CRIME SCENE CHECK LIST
by M/SGT Hayden B. Baldwin, Retired
Illinois State Police
 
 "INTERVIEW, EXAMINE, PHOTOGRAPH, SKETCH, PROCESS"

 
BURGLARY CHECK LIST (B & E) 
 

1. Photograph 
2. Tool Marks 
3. Paint Standards 
4. Safe Insulation Standards 
5. Foot Prints 
6. Tire Tracks		 7.   Fingerprints (Latents) 
8.   Glass Standards 
9.   Soil Standards 
10. Hairs and Fibers 
11. Other evidence relative to crime
 
 

HOMICIDE CHECK LIST 
 

1. 1-9 on Burglary Check List 
2. Hair Standard 
3. Fingernail Scrapings 
4. Blood Standards 
5. Blood Sample (Scene) 
6. Close-up Photos of wounds 
7. Clothing of Victim		 8.   Clothing of Suspect 
9.   Other evidence relative to crime 
10. Weapons 
11. Major Case Prints 
12. Identification Photos 
13. Attend Autopsy/Collect Evidence
 
 

SEXUAL ASSAULT CHECK LIST 
 

1. Clothing of Victim 
2. Clothing of Suspect 
3. All Stains Present 
4. Location of Occurrence 
5. Sexual Assault Kit 
6. Suspects Standards 
7. Fingernail Scrapings		 8.   All Bloodstains 
9.   Bed Linens 
10. Latent Prints 
11. Hairs and Fibers 
12. If forced entry to structure then 
      include 1-9 on burglary check list 
 
 
 
           PRIMARY SCENE                                                           SECONDARY SCENE
 
The above "Crime Scene Check List" is in reality a "reminder" list. The list is intended for those officers who responsible for the identification, protection, and collection of the evidence form the various crime scenes. IT IS NOT A SHOPPING LIST ! The crime laboratories do not want one of each item! This list is strictly to remind the officer what he may have forgotten or overlooked before he leaves the crime scene.

The beginning of the list has the 5 step protocol for the processing of ALL crime scenes, INTERVIEW, EXAMINE, PHOTOGRAPH, SKETCH & PROCESS. This protocol is further explained by another paper, hyper-linked here.

The bottom of the Check List are the terms Primary & Secondary. Again meant as a reminder to officers that all crime scenes have two areas to the scene, the PRIMARY area, where the crime was committed or where the body is located, and a SECONDARY area, all avenue's leading to the scene / body. For instance, if there is a deceased body in a room, the primary scene is where the body is located and the secondary area is the other rooms of the structure PLUS the outdoor area where the suspect had enter or leave the building. The secondary area is usually quite large and is seldom properly identified or protected.

Under the heading of "Sexual Assaults" there is the term "location of occurrence". This again is trying to remind the officer that some evidence may be different for the location, i.e., Motel room, victim's bedroom, suspect's bedroom, suspect's/victim's car or and outdoor scene, all of these present their own share of problems and circumstances.
 

 
 If you have comments or suggestions,email me at hbaldwin@feinc.net 
 
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