Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) Field Guide is a convenient and handy reference guide ideally suited for use in the field by crime scene investigators (CSI), both sworn and civilian. In addition to the field, it can also be used in the classroom as a comprehensive refresher as part of formal training.
A shift in personnel has occurred in forensic science over the past few years and the “old school” detectives, older sworn personnel, are retiring—leaving it to newer, younger, but more inexperienced civilian personnel to take their place. As a result, and as new technologies are developed and training advances, this book will help bridge the gap between the “new” and “old,” the classroom and the field. CSI training is broadly extensive, though it can often vary in depth. In addition, it is not possible for a CSI to retain absolutely everything that they have been taught while mentally processing the scene they are involved in. This book seeks to address this by covering information for troubleshooting photographs, evidence collection including what evidence to look for and process; and checklists for several types of scenes to ensure all necessary actions are taken.
A reliable reference to confirm steps, reference a chemical field test, or verify the necessary equipment required, the Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) Field Guide serves as an invaluable on-scene tool to any new or seasoned CSI professional.
Sarah Lambert holds a master’s degree in forensic science from Nebraska
Wesleyan University and worked as a crime scene investigator for over 12
years running all types of scenes. Sarah worked in Stockton, California, and
Houston, Texas for the Crime Scene Unit responding to all evidence-related
calls, including burglary, robbery, domestic violence, homicide, officer involved
shootings, as well as processing crime scene vehicles. Sarah is a
certified senior crime scene analyst and member through the International
Association for Identification (IAI) and a certified forensic manager 1 from
the National Forensic Science Academy.
Introduction
1. Equipment options
2. Arrival
3. Working the camera
4.Scene photograph Types
5. Scene specific photography
6. Subject photographs
7. Body trauma and injuries
8. Decomposition
9. Cause/manner/mechanism of death
10. Search Practices
11. General scene processing
12. Specific scene processing
13. Fire scene processing and evidence collection
14. Autopsy attendance
15. Sketch and measure
16. Scene video
17. Vehicle processing
18. Evidence values
19. General evidence collection, packaging, transport
20. Trace evidence types and collection
21. DNA Evidence Collection
22. Fingerprint evidence collection
23. Impression evidence collection
24. Bloodstain evidence
25. Firearms evidence collection
26. Document, printer, ink evidence
27. Entomology evidence collection
28. Digital Evidence
29. Mental health
30. Tips and Resources
Biography
Sarah Lambert holds a master’s degree in forensic science from Nebraska Wesleyan University, with a major in Behavioral Analysis and a minor in crime scene processing. She has 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 currently works 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.
