Have you ever wondered what happens at a crime scene? Most of us know that if you call 911, someone will respond, and if a crime has bee...
Have you ever wondered what happens at a crime scene? Most of us know that if you call 911, someone will respond, and if a crime has been committed, someone will probably go to jail, but what happens in between?
The Criminal Process
When a crime is committed, a police officer, EMT, firefighter, or all three positions are notified. Once they arrive at the scene, police officers create a perimeter to keep outsiders out if necessary. If there is a fire, the firefighters will ensure everyone is out of the structure before extinguishing the fire. EMT's will also enter the crime scene once safe to assess how the victim or victims have been affected if there is physical injury. Otherwise,just an officer will arrive.
Evidence Collection
A crime Scene investigator (CSI) will receive a brief message via radio. This message is on a secure channel to keep away different types of media channels or citizens of the public that would disrupt the crime scene to get a story or because they’re curious. Once the CSIarrives, they will make a note of anything seen, heard, or anything they smell.
Any potential evidence will be evaluated to make sure nothing is compromised. When the first responders relay what they found to the CSI, the perimeter can be sufficiently secured with police tape to start the full investigation.Then, the evidence is collected and evaluated to figure out how the crime happened.
If the crime was a murder, the CSI will search for the murder weapon and figuring out how it was used and at what position or angle. If it was a robbery, the windows and doors are checked along with any other possible points of entry to see if it was forced entry or an inside job. If it was arson, they will find what tool/chemical was used to create the fire and where it entered the crime scene or what the point of contact was.
Questioning
Once all the information is collected, a suspect or multiple suspects are brought in for questioning if possible. When the evidence shows it’s highly probable someone committed the crime, that suspect is read their rights and detained until their court hearing. This is when the suspect can contact their lawyer in the area, such as a criminal lawyer in North York, that will interview them and defend their rights.
The lawyer will then begin their work by looking over the crime scene themselves along with previous rulings similar to the case. Once enough information is collected, the lawyer will create an argument in favour of their client to present to the court. All the data will be reviewed, and the judge will determine the next plan of action.
Trial
If the defendant is found not guilty, the case will end there. If the defendant is found guilty, the judge will determine what the proper punishment will be. The sentencing will be a fine or probation if the crime is not severe.
When the crime is more severe, such as robbery or murder, then jail time can range from one year to life imprisonment. Once the judge has finished the sentencing, the criminal carries out the punishment delivered by the court.
