Inspection of the scene of an incident is one of the investigative actions in which the investigator or other persons (enshrined in law) directly examine, perceive, evaluate and record the signs and properties of tangible objects in order to find objects and traces of importance for the investigation, as well as to establish the mechanism of what happened events and other circumstances. As a rule, the inspection of the scene of the incident is carried out immediately, so as not to lose traces, to fix the situation and circumstances of the incident.
The scene of the incident means a site, the premises where the crime occurred, as well as where the objects to be seized are located. The boundaries of the inspection are determined by the investigator independently.
Inspection Tasks
- general - consists in obtaining factual data about the event, persons and objects related to it;
- private - detecting traces, identifying objects to be seized, identifying witnesses and eyewitnesses, identifying the reasons that contributed to the crime, etc.
Site inspection tactics
WMD is carried out in several stages:
1. Preparatory. It is carried out after a crime report has been received. It consists in providing assistance to the victims, organizing the protection of the scene of the incident, taking measures to prevent harm from the crime, if possible, identifying the specialists necessary to bring in an examination, ensuring the presence of witnesses, etc.
2. Worker. It is aimed at establishing the mechanism of crime, identifying traces and other objects that contribute to the investigation. At this stage, a photo or video is taken.
3. The final. The plan diagrams and the WMD protocol are compiled, comments received during the investigative action are heard, material evidence is packed and sealed.
Psychology of the inspection of the scene
Since the investigative action is carried out at the initial stages, it significantly affects the further course of the investigation. Errors made during the inspection may lead to the nomination of the wrong version and, as a result, the guilty person will not be held accountable.
In order to draw the right conclusions, it is necessary to collect all the information relevant to the investigation. Then it must be carefully analyzed and put forward versions that explain the event. Subsequently, they are compared with the situation of the scene, the existing contradictions are established.
In a psychological analysis of the activities of the person conducting the inspection of the scene, distinguish organizational, search, reconstructive, authentication parties. The first is the organization of work at the scene of the incident (the cordon of the inspected site, coordination of the actions of the participants in the investigative action, etc.). Of great importance is the credibility of the investigator, to whom the rest must obey, guided by his instructions and instructions. Otherwise, the group will work separately and the necessary result will not be achieved.
Search activity is to identify information necessary for the investigation. The situation of the crime scene is perceived through rational thinking and sensory perception.
The reconstructive side of the activity is the analysis of the information received and the promotion of versions. Subsequently, each of them is checked and a valid picture of events is established.
Inspection of the scene is an important investigative action, since often material evidence is taken that forms the basis of the charge: fingerprints, footprints, etc.