Hello, everybody!!! Welcome back to STEM on the Streets! My name is Aiza Jamil and this is my partner CAI! If you have not read part one, go ahead and click on the button to go and read it!
Crime Scene Ettiquettes
Before we get into the Chemical Paint case (the one we were doing last episode) we need to understand crime etiquette. Crime etiquettes are rules and precautions forensics scientists must follow at a crime scene. In the last episode, we discussed attire or protective suits while present at a ✨CRIME✨ scene.
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: Wha- wait- Aiza, hold up.
Yeah?
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: Why are there sparkles around 'crime'?
Cause we like pazzazz!!
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: There are so many other words to add pazzazz to!!!
I understand but some words deserve more pazzazz!!
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: What words? ✨MURDER✨? ✨ARSON✨??
✨BATMAN✨ too.
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: No you can't add pazzazz to those words!!!
Listen, CAI, I am a teenager deprived of both sleep and sunlight- let me add pazzazz to whatever I want.
<(＿ ＿)>CAI: This is not very nice of you, Aiza, you should at least try and listen to me.
Yes, I understand, CAI. How about you tell us about crime scene etiquette?
ヾ(≧▽≦*)oCAI: I would love to!!!
So today you will learn-
Wait, Aiza, am I doing this on my own?
Yeah! Your very first solo episode!!
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: Wait what?! You can't do that!
Hehehe, yes I can.
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: Why aren't you going to do it with me?
I have to go and start my meth empire, now stop dilly-dallying and get on with the episode- toodles!!
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: My apologies, NOW we shall get into the episode. Today you will learn:
Scene Securing
Evidence Collecting
Documentation
Scene Securing
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: Securing the scene is very important so that people other than authorized personnel aren't allowed to access it and tamper with the crucial evidence.
Here is how they do it:
Typically, the first responders establish entry and exit points to the scene. Following this, they conduct a thorough walk-through of the area alongside the first responding and/or investigating officer to assess the situation. During this process, they carefully determine if there is a need for personal protective equipment to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Once again, all of this is done so that unauthorized people don't come and tamper with the evidence. Evidence is a crucial part of a crime scene and if tampered with may not paint a proper picture to let us know what really happened!
Evidence Collecting
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: To collect evidence an assortment of tools are used such as:
Tweezers and Forceps:
Tiny tools like tweezers and forceps are used to delicately pick up small items like hair, fibres, and other trace evidence without contaminating or damaging them.
Scalpels and Scissors:
Scissors and scalpels are handy for snipping samples or sections of materials like clothing or other objects that might hold evidence.
Swabs and Cotton-tipped Applicators:
Swabs and cotton-tipped applicators are great for collecting biological samples such as blood, saliva, and other bodily fluids.
Sterile Containers and Bags:
You can keep your collected evidence safe and secure in sterile containers and bags, made of paper or plastic, to prevent contamination or loss.
Fingerprint Kits:
These kits have everything you need to develop and lift latent fingerprints from different surfaces, including brushes, powders, lifting tape, and backing cards.
DNA Collection Kits:
These kits contain sterile swabs, collection vials, and preservation solutions specifically designed for collecting and storing DNA evidence.
Electrostatic Dust Print Lifter:
This handy tool is used to lift and preserve dust impressions from surfaces, like shoe prints on floors.
As evidence is a very crucial part of an investigation, it must go through important procedures (transportation, collection, etc.):
The evidence collection process involves labelling evidence with identifying information and packaging it securely in tamper-evident containers. Different types of evidence require specific packaging materials, and containers are sealed with evidence tape and signed by the collecting officer. A chain of custody form is completed for each piece of evidence to track its handling from collection to analysis, including details such as date, time, purpose of transfer, and signatures of individuals involved. All movements of the evidence are logged to ensure a continuous record of its handling.
Evidence is transported with extremely secure vehicles.
Documentation
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: Last but not least, documen-
Hey, Aiza, what was that noise?
Oh, CAI, nothing to worry about. I am just watching an informative series to aid my meth empire's construction.
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: That sounded like Netflix, what are you watching?
Breaking Bad- like for educational purposes.
(￣o￣) CAI: Aiza, you do know that for obvious reasons they haven't named the ACTUAL chemicals to make drugs?
Well, now I do.
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: So maybe you want to come and write this blog with me now?
No not really, I am going to go and try to create some other sort of cartel... or cult... oooh how does a book cult sound?
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: You mean a book club?
No, a book cult. I can't explain it to you right now I must go and create it!!! FAREWELL, CAI!!!
<(＿ ＿)>CAI: Farewell... Aiza...
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: Now that our problem is gone, let's get to documentation!!
Sometimes the scientific evidence isn't enough, that is why observation is a key skill in forensics science also why it is important to document the crime scene.
Cameras:
High-resolution cameras are used to photograph the crime scene, evidence, and the positions of items to document everything before evidence is collected.
Video Recorders:
Used to capture an overall view of the crime scene, providing context and showing the spatial relationships of evidence.
Sketch Pads and Measuring Tools:
Graph paper, measuring tapes, and rulers are used to create scaled sketches of the crime scene, showing the placement and dimensions of evidence.
Oh hey CAI! Lovely, job you did back there!
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: Thanks
Well, that is all for today, folks! Stay tuned for the next episode!
This is Aiza Jamil, signing out!
I'm a forensics sleuth, what's your mystery to solve?
(off script)
Hey CAI! Why'd you call me a problem?!!
(✿◡‿◡)CAI: I wasn't wrong was I?
...