PHYSICAL EVIDENCE MANUAL - Crime Scene Investigator Network

Physical Evidence Manual
Examine and take note of the following. It may help to divide the interior into
quadrants and search each quadrant from ceiling to floor.
• Examine exterior of vehicle. Look for transfer evidence relevant to the
case (e.g. paint from a hit and run vehicle, clothing impressions on the
plastic of a front bumper, hair caught on the broken edge of windshield
glass, etc.).
• Tire information for all tires including manufacturer, type, size, and tire
pressure. Make an exemplar from each tire if it will be needed to compare
to tire track evidence. 5
• Position of seat(s), tilt wheel, and rear view mirror.
• Condition and position of windows (broken, rolled up/down, etc.).
• Vacuum or tape lift each quadrant for trace evidence. 6
• Examine interior of vehicle.
• Examine engine compartment
• Examine trunk
• Examine undercarriage of vehicle
• Take known standards from the upholstery, carpet, or other vehicle for
possible later comparisons if needed.
Postmortem Examinations
Photograph the following:
• Full body photographs of victim as delivered to the postmortem
examination.
• Full body photographs of victim unclothed, before and after clean up.
• Mid-range and close-up photographs of exterior wounds and/or identifying
marks (e.g. tattoos) with and without a scale.
• Photograph any body parts or evidence requested by the Medical
Examiner (e.g. bullets, bullet tracks, etc.).
It is recommended that the following evidence be collected during a postmortem
examination. Remember that the postmortem examination may be the only (or
last) chance to collect this evidence, so it is prudent to collect more than you
think you need, rather than less, in these situations.
• Blood standard. Collect at least one lavender/purple stoppered tube for a
DNA standard.
• Blood sample for blood alcohol determination. Collect at least one gray
stoppered tube.
5 See “Footwear and Tire Tread Evidence – Exemplars and Standards.”
6 See “Fiber Evidence – Collection of Fiber Evidence.”
Adopted: May 2002
Revisions: 6
Last Revision: January 31, 2008
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