SCILUMINATE ON CARTRIDGE
About the Book
Crime Scene Investigation is a demanding discipline—one in which mistakes can mean justice delayed or denied. In the United States alone, over 50% of murders in 2020 went unsolved[1]. Homicide clearance rates have steadily declined since the 1960s, leaving nearly 346,000 cases of homicide and non-negligent manslaughter unresolved between 1965 and 2023[2]. With more and more advanced technologies at our disposal, it is expected that we are able to leverage those tools to improve these numbers. Yet, technology alone is not enough—the integrity and precision of every Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) remains irreplaceable.
This field guide is designed to support CSIs in the complex and high-stakes process of scene investigation. Your role is critical. Once a scene is processed and released, it cannot be “revisited.” Every detail matters. Every piece of evidence must be collected, documented, and preserved with the utmost care and integrity. The families impacted by these crimes deserve no less.
This guide is meant to be practical—a working tool for you in the field. It is designed to allow you to: jot down notes, reminders, contact information, even doodles if they help you think. It does not replace formal training, written protocols, or agency-specific procedures.
This guide consolidates insights from a diverse group of investigators, researchers, crime scene investigators, and educators. It encompasses methods ranging from advanced technological approaches to cost-effective solutions, recognizing the varied resources available to different agencies. I hope this guide serves as a valuable tool in the field, makes a significant contribution to ongoing investigations, and helps shape future investigative practices through the experiences of those who have preceded us.
[1] Schilke, Rachel. "Half of US Homicides Go Unsolved, Ranking Last among Western Nations." Washington Examiner, 6 Mar. 2023. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2576215/half-of-us-homicides-go-unsolved-ranking-last-among-western-nations/
[2] Murder Accountability Project. “Murder Accountability Project.” Murder Data, www.murderdata.org.
You will find lists of equipment you may need in the field for reference in Chapter 1:
Scales/Rulers—Regularly Verify with NIST Traceable Ruler or Calibrate Equipment
• ABFO #2 L scale—good for trace evidence, bite marks, bullet defects
• 300 mm L scale—good for damage, footwear, tire mark
• 6” scale of various colors, with circle on end—gray good for color metering, color chart good for injury photographs[i]
• Handheld measuring tape, retractable 50 and 100 ft
[i] https://arrowheadforensics.com/plastic-photo-documentation-scale—gray-with-color-chart/.
You will find decomposition changes to be on the look out for on scene:
Hair Changes
Postmortem Root Band—Discoloration of Root That Occurs during Decomposition Process
• Appearance—dark “band” section near root, occurs in humans and animals
• Collect hairs and allow laboratory to determine presence
• Delayed by water/freezing conditions, hastened by hot conditions
Body Position Changes
Cadaveric Spasm—Agonal Grasp, Dying Grasp
• Usually occurs in deaths with great panic or tension
• Body goes into instant rigor and the item in the hand at time of death stays clenched in the hand
• Examples: Clenched fist holding last items such as grass, hair, sheets, and handgun
• Not re-creatable, not stageable
You will find lists possible evidence values for common items to reference in Chapter 18:
BONES
· DNA for identification
· Sex/race/age of deceased
· Tool marks used for destruction
BOOKS
· Fingerprints from cover and pages
· Content can show you preferences and interests
· Pages with handwriting/markings can have locations, numbers, dates, etc.
You will find information on Entomology samples, land and water, to reference in Chapter 27:
AQUATIC ACTIVITY
FACTS TO CONSIDER FOR AQUATIC INSECTS AND WILDLIFE
· Collect LIVE and DEAD samples if collecting samples
· Aquatic insects don’t always feed on body, often use for habitat which can still give indication of timeline, locations body traveled, location of dump, etc.
· Sea snakes, jellyfish and Man-o-war can be found with bodies in ocean water. They can make marks resembling trauma to the body. Blood worms can appear as fibers or hair.
· Larvae can be found on body underneath the algae and residue left on skin after removal from water
You will find checklists for processing throughout to ensure you have covered all needed areas prior to leaving the scene:
CHECKLIST - VEHICLE ACCIDENT SCENE PHOTOGRAPHS
¨ Camera settings accurate – date/time, new file, settings, normal lens (50mm), detachable flash, additional lighting
¨ Cover page
SCENE PHOTOS
¨ Show approach for all parties and viewpoint from all witness locations
¨ Fixed location – intersection signs/utility pole with number/hydrant with number
¨ Series moving along path of travel from approach to impact for all vehicles/pedestrians
¨ Resting location of vehicle in scene - show from more than 1 angle
¨ All points of impact to roadway and/or vehicles
About the Author
Sarah Lambert, CSCSA, holds a master’s degree in forensic science from Nebraska Wesleyan University. She worked as a crime scene investigator for over 12 years running all types of scenes. Lambert worked in Stockton, California for the Crime Scene Unit and Houston, Texas responding to calls including burglary, robbery, domestic violence, homicide, officer involved shootings as well as processing crime scene vehicles. Lambert is a certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst through the International Association for Identification (IAI) and a certified Forensic Manager 1 from the National Forensic Science Academy (NFSA).
Can be contacted at sarah@csifieldguide.com.
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