Special 2: Scene of Crime

Chair: Keith Fryer
Co chair: Wout Karelse

Crime Scene Investigation has a key role to play in the management and application of science at the very beginning of the forensic process. In addition, forensic science is increasingly used in unusual circumstances.

Scene of crime management
Crime scene management is a complex role with a wide range of responsibilities from managing resources, evidence recovery plans, strategies and staff welfare to risk assessments communication and advice to the Senior Investigating Officers.  It also directly impacts on submissions policies, priorities and costs.  Consequently effective management of the crime scene can produce results that direct an investigation and enable subsequent strategies to be established with a high degree of confidence.  This is an increasingly high profile and complex role with a critical impact at the start of the forensic process.  

Science at the crime scene
There is an increasing drive to bring more science to the crime scene.  Thanks to technological advances including miniaturisation and automation, analytical techniques can now move out of the laboratory to the scene.  However just because we can does this mean we should?  What are the implications for more rapid results for the wider investigation team and what are the risks of contamination or potentially lower quality standards for example.  Is an indication for glass, gun shot residues or a certain type of insect needed as soon as possible and in which circumstances. What are the risks?
Can science optimize the effective handling of a crime scene and the subsequent interpretation of results, perhaps with the use of Bayesian statistics?
Does science at the crime scene need to establish a new paradigm (2.0)

Unusual crime scenes
Crime scenes you’ve never heard or seen.  Experience and knowledge from colleagues who describe how they dealt with unusual circumstances may help you in the future.  Forensic Science is increasingly used to examine crime scenes in war zones and piracy cases for example, often resulting in different kinds of exhibits.  Examining scenes in countries with different cultures and judicial systems is becoming a more regular occurrence for all of us.
It can also include extraordinary crimes closer to home.  Did you use psychological advice when searching for evidence? Did CBRNE-risks influence decisions? Was the crime scene too big or too complex to handle using standard techniques?
    
The organizing committee therefore welcomes presentations, workshops and posters to explore and share innovative practices under these or any other headings that you consider important.