be a creative thinker, logic and the correct application of the science and scientific method in order to be successful in this field of practice. In this paper I will discuss the scientific approach used to identify and collect various types of trace, blood, and/or other biological evidence that has the potential to resolve a criminal investigation.

Processing the crime scene and crime scene analysis are two important key components when resolving a criminal investigation. When processing the crime scene it is imperative to take “plenty of notes, careful examination, sketching, photography, and collection of physical evidence” (Foster 2012). As stated before certain steps must be performed before others. There should be a plan of action readily available to investigators. As a procedure in the criminal investigations department should list the different responsibilities of a forensic scientist and what task should be done and in what order.

As for crime scene analysis, it is there to help investigators understand the events that occur at a crime scene and determine the...