Crime Lab Personnel Functions and Responsibilities
1. Team Leader
a. Assumes control of the crime scene and ensure the safety of
personnel as well as the victims and offenders caught in the scene and secure the
crime scene from kibitzers;
b. Conducts initial survey of the crime scene for evaluating potential
evidence and narrative description of the place;
c. Determines search patterns to be used and designate assignments to
evidence gatherers;
d. Designates command post location in or near the crime scene and
insure exchange of information between searchers and investigators;
e. Coordinates with other law enforcements agencies for the security of
the victims, offenders/suspects, and the scene of the crime;
f. Ensures that sufficient supplies and equipment are made available for
personnel involved in SOCO;
g. Controls access to the scene and designates personnel to log persons
entering the place and to remove kibitzers in the area;
h. Continuously re-evaluates efficiency of the search and ensures that all
places are searched properly;
i. Releases the crime scene to the investigators handing the case.
2. Assistant Team Leader
a. Assists the team leader in all his functions and responsibilities;
b. Assumes/takes over the responsibilities of the Team Leader in his
absence.
3. Photographer and Photographic Log Recorder
a. Takes photograph of the entire area of the crime scene with overall,
medium, and close-up coverage using appropriate scale;
b. Takes photograph of victims, suspects/offenders arrested in the
scene;
c. Takes photograph of all evidence before collection;
d. Takes photograph of all latent finger prints and impression before
lifting or casting is made. Likewise, he takes photographs of blueprints, maps, and
other items;
e. Prepares photographic log and photographic sketch.
4. Sketcher
a. Performs all sketches necessary during the crime scene processing.
5. Evidence Recorder/Custodian
a. Prepares evidence recovery log and accomplishes chain of custody of
evidence;
b. Conducts packing, preservation, and transportation of gathered
evidence to the crime laboratory;
c. Coordinates evidence nomenclature with sketcher, photographer, and
evidence gatherer;
d. Receives and records all evidence recovered;
e. Maintains custody and control of evidence;
f. Observes the proper custody of evidence;
g. Coordinates transmittal of evidence to case investigator or to crime
laboratory, per agency guideline.
6. Evidence Recovery Personnel
a. Have significant evidence photographed before collection;
b. Keep team leader always apprised of significant evidence located;
c. Affixes initial and date in all evidence and turns them over to the
Evidence Recorder/Custodian after noting where the item was located;
d. Coordinates evidence nomenclature with Evidence
Recorder/Custodian and Sketch Preparer;
e. Ensures that appropriate safety measures are adhered to, especially
with respect to proper clothing including gloves.