Even a seemingly trivial mistake in how physical evidence is collected and handled can jeopardise an entire criminal case. The authors present this guide to crime scene procedures, a practical handbook designed for all involved in such work.

Chapter 1General Crime Scene Considerations -- Types of Crime Scenes 2 -- Physical Evidence in a Criminal Investigation 6 -- Scentific Crime Scene Investigation 16 -- Chapter 2 Elements of Crime Scene Management -- Components of an Effective Crime Scene Management System 19 -- Information Management 19 -- Management of Manpower 38 -- Technology and Equipment Management 39 -- Management of Logistics 41 -- Chapter 3 General Crime Scene Procedures -- Role of the First Responding Officer 50 -- Initial Crime Scene Response 57 -- Crime Scene Communication 58 -- Legal Implications for Crime Scene Searches 61 -- Documentation of the Crime Scene 66 -- Crime Scene Search 66 -- Preliminary Reconstruction 67 -- Releasing the Scene 68 -- Crime Scene Investigative Team 68 -- Biohazards Associated with Crime Scenes 69 -- Chapter 4 Crime Scene Documentation -- Documentation Begins 74 -- Effective Note-Taking 74 -- Videography of the Crime Scene 78 -- Photographic Documentation 80 -- Sketching the Crime Scene 104 -- Chapter 5 Searching for Physical Evidence -- Objectives of a Crime Scene Search 113 -- General Concepts of Crime Scene Searches 118 -- Crime Scene Search Patterns 122 -- Practical Application of Crime Scene Searches 128 -- Chapter 6 Collection and Preservation of Physical Evidence -- General Considerations 131 -- Fingerprints 135 -- Impression Evidence 144 -- Hair and Fiber Evidence 151 -- Other Trace Evidence: Glass, Paint, and Soil 153 -- Firearms and Toolmarks 156 -- Biological Evidence: Blood, Booy Fluids and Tissue 161 -- Accelerants and Flammable Fluids 172 -- Explosive Material 174 -- Questioned Documents 174 -- Drug Evidence 177 -- Bitemark Evidence 178 -- Entomological Evidence 178 -- Chapter 7 Logic Trees -- General Concept 183 -- Common Features 183 -- Logic Tree Applications 185 -- Chapter 8 Field Tests and Enhancement Reagents -- Field Test Reagents 205 -- Pattern Enhancement Reagents 221 -- Legal and Scientific Considerations 230 -- Chapter 9 Special Scene Techniques -- Outdoor Crime Scenes 233 -- Fire and Explosive Scenes 249 -- Clandestine Drug Laboratores 256 -- Scenes Containing Biological/Chemical Agents 258 -- Scenes with Electronic and Computer Evidence 260 -- Chapter 10 Crime Scene Reconstruction -- Importance of Crime Scene Reconstruction 271 -- Nature of Reconstruction 272 -- Basic Principles for Physical Evidence and Reconstruction 272 -- Stages in Reconstruction 276 -- Types of Reconstruction 276 -- Pattern Evidence in Reconstruction 279 -- Shooting Scenes - Investigation and Reconstruction 305 -- Special Issues Associated with Police Officer-Involved Shootings 318 -- Requirements for Reconstructions After Crime Scene Released 319 -- Writing a Reconstruction Report 319 -- Appendix I Crime Scene Investigation Equipment Inventory 321 -- Appendix II Game Plan for Processing 325 -- Appendix III Resources and Supplies 333 -- Case Study 1 Partial Reconstruction (Focus Point: Blood Stain Pattern Analysis) 347 -- Case Study 2 Complete Reconstruction (Focus Point: Shooting Scene Reconstructions) 365 -- Case Study 3 Limited Reconstruction (Focus Point: Location of Physical Evidence) 399.