With TV shows and movies surrounding crime scenes and fatal accidents, it seems like everyone thinks they’re some sort of detective. However, a crime scene investigation is a lot more difficult, stressful and time consuming than what it seems to be. Before you think you’re a detective in the making, here is some basic knowledge on how a crime scene investigation actually works.

Define the crime scene

When a CSI arrives, the first step they need to do is to define the extent of the crime scene. While a homicide may have been committed in a certain room, the struggle might have started somewhere else and following the trail of evidence will help determine which parts should be labelled as a crime scene and be kept off limits. It is also necessary to do that as crime scene cleaners are contacted by the grieving family members and not conducted by the CSI department. That means that if the area isn’t sealed off by CSI, all the evidence could be easily lost in the cleaning process even before they get a search warrant from the district attorney.

Derive a possible theory

Once the search warrant is issued, the next step is to collect as much evidence as possible by having a walk-through of the crime scene. This helps the CSI take notes of evidence that will likely change over time. Things like certain smells, time of day, weather, sounds or any signs of breaking and entering. The small details that seem a little odd can make a huge difference in understanding what happened and should be taken note of. Once the walk through is processed, a potential theory of what could have taken place is put in motion.

Scene documentation

According to the plan, the team starts photographing the crime scene to be able to go back to how the scene was found when they need to verify the theory or disregard it for a new one. Forensics and specialists are called in to gather the evidence needed to collect detailed information on a possible scenario of what could have taken place and verify it with the evidence once it is examined.

Examine the evidence

Once the forensic evidence is examined, and witnesses are questioned, the results will be able to determine whether the initial walk through was in place or needs to be altered with new conclusions or question marks. The results of the evidence will always lead the course of the investigation.

Record and preserve evidence

With many people dealing with the crime scene, it is essential to create an inventory log for the evidence. Descriptions as well as photographs should be added to secure the evidence and always be able to verify the smallest details when necessary.

You never know when you’ll need to go back to a crime scene or re-open a case and that’s why making sure that every little detail is documented, secured and logged onto the inventory with detailed descriptions and photographs is essential, as well as full reports of the forensics analysis to be able to decide what the next steps should be.