CSI and knife crime investigations

FORCEWIDE

Catching a Killer, Killer at the Crime Scene, CSI, NCIS, Forensics: The Real CSI– the list could go on, but most of us would have heard of at least one of these True Crime TV shows.

They all delve into the life of a crime scene investigator and our major crime team, tapping into our own investigative minds and true crime curiosity to give a (dramatized) insight into solving cases - catching killers, burglars, sexual predators, and ultimately getting justice for victims.

I’m sure you’re imagining the white suit, the tent, the masks, the police tape, and with the amount of shows out there, I’m sure a lot of us think we have a pretty good grip on the process, but do the shows always get it right? It’s not always about getting suited and booted, and did you know, a lot of the scene recovery can actually be done without the full suits?

We crossed over and went beyond the police line to understand the reality of how it all really works, and the processes of a crime scene that lead to catching some of the most prolific criminals and solving (or not) of the most complex cases, including those we focused on as part of our current knife crime campaign, What’s the point?

We are the second largest provider of crime scene investigation and forensics, second only to the MET with over 180 police staff members living and breathing the real CSI day in day out and helping solve a whole host of crimes across the region.

From murder and rape scenes, to burglaries, serious assaults, road traffic collisions, drug farms and everything in between, our CSI team is specially trained in capturing a variety of physical evidence such as blood, bodily fluids, hair, fingerprints, footprints, footwear and tyre tracks, drug, and firearm evidence, and more.

Area Forensic Manager Simon Watson gave us a real-world view of crime scene investigation and a behind-the-scenes insight into the work being done. He said: “CSI are part of the Regional Scientific Support Service which covers four police force areas in Yorkshire.  Day-to-day duties include the management and coordination of all matters relating to CSI and forensics; this includes the operational response to all crime types and in particular serious, complex, or major crime and critical incidents.  

“The CSI teams provides a 24-hour, seven days a week CSI and examination response to reported crimes, where CSI attendance will support the investigation and detection of that crime.

“We attend, assess, examine, record, and recover potential evidence from crime scenes in accordance with forensic regulation.

“The dedicated RSSS Control Room provide a prioritised response to all requests for CSI examination services and all requests come via our Force Control Room. This is important because the full incident log and relevant background checks need to be made before they come to us to see whether we need to be deployed.

“Crime Scene Managers (CSM) are available to discuss the requirements of the investigations and deliver bespoke forensic strategies, they also ensure CSI staff attending offences of serious crime identify potential fast track forensic evidential opportunities.

“CSI will routinely consider technical methods for the recovery of finger/palm/footwear marks and impressions, and blood/body fluids and cellular DNA material at volume crime scenes. The use of other technical methods such as particulates, glass, fibre and toolmark recovery will be dependent on information available to CSI at the time of their assessment, such as suspect arrests, seizure of clothing and recovery of tools.

“In short, we preserve, capture, and assess evidence at crime scenes using photography, forensic and identification techniques.

“We must develop and implement examination plans within each investigation so that we can assist the detectives, senior investigation officers and leaders in solving some of the most major and complex cases.

“We identify and recover evidence from investigations in line with agreed protocols to maintain the integrity, continuity, and security of the evidence for investigative processes and court proceedings. CSIs will record all aspects of the crime scene and ensure all findings are documented in a bespoke, detailed report which is available for the wider investigation. This supports the Criminal Justice process by providing accurate and timely Streamlined Forensic Reports (SFR), statements and other documentation.

“CSIs can also identify situations when specialist support is needed to advance an investigation.”

Go to the What's the point? knife crime campaign.