Crime Scene Investigations

Good Morning,

Every contact leaves a trace… 🔎

We sat down with Martin Jefferson, our Area Forensic Manager to learn more about his role and what we can all do if we're ever in the awful situation of our homes' being burgled.

1) Please provide an outline of your role, and how the forensic team support burglary and theft investigations. 

As the Area Forensic Manager (AFM) for North Yorkshire I manage, develop, advise and co-ordinate on all matters relating to the provision of Regional Scientific Support Services (RSSS) and Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) resources in response to operational, major crime and critical incidents. 

RSSS, or the Forensic Team, provide a comprehensive response to support burglary and theft investigations 24/7 throughout the Yorkshire and the Humber (YatH) region.

From the initial contact via our dedicated RSSS Control Room, through scene examinations and evidence recovery by our CSIs, forensic assessment of exhibits recovered from scenes and / or suspects by the Forensic Assessment Unit (FAU), going via the Exhibit Management Unit (EMU), fingerprint and footwear identifications by the Identification (ID) Bureau, DNA work performed by our DNA Recovery Laboratory (DRL), specialist photography performed by the Imaging Unit, enhancement of marks by the Forensic Enhancement Laboratory (FEL), with any results being reported by the Forensic Intelligence Unit back out to the Investigating Officer and ultimately to the victim of the burglary or theft.  

The RSSS Control Room Operator and the assigned CSI will be the team members who have direct contact with those reporting a burglary or theft. 

2) Please explain what forensics is, and what evidence could be left after a burglary in a home.

In general terms, forensics is the science applied in criminal investigations – from the collection of evidence, analysing the evidence and presenting the findings in court. 

“Every contact leaves a trace” – this is Locard’s Law and the principle upon which forensics is built. 

A criminal may leave various evidence types after committing a burglary of a home including fingerprints, footwear marks and DNA (blood or saliva). Some, or all, of these evidence types may be latent – not immediately obvious or visible – but these can be developed by the attending CSI using specialist techniques. 

3) What is the first step in the forensic process when the team arrive at the home?

When the CSI arrives at a property that has been subject to a burglary, they will first introduce themselves to the person(s) at the property and then look to establish how the offender(s) have entered and exited the premises, where the offender(s) are believed to have been within the property and what has been moved. The CSI will then examine all suitable surfaces and items in order to locate any evidence left by the offender(s) which could be used to identify them or place them at the scene. 

4) What would be your top tips for the public when it comes to preserving forensics in their home?

The top tips for preserving a scene for forensic examination by a CSI are: 

· Don’t touch or move anything that the offender(s) may have handled

· If possible do not walk on hard floors (vinyl/laminate/wood/tiled) where the offender(s) have been 

· The RSSS Control Operator will be able to advise on what can be moved or not

5) What is the best way to preserve evidence if it’s outside their home, such as a footwear mark in soil?

If the offender(s) have left footwear marks outside a property it is best to leave them as they are, unless inclement weather is forecast. If it is raining, the complainant can cover any marks with something that won’t come directly into contact with the mark – for example an upturned washing up bowl, bucket or container.  

6) If a window is still open and has been used as an entry and/or exit point, what is the best course of action for the homeowner to take?

Again, the best thing to do is to leave the window as it is found - open. If you need to close the window (if you are going out, it is raining/cold/windy) then put on a glove or place a bag over your hand and pull/push the window closed, making contact away from where you would naturally touch if climbing through the window. 

7) What should the homeowner do if they have had to move any evidence prior to your arrival?

If anything has had to be moved prior to CSI arrival please make the CSI aware of this (they may need to take what are known as “elimination samples”). 

There will be certain items that are okay to move, for example items of clothing moved by the offender(s) when searching or bedding. If CSI aren’t able to attend immediately please ask the RSSS Control Operator if there are any items or areas you need to access and they will be able to advise the best course of action.

If you have to move something, for example something that the offender(s) have moved outside, wear gloves or place a bag over your hands and handle the item away from where you would normally expect to carry/handle it.  

8) What information is helpful for you and your team to know from the homeowner, and what questions are you likely to ask?

Where have the offender(s) been?

What items have moved? 

What has been taken/targeted? 

Have the offender(s) left anything behind? E.g. tools

Is there any CCTV?

If you can - leave it, if you can’t leave it - cover it and if you must - move it (but only if safe to do so)