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.
About the Author
Sarah Lambert, CSCSA, holds a master’s degree in forensic science from Nebraska Wesleyan University, with a major in Behavioral Analysis. She worked as a crime scene investigator for over 12 years running all types of scenes. She worked in Stockton, California for the Crime Scene Unit for 5 years responding to all evidence related calls, including burglary, robbery, domestic violence, homicide, and officer involved shootings. She worked in Houston, Texas processing major crime scenes including robbery, homicide and officer involved shootings as well as processing crime scene vehicles. She 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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