SCENE ANALYSIS

• Jurisdiction: Australia

Introduction ................................................................................................... [97.400]

Recording and photography ......................................................................... [97.500]

[97.400] Introduction

The thorough examination of a crime scene may involve a number of practitioners from different disciplines each of whom may target different facets of the same area of bloodstaining. Therefore, consideration must be given to the sequence in which the examinations are carried out to limit the potential for destruction of critical fragile evidence. It is advisable, at some complex scenes, to designate, as scene co-ordinator, a person familiar with all aspects of an incident examination.

Prior to any detailed examination, it is desirable to conduct a thorough examination of the apparent scene area. All care must be taken not to alter or contaminate the scene in any way. This gives an overview and allows the practitioner to plan a scene examination strategy.

Preservation of the scene is of paramount importance to the bloodstain pattern expert, particularly when blood has been deposited on movable objects, deceased persons or on objects likely to be affected by inclement weather. Often the directionality of bloodstain patterns and/or the "protective shadows" left by items at the scene in the "line of sight" of a blood droplet trajectory may aid the...