Nurs 332 - Forensic Science Essay 1

1) Consider the fictitious Crime Scene/Missy Hammons’ case. At this point in the case, that medical examiner has conducted the autopsy and has opined that Missy's death is a homicide and not a suicide as originally suspected when the body was discovered.  Assume that the Pennson County crime scene unit initially "sealed" the crime scene (preventing contamination) while awaiting the autopsy results. Post autopsy, the scene can be revisited by a CSI team. 

a) As per your textbook, Chapter 2, discuss the procedures necessary to secure a crime scene. 

In order to properly secure a crime scene, the first arriving officer at the scene of the crime is responsible for enacting the procedure to preserve and protect the area from tempering from any outside sources. Unauthorized personnel should be (and are) excluded with physical barricades (ropes and police tape notwithstanding), as the area is isolated and cordoned off, whilst seeking medical assistance for any of the parties involved, whether appearing to be living or deceased. Physical evidence may be very delicate and susceptible to unintentional destruction (not unlike the officers who disposed of the nurse’s syringe, in Lisa Mundy’s story for example), so it is of utmost importance for the officer responsible for protecting the integrity of the crime scene to prevent any third parties from entering and disrupting the scene (including but not limited to: neighbors, animals/pets, other officers who are not involved in the case, etc). Evidence that is tampered with or destroyed can cast large shadows of doubt on the admissibility of it, and can introduce a bias against it.

In the case of the death of Ms. Missy Hammons, it is necessary to retain her domicile as a secured crime scene, free from intruders with police tape/presence – specifically Officers Quinlan and Winters. Ms. Lydia Hammons and Jonah Dale are additionally authorized to enter the secured crime scene.

b) As per your textbook (Chapter 3) and...