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Crime Scene Investigator

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Crime scene investigation is the meeting point between science, logic and law. Processing a crime scene is and long and tedious process and is the job of crime scene investigators (CSI). CSI has the responsibilities of collecting, documenting, preserving, reconstructing and presenting evidence. It is their job to examine any physical evidence that could remotely shed any light on what happened and who is responsible. There are no typical crime scenes, evidence or investigative approaches and every crime scene should be approached in a systematic sense. According to Robert R. Ogle Jr., a crime scene search is defined as a systematic, methodical search for any physical evidence at a crime scene.

Before the job of CSI can begin, there has to be a crime committed. For instance, CSI are on call for murder scene investigations to collect and examine evidence. When CSI is contacted, their job begins. Evidence is a major part in any investigation. Without evidence, a case can grow cold quick. Anything can be evidence and when in a crime scene, everything should be treated as such. Evidence has many different categories: trace, firearm, impression, drug and alcohol, document, and biological fluids. All of these categories of evidence play an important part in finding out valuable information towards solving a case.

The most important aspect of evidence collection and preservation is protecting the crime scene. When first approaching a crime scene, first responders should secure the scene after detaining any suspects and seeking medical for any injured party. (Ogle, Jr.) Police officers are typically the first to arrive at a crime scene and are responsible for securing the scene so no evidence is contaminated or destroyed. After the scene is secure and CSI arrives, they can begin processing the crime scene.

Before collection of evidence begins, everything should be

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