Crime scene investigation information

How It’s Done

Samples That May be Collected at a Crime Scene

A wide variety of physical evidence can be collected at a scene that is deemed valuable (“probative”) for collection and investigation:

• biological evidence (e.g., blood, body fluids, hair and other tissues)
• latent print evidence (e.g., fingerprints, palm prints, foot prints)
• footwear and tire track evidence
• trace evidence (e.g., fibers, soil, vegetation, glass fragments)
• digital evidence (e.g., cell phone records, Internet logs, email messages)
• tool and tool mark evidence
• drug evidence
• firearm evidence

The type of evidence collected will vary with the type of crime.

In the case of a burglary, for example, it would be common to perform tasks in the order listed below. This will help ensure that evidence isn’t inadvertently damaged or destroyed:

1. Photograph and document the scene
2. Collect trace materials (especially from probable points of entry)
3. Collect lo Crime Scene Investigator Responsibilities, Careers & Degrees DOC