Crime Scene Forensics involves collecting, preserving, analyzing, and interpreting physical evidence to reconstruct events and support investigations.
1. Preserve and Secure the Scene
- Establish a perimeter, document the scene, and prevent contamination.
- Collect evidence using proper handling techniques (gloves, tweezers, evidence bags).
- Tools: Crime Scene Documentation Kit (Download), ScenePD (Download)
2. Collect and Extract Evidence
- Gather fingerprints, DNA samples, fibers, bloodstains, and trace materials.
- Capture high-resolution images and 3D scans of the scene.
- Tools: FARO Zone 3D (Download), PhotoModeler (Download)
3. Analyze Physical Evidence
- Process fingerprints, DNA, ballistics, and chemical substances.
- Reconstruct bullet trajectories, blood spatter, and event timelines.
- Tools: AFIS (Download), Hemospat (Download)
4. Recover and Restore Digital Evidence
- Extract data from devices found at the scene (phones, laptops, DVRs).
- Recover deleted files, communications, and location data.
- Tools: Cellebrite UFED (Download), Magnet AXIOM (Download)
5. Authenticate and Validate Evidence
- Verify evidence integrity with chain of custody documentation.
- Use forensic imaging and hashing techniques for digital evidence.
- Tools: FTK Imager (Download), HashCalc (Download)
6. Document and Report
- Create detailed crime scene diagrams, evidence logs, and analysis reports.
- Include timestamps, photos, and forensic analysis results for legal proceedings.
Open-Source Tools:
- ScenePD: Create digital crime scene diagrams. Download
- HashCalc: Compute file hashes for digital evidence validation. Download
Commercial Tools:
- FARO Zone 3D: Create 3D crime scene reconstructions. Download
- AFIS: Automated fingerprint identification system. Download
- Hemospat: Bloodstain pattern analysis software. Download
- Cellebrite UFED: Mobile device data extraction and analysis. Download
- Magnet AXIOM: Digital forensics for computers and mobile devices. Download