CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION: THE TECHNIQUES

Brian Ward

You are a forensic detective and you have been assigned to investigate the scene of a crime whether it is a simple burglary, bank robbery or homicide.
Through this series of podcasts, retired Detective Sergeant Brian Ward will take you through the theories and techniques used to properly investigate a crime scene. It is intended for fans of forensics and crime writers. I will take you through fingerprints, trace evidence, examining your scene, evidence collection and other techniques that will provide a working knowledge of these skills.
That's me, the good looking cop in the white suit and shower hat. This was taken as I was exiting the home of one of Canada's most notorious serial killers, Paul Bernardo.

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DNA and Modern Science.......... From the Cell to a Cell

DNA and Modern Science.......... From the Cell to a Cell

Send us a textHow does DNA work and how are law enforcement officers using it to solve crimes or unsolved cases using this technology? Believe it or not, DNA use by law enforcement did not begin until 1987, although scientists knew about its existence for decades.They just didn't connect the dots until a British biologist Alec Jeffreys, tried a bold suggestion to British police that ended in the arrest of a serial killer. And now in many criminal trials, the question is bound to come up: "Was there any DNA found at the scene?"

Episodes

DNA and Modern Science.......... From the Cell to a Cell

DNA and Modern Science.......... From the Cell to a Cell

Send us a textHow does DNA work and how are law enforcement officers using it to solve crimes or unsolved cases using this technology? Believe it or not, DNA use by law enforcement did not begin until 1987, although scientists knew about its existence for decades.They just didn't connect the dots until a British biologist Alec Jeffreys, tried a bold suggestion to British police that ended in the arrest of a serial killer. And now in many criminal trials, the question is bound to come up: "Was there any DNA found at the scene?"

The Forensic Autopsy

The Forensic Autopsy

Send us a textWe have gone from the crime scene to the morgue to conduct a very important of part of your investigation, the forensic autopsy. Pictured here is the storage area of a morgue with individual coolers and larger coolers used to store caskets. Detectives in this case are removing the casket which had been exhumed. It was alleged the deceased had been killed while in police custody and a judge had ordered a second autopsy for answers.The forensic autopsy determined that the deceased had a fractured hyoid bone that proved he had hung himself while in police cells.

Death Investigations-part 3

Death Investigations-part 3

Send us a textThe body has arrived at the morgue and you are waiting for the forensic pathologist (doctor who specializes in post mortem examinations ) to determine when their examination will begin.The procedure is to fingerprint the body if they are unidentified, present your scene photos to the forensic pathologist so they can begin and liaise with other investigators to begin.In the opening photos, detectives remove a coffin from morgue storage, in preparation of a second autopsy. Allegations had been made about the cause of death for the deceased and their death investigation was just beginning.

Death Investigation-Part 2

Death Investigation-Part 2

Send us a textYou have a call about a dead woman in her bed, bloodied and battered in what could be a homicide/sexual assault.Remembering this could be an extremely important piece of evidence that could lead your investigators to the identity of the suspect, how you handle your investigation can make or break the case.Remember continuity of evidence, and all the clues the victim can provide, even in death.

Death investigation

Death investigation

Send us a text--------------------OUR DAY BEGINS WHEN YOUR DAY ENDS----------------Rumour has it that this is the motto of a U.S medical examiner's office and just about says it all! This episode explains the science of death, how a forensic examiner is able to collect evidence from your greatest piece of evidence..............the body.Podcast rules state I cannot show gross pictures but I can indeed bring you right into the scene and describe evidence and what you do with it for submission and analysis.It will also give you a new way to look at television crime shows.

Analyzing your evidence part 2

Analyzing your evidence part 2

Send us a textThis episode discusses other types of physical evidence such as footprints, tool marks and prints on paper. I also touch on your physical appearance when in court. Please stay away from the 1970 disco era look. Have some good business suits or jackets, ties and shirts. Women should try for the same effect of professional dress such as a suit or suitable business wear.Should you be in uniform, try and wear at least a clean shirt so the court does not see the coffee and donut stains!

Analyzing your evidence

Analyzing your evidence

Send us a textNow you have collected all your evidence, time to process it for the bad guy's presence at the scene.I talk about a resource for you to look at and see the tools of the forensic examiner's tool box thanks to Bobby Dameron of Tri-Tech Forensics. He is an old friend and allowed me to mention their web site. By the way, he is not a sponsor nor am I receiving compensation.

Evidence packaging and storage

Evidence packaging and storage

Send us a textIn this episode we will deal with the handling of your evidence once it leaves the crime scene but remains in your custody. Blood, semen, hair and other goodies are now your evidence to look after.You could even inherit a scorpion tattoo from a dead biker!

Crime scene evidence, collecting and preserving

Crime scene evidence, collecting and preserving

Send us a textThis podcast will be a two part series on evidence. I will delve into types of evidence and in the second part, will talk about processing and packaging evidence.

Crime Scene Management Part 2

Crime Scene Management Part 2

Send us a textThis is a further podcast delving into the proper management of crime scenes by police officers and forensic investigators in particular.Just remember, if they cross the yellow tape, all you can do is yell at them !!!

Managing the Crime Scene

Managing the Crime Scene

Send us a textHow do you manage a crime scene and prevent it being contaminated? In the first few minutes of a serious outdoor crime scene, the area will be flooded by gawkers clamouring to see the gory site. They will have cell phone cameras to record everything and attending officers will have their hands full with people trampling evidence, moving it from its original location or even stealing it. Law enforcement personnel have to act quickly to manage the scene, and protect it for the forensic examiners. Become frustrated as pedestrians lift and walk underneath POLICE barricade tape.

Send us a textOf the billions of people on earth, no one has the same fingerprints, not even identical twins. But fingerprint experts have identified there are only eight different types of patterns.WHOA !!!!!!What's going on here?As we shall see in this episode, it all begins to make sense as we delve into the minute world of the best crime fighting tool that law enforcement can have.

Introduction to Forensic Techniques

Introduction to Forensic Techniques

Send us a textTwenty years of my 32 year career in policing was spent in the Toronto Police Service Forensic Identification Service where I investigated crimes ranging from burglaries to sex crimes and murder. I was always struck by the portrayal of forensic investigators on crime TV shows. They were glamorous officers who could solve several major crimes within an hour.WHOA !!!!I'm not glamorous nor have I ever solved a crime in an hour.The series gives the reader better insight beginning with the first episode which defines evidence and how it should be treated by police at a crime scene and the role played by forensic investigators.