A Guide for Explosion and Bombing Scene Investigation

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xii Section C. Evaluating the Scene .......................................................... 19 1. Define the Investigator Role ..................................................... 19 2. Ensure Scene Integrity .............................................................. 20 3. Conduct the Scene Walkthrough ............................................... 21 4. Secure Required Resources....................................................... 21 Section D. Documenting the Scene ...................................................... 23 1. Develop Written Documentation .............................................. 23 2. Photograph/Videotape the Scene .............................................. 23 3. Locate and Interview Victims and Witnesses ............................ 24 Section E. Processing Evidence at the Scene ...................................... 27 1. Assemble the Evidence Processing Team ................................. 27 2. Organize Evidence Processing .................................................. 28 3. Control Contamination ............................................................. 28 4. Identify, Collect, Preserve, Inventory, Package, and Transport Evidence ................................................................ 29 Section F. Completing and Recording the Scene Investigation ........ 33 1. Ensure That All Investigative Steps Are Documented .............. 33 2. Ensure That Scene Processing Is Complete .............................. 34 3. Release the Scene ...................................................................... 35 4. Submit Reports to the Appropriate National Databases ........... 35 Appendix A. Sample Forms ................................................................. 37 Appendix B. Further Reading ............................................................. 47 Appendix C. List of Organizations ..................................................... 49 Appendix D. Investigative and Technical Resources ......................... 51
Introduction “I had imagined that Sherlock Holmes would have at once hurried into the house and plunged into a study of the mystery. Nothing appeared to be further from his intention. He lounged up and down the pavement and gazed vacantly at the ground, the sky, the opposite houses. Having finished his scrutiny, he proceeded slowly down the path, keeping his eyes riveted on the ground.” Dr. Watson A Study in Scarlet Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes, the master of detectives, considered it essential to be excruciatingly disciplined in his approach to looking for evidence at a crime scene. While it is imperative that all investigators apply discipline in their search for evidence, it is apparent that few do so in the same way. Currently, there are no nationally accepted guidelines or standard practices for conducting explosion or bombing scene investigations. Professional training exists through Federal, State, and local agencies responsible for these investigations, as well as through some organizations and academic institutions. The authors of this Guide strongly encourage additional training for public safety personnel. Purpose and Scope The principal purpose of this Guide is to provide an investigative outline of the tasks that should be considered at every explosion scene. They will ensure that proper procedures are used to locate, identify, collect, and preserve valuable evidence so that it can be examined to produce the most useful and effective information—best practices. This Guide was designed to apply to explosion and bombing scene investigations, from highly complex and visible cases, such as the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, to those that attract less attention and fewer resources but may be just as complex for the investigator. Any guide addressing investigative procedures must ensure that 1
Page 1 and 2: U.S. Department of Justice Office o
Page 3 and 4: About the National Institute of Jus
Page 5 and 6: Julie E. Samuels Acting Director Da
Page 7 and 8: iv In developing its investigative
Page 9 and 10: Technical Working Group for Bombing
Page 11 and 12: Acknowledgments The National Instit
Page 13: Contents Message From the Attorney
Page 17 and 18: eached a high of 2,438 in 1994 and
Page 19 and 20: Technical Working Group for Bombing
Page 21 and 22: ◆ Documenting the scene. ◆ Proc
Page 23 and 24: A Guide for Explosion and Bombing S
Page 25 and 26: Section A. Procuring Equipment and
Page 27 and 28: ◆ Measuring equipment (e.g., fore
Page 29 and 30: Section B. Prioritizing Initial Res
Page 31 and 32: Summary: To ensure safety, first re
Page 33 and 34: Section C. Evaluating the Scene Not
Page 35 and 36: 3. Conduct the Scene Walkthrough Pr
Page 37 and 38: Section D. Documenting the Scene 1.
Page 39 and 40: C. Establish each witness’ relati
Page 41 and 42: 28 2. Organize Evidence Processing
Page 43 and 44: 30 ◆ Packaging method. ◆ Miscel
Page 45 and 46: Section F. Completing and Recording
Page 47 and 48: 3. Release the Scene Principle: The
Page 49 and 50: Appendix A. Sample Forms Following
Page 51 and 52: Date: Starting Time: Platoon: OCA o
Page 53: ACTIVITY LOG (Continued) 41
Page 58 and 59: 46 (Continued)
Page 60 and 61: 48 National Fire Protection Associa
Page 62 and 63: 50 Jefferson Parish (LA) Fire Depar
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52 International Association of Ars
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A Guide for Explosion and Bombing Scene Investigation

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