NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

If the crime scene commander determines a detective should be contacted,
he/she shall instruct the Dispatch Center to have a detective respond to the
crime scene. The dispatcher will advise the responding detective of the nature of
the crime scene and any relevant information that may assist the detective in
determining if additional equipment and personnel are needed.
After arriving at the crime scene and receiving a briefing from the crime scene
commander, the detective shall assume command of the crime scene and inform
the Dispatch Center of such. This ensures that one person is responsible for the
crime scene.
If the Chief of Police or other command staff arrive at the scene and wish to
assume command, he/she must notify the crime scene commander of such and
subsequently notify the Dispatch Center. If the Chief of Police or other command
staff arrive at a crime scene and do not assume command, he/she is presumed
to acquiesce authority of the crime scene to the crime scene commander.
C. Processing a Crime Scene
A detective will be requested to process a crime scene for physical evidence in the
following incidents:
Suicide
Rape
Robbery
Serious assaults
Burglary or breaking and entering (when appropriate)
Recovered stolen vehicles
Arson (upon request of fire department investigators)
The New Albany Police Department may utilize BCI&l, the Columbus Police Department,
and/or the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office when processing a serious crime scene (such
as a homicide) which may involve one or more victims.
The first task that must be completed is the initial walk through of the crime scene. This
shall be accomplished by the primary investigator. During the walk through, visual
observations should be made of the condition of the area. This should include:
Noting whether lights are on or off
Determining what temperature the thermostat is set
Indicating whether doors are locked or unlocked
Making visual observations of the condition of the premises (whether any items
appear out of place)
Determining what areas of the crime scene need to be processed and what
additional crime scene processing equipment needs to be obtained.
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