Introduction

Imagine you are a law enforcement officer and have just arrived at the scene of the crime. What should you do first?

  1. Separate the witnesses
  2. Scan the scene
  3. Sketch the scene
  4. Secure the scene

a male police officer and a female police officer talking to a young man at night with a police car with lights flashing behind them

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • List the 7 S's for analyzing a crime scene.
  • Explain when a warrant should be obtained prior to performing a crime scene investigation.

Essential Questions

  • What systematic method should be used to investigate a crime scene?

Enduring Understandings

  • Evidence must be collected in a specific and strategic manner, as well as systematically documented, in order to ensure that no tampering or contamination occurs.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Forensic Science and Crime Scene Investigation standards: 9, 13.