Table Of ContentS E V E N T H E D I T I O N
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CRIME SCENE
INVESTIGATION
© 2004 by CRC Press LLC
S E V E N T H E D I T I O N
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CRIME SCENE
INVESTIGATION
Barry A. J. Fisher
Crime Laboratory Director
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Los Angeles, California
with a foreword by
Leroy D. Baca
Sheriff of Los Angeles County
CRC PR ESS
Boca Raton London New York Washington, D.C.
© 2004 by CRC Press LLC
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Fisher, Barry A. J.
Techniques of crime scene investigation / Barry A.J. Fisher ; with a foreword by Leroy
D. Baca.—7th ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8493-1691-X (alk. paper)
1. Crime scene searches. 2. Criminal investigation. I. Title.
HV8073.F49 2003
363.25'2—dc21
2003047262
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Library of Congress Card Number 2003047262
Printed in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Printed on acid-free paper
© 2004 by CRC Press LLC
Dedication
This book is dedicated to the unsung heroes of the criminal justice
system — those men and women who through the application
of science and technology bring criminals to justice and protect
those wrongfully accused.
© 2004 by CRC Press LLC
Foreword
Forensic science has been an ally of law enforcement agencies for decades. That relationship
has grown even stronger with the startling new advancements in science and technology.
Law enforcement agencies throughout the world rely heavily on forensic science to assist
in solving the most complex crimes while sorting out elaborate crime scenes. To an
untrained eye, many of these crime scenes appear to contain little or no evidence. However,
upon closer inspection by these highly skilled, trained professionals, unseen evidence —
hair, skin, bodily fluids, microscopic fibers, and traces of seemingly insignificant items are
revealed as important pieces of the puzzle. The long arm of the law becomes even longer
in large measure because of the dedication and commitment of these forensic professionals.
Needless to say, law enforcement owes a debt of gratitude to the forensic professionals
working on our team. We enjoy a very productive relationship with experts in all the areas
of forensic science and crime scene investigations: fingerprint identification, forensic pho-
tography, questioned documents, firearms, toxicology, narcotics analysis, forensic DNA
testing, and trace evidence examination.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has been especially fortunate to have
Barry A.J. Fisher as the director of our Scientific Services Bureau, one of the largest
municipal crime laboratories in the nation. I am honored to offer this brief commentary
for his latest publication, the seventh edition of Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation.
His unfettered and candid pledge to the field of forensic science is evident in this latest
edition. This volume also highlights some of the latest techniques of forensic science and
discusses our latest concerns in handling potential terrorism crime scenes that may contain
chemical or biological agents and evidence.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is fortunate to have leaders like Barry
Fisher, who consistently strives to initiate advancements in his areas of expertise and
educate others to radiate the same commitments and traditions.
Leroy D. Baca
Sheriff of Los Angeles County
© 2004 by CRC Press LLC
Preface
Readers may ask why I wrote a new edition; after all, crime scene investigation is a static
field with few changes. True enough. There have been DNA advances and other develop-
ments in forensic science. However, new practitioners and students of crime scene inves-
tigations and forensic science must be aware of two increasingly important issues:
increasing judicial reviews of science and technology in the courtroom and the specter of
terrorism and weapons of mass destruction with which first responders, forensic scientists
and medical examiners will be faced. September 11, 2001, has shown us that the unthink-
able is indeed possible.
Having said all this, criminal investigations remain a complex undertaking and require
professionals from many disciplines to work cooperatively toward one common goal. The
effective use of science and technology is a critical element to crime solving. Police inves-
tigators and prosecutors must be able to use this resource to its full potential.
Science and technology applied to the solution of criminal acts — forensic science —
solve crimes and potentially save lives. Scientific crime scene investigation aids police
investigators in identifying suspects and victims of crimes, clearing innocent persons of
suspicion and ultimately bringing the wrongdoers to justice. When the justice system is
able to remove a criminal from society, innocent persons do not become new victims of
criminal acts.
This book is about the proper and effective use of science and technology in support
of the police. The seventh edition of Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation is written for
students of crime scene investigation, police investigators, crime scene technicians, and
forensic scientists. The material presented in this text is basic, covering the proper ways to
examine crime scenes and collect a wide variety of physical evidence that may be encoun-
tered at crime scenes. It cannot cover every possible situation and is a guide. The areas are
discussed in general terms in order to give the reader some idea of the information that
can be developed from physical evidence if it is collected properly. Few of the procedures
mentioned in the book are inviolable.
Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation is a classic book on how to use forensic science
to investigate crimes. The text was first published in Swedish in 1949 by Chief Superin-
tendent Arne Svensson, director of the Laboratory, Criminal Investigation Department,
and Superintendent Otto Wendel, Criminal Investigation Department, Stockholm, Swe-
den. In 1955 it was printed in English as Crime Detection and then revised into a second,
expanded American Edition under the title Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation in 1965.
In 1981 I was invited to revise it in a third edition and subsequently into fourth, fifth, and
sixth editions. This seventh edition is the fifth revision I have had the privilege to write.
The latest edition of Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation continues a half-century
tradition of providing useful techniques, procedures and suggestions on how to locate,
document, collect and process physical evidence associated with criminal acts. This edition
© 2004 by CRC Press LLC
continues in that tradition. It updates some of the new areas in the field and covers some
new topics while keeping intact those areas that have not changed greatly. I have also added
some new photographs to illustrate certain areas of the text.
Some of the topics included in this edition include:
• Discussion on professional ethics
• Challenges facing forensic science laboratories and suggestions for addressing them
• Expert witness testimony
• Health and safety issues at crime scenes
• Forensic DNA testing
• Forensic databases
• Elder abuse
• Forensic science and terrorist acts
Another feature new to this edition is a companion CD developed by Dr. Jane Homeyer
and Sarah Mikolajczyk: CAT3, Creative Approaches to Teaching, Training & Testing, Inc.
This new concept of a traditional textbook with a CD that mirrors the major topics
represents a 21st century approach to learning that we hope is seen as a big plus for our
readers. The CD can be purchased directly from CRC Press.
The use of forensic science in criminal investigations depends on a number of factors.
Police investigators must be knowledgeable about the capabilities of the forensic science
support services available to them and appreciate how to use them effectively. Forensic
practitioners must be familiar with police investigative procedures, the science that sup-
ports their own activities, and the legal aspects needed to get the information from the
scene and in the lab to the jury. Prosecutors must understand the scientific and techno-
logical issues of the case and be able to work with the expert in order to admit expert
testimony into court. Police agencies that run forensic science labs must fund them at an
appropriate level to ensure quality, reliable, and timely service to the criminal justice
system. All of these efforts require the cooperation and willingness of different professionals
within the criminal justice system to work well together. Those of us who apply science
and technology to the solution of crimes have a duty to do our best for the criminal justice
system we serve.
© 2004 by CRC Press LLC
