150 WORDS AGREED OR DISAGREED

1. There are four units that make up a crime laboratory.  They include a scientific analysis section, special projects section, fingerprinting, and investigative operations and support (Jaske, P., 2019).  There are also several divisions that assist the Director’s Office: Serology, Chemistry/Toxicology, Trace Evidence, Biology, or Microscopy and Ballistics, Firearms or Fingerprinting (Jaske, P., 2019).  The unit that would examine the revolver to include the fingerprints would be the scientific analysis unit under the Ballistics, Firearms or Fingerprinting division.  When it goes to processing the firearm, the unit should first test for touch DNA before the fingerprints.  When it comes to trying to process prints off a firearm, this proves difficult.  The DNA is a better process for examination on the firearm (Nunn, S., 2013).  If there was a shell casing found at the scene, then fingerprints can be lifted off the casing.  As for the blood and skin under the victim’s fingernails, the evidence should also be sent to the scientific analysis unit under the Trace Evidence, Biology, or Microscopy division.  This way the evidence can be further analyzed and tested.

2. There are multiple steps that should be taken when initially arriving at the scene of a crime.  They should include initial response/ receipt of information, safety procedures, emergency care, secure and control persons at the scene and boundaries established (NIST, 2013).  It is important to note that one of the most important parts of securing a crime scene is to ensure that there is minimal contamination and the disturbance of the evidence is limited.

 When the first officer arrived at a scene, it would be important for them to have been alert and attentive when approaching the scene.  The scene is to be treated as an active crime scene unless determined otherwise.  The officer should log the information detailing the scene to include that there was no one fleeing the scene.  When conducting the safety procedures, the officer should make sure that the scene is clear for the other responders to arrive.  This would include scanning the area for any dangers such as smells, sounds and sights that are observed.  If the scene is not secured and safe for the emergency personnel, then they cannot continue with their job.  The next step in the process should be taking care of the injured person.  In this case, the officer should assess the victim and provide the necessary action to ensure that the victim is stable.  The office should have one of the victim’s friend’s help assist the victim, i.e. put pressure on the wound and talk to them to assess the level on consciousness.  Since the ambulance was called, that part of the step is taken care of.  The officer should also take note of evidence that the emergency personnel should keep for the investigation and instruct the emergency personnel to leave all items at the scene if applicable (NIST, 2013).  While this is happening, the officer should also be documenting statements made by the friends and witnesses.  When controlling the scene and witnesses, they should be separated from the scene in order to preserve the scene and evidence.  Since the friends may be upset about what had happened, the officer should proceed with compassion while separating them from the victim.  The officer should also be declaring the boundaries of the scene, this will include the scene itself, potential routes in an out where the suspect could have entered or exited and places of potential evidence, i.e. the knife.  These boundaries should also be secured with crime scene tape.  

All of these steps should run concurrent as much as possible, especially if there is only one officer at the scene to ensure the best medical attention to the victim and preservation of the crime scene for the follow up investigation.  After these steps are taken, the officer should prepare for the turnover of control to the lead investigator, document all that happened and their observations, make the appropriate notifications and continue to manage the witnesses (NIST, 2013). 

References

           Jaske, P. (2019). Lesson: Introduction to Criminalistics, The Crime Scene, and Physical Evidence Retrieved from https://edge.apus.edu/portal/site/401239/tool/c0955c56-61fe-4977-93cf-de5e0774874f

            National Institute of Standards and Technology & National Forensic Science Technology     Center. (2013). Crime Scene Investigation: A   Guide for Law Enforcement. Largo, FL. Retrieved from  https://            Nunn, Samuel. (2013). Touch DNA Collection Versus Firearm Fingerprinting: Comparing        Evidence Production and Identification Outcomes. Journal of forensic sciences. 58. 10.1111/1556-4029.12119.