An Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction for the Criminal Profiler

Examples of Types of Reconstruction:

• Blood and Blood Stain Pattern Analysis^17,18
  • Identity of victim/offender.
  • Position and location of the victim.
  • Position and location of the offender.
  • Movement by the victim/offender in the scene.
  • May identify the location of the scene (if the victim is removed and left elsewhere).
  • May indicate a staged or secondary scene.
  • Minimum number of blows struck.
  • Type of weapon used.
• Documents^19,20
  • Reassemble torn/shredded papers.
  • Recovery of obliterated writing.
• Firearms^21,22
  • Trajectory.
  • Shooting distance.
  • Position and location of the victim.
  • Position and location of the offender.
  • Sequence of shots.
  • Direction of shots.
  • Possibility that the wound(s) could have been self-inflicted.
  • Identification of weapon used may link serial cases.
• Functional Evidence²³
  • Does the weapon or vehicle function properly?
  • Semi-automatic with slide locked back may indicate last round was fired.
  • TV or coffee pot on at scene.
  • Do door/window locks properly secure?
• Glass^24,25
  • Direction of break (from which side of the glass).
  • Sequence of shots (it should be noted that current research indicates that sequencing of shots through laminated automotive glass is not reliable).
• Impression Evidence (Fingerprints, shoe prints, tire tracks).
  • Identity of victim/offender.
  • Place victim/offender at the scene and at specific sites in the scene.
  • Fingerprints may indicate where the offender/victim was in the scene or how an object was held.
  • Shoe prints may show location in and movement through the scene.
  • Tire tracks may show vehicle position and direction of travel and may indicate the type of vehicle driven.
• Ligature²⁶
  • Type of ligature used (if missing).
  • Use of same/similar ligature can be used to link serial cases.
  • Type of ligature used may indicate offender’s occupation or interests. (i.e. rope tied with knots commonly used by dock workers or climbers).
• Pathology²⁷
  • Manner of death (Homicide, Suicide, Natural, Accidental).
  • Time of death (approximate).
  • Cause of death/weapon used.
  • Time before incapacitation from wounds (approximate).
  • Whether injuries were sustained pre- or post-mortem.
  • Identity and/or age of victim.
  • Was victim sexually assaulted, and in what manner.
  • Possibility that the wound(s) could have been self-inflicted.
• Physical Match (Reassembly of broken objects). ²⁸
  • Bombs.
  • Vehicle lamps, mirrors and windows.
  • Aircraft which have crashed and/or exploded.
• Relational/Positional Evidence²⁹
  • Blood drops on the threshold of a door indicates that the door was open when the blood was shed.
  • Location of other objects and their condition may also indicate a variety of things depending on the specifics of the crime.
• Trace Evidence^30,31
  • Trajectory of projectiles based on retention of material through which they have passed.
  • Place offender/victim at the scene, and at specific sites in the scene.
  • Describe the environment of an unknown crime scene.
  • May indicate offender occupation.
• Vehicle positions, speeds, sequence of accident events.

Information Needed for Reconstruction

Generally speaking it is best to go to the scene, preferably at the time of the incident. Information may come from physical evidence, witness statements, and the reports of other experts. The reconstructionist should examine all scene photographs, autopsy protocol and photographs, measurements, drawings, notes, reports and items of evidence. Complete and accurate documentation of the scene is essential. Depending on the type of reconstruction being done this may include some different things such as the height and vertical/horizontal angles of shots into a wall, or the length and width of a bloodstain. ³²