Crime Scene Investigation

Initial questions to be answered are: (1) What is the crime scene? (2) Where is the crime scene? and (3) What techniques will be needed to thoroughly investigate and document this scene?

Crime scenes are as varied as the acts investigated. It may be that the only scene to be processed is the animal itself, or the scene may involve multiple premises that extend for acres. Obviously, investigative protocols must take into account the uniqueness of a specific scene while abiding by the general procedures common to scene investigations. Each investigation has its own set of variables requiring documentation. Case documentation may only require examination of a single animal or may involve extensive documentation of hundreds of housing units spread over acres of land. The following information, describing possible evidence documentation, is not meant to imply that all techniques or procedures are required for every case. What is required is thorough documentation of the evidence relevant to the act, which is relayed to the judicial system in an accurate, unbiased manner so the judicial body can make a fair and just decision.

Although each crime scene may not require every forensic technique, agencies investigating animal crime scenes can adopt the FBI’s 12-step process as a guideline for investigation of the scene (Fish et al., 2011; U.S. Department of Justice, 2013). These 12 steps include: "(1) prepare, (2) approach scene, (3) secure and protect scene, (4) initiate preliminary survey, (5) evaluate physical evidence possibilities, (6) prepare narrative descriptions, (7) depict scene photographically, (8) prepare diagrams and sketches of scene, (9) conduct a detailed search, (10) record and collect physical evidence, (11) conduct a final survey, and (12) release scene” (Fish et al., 2011).

With animal crime scenes, the number of personnel may vary from a single animal control officer to a full response with law enforcement officers, animal control officers, prosecutors, veterinarians, regulatory officers (U.S. and/or State Department of Agriculture, or other state and/or federal government agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency [DEA]), crime scene investigators, forensic specialists, nongovernmental animal welfare agencies, and so on. Therefore, the number of personnel in the response can have a direct effect on the extent of the crime scene investigation and documentation.

Subsequent sections of this chapter will discuss some of the investigative tools available for documenting the crime scene in general. These sections will use the FBI’s 12-step process as a guideline, and notes where certain adaptations or techniques may be useful for the challenges of evidence collection and documentation unique to animal crimes. Subsequent chapters of this book will address evidence collection and documentation specific to a particular act, if specialized evidence collection is appropriate.

Planning Stage of an Animal Case

The development of animal cases typically follows one of two courses: (1) the case that is stumbled upon during the routine performance of duties by a law enforcement agency or (2) the case in which agencies are allowed the opportunity to plan out the steps of the investigation. If the course of events of an animal case allows for a planning stage, seeking input from all of the resources available for the case can be invaluable.

One of the first discussions that must occur during the planning stage of a case is a frank discussion of the expectations of the law enforcement agency for the roles and responsibilities of all of the personnel that will be involved in the case. The personnel and resources must be willing and able to provide what the law enforcement agency requests for the duration of the case. If the personnel or resource has restrictions or limitations, these must be discussed during the planning stage, rather than emerging as a surprise mid-course. Open discussion at the beginning of the case allows for adjustments or development of alternative courses of action, which minimize the impact on the case. In complex cases, multiple briefings may be advantageous in the long run.

Although some larger cases may involve the prosecutor in the planning stages and on scene, typically, the law enforcement agency is the lead agency and all other personnel are assistants. As many of these cases involve an animalfs), alive or deceased, on scene, having a veterinarian to assist with the case is imperative. In most cases, the veterinarian is an assistant to law enforcement during a case, as has been the author’s personal experience. Even in the role as an assistant, the veterinarian must be allowed and able to maintain independence and objectivity in their professional opinion and actions.

Examples of how frank discussions may result in an alternate course of action include:

• 1. If the species involved are not animals typically treated by the veterinarian or are animals that require specialized veterinary assessment and/or care, then the initial consulting veterinarian can advise the law enforcement agency of other resources such as specialized veterinarians or veterinary colleges that may better suit the needs of the case.
• 2. If the species involved are to be transported but governmental regulations require special handling, communicable disease testing, identification, or documentation, the veterinarian can advise law enforcement of the proper procedures. This may mean involving state or other government regulatory agencies in the planning stages.
• 3. If one of the resources involved in the planning of the case has a specific time conflict or limitation, the timing of the execution of the search warrant may be modified.

A crucial aspect of the planning briefing is the discussion on animal handling and management on scene. Not all law enforcement agencies have animal control resources to aid in the handling of animals. The veterinarian may be the only person with significant animal experience present at the planning briefing. The challenges of animal handling and management are often magnified and can quickly become problematic in large-scale cases (Touroo & Fitch, 2016). In addition, certain cases may involve species of animals which require specialized equipment for handling.

The veterinarian, animal control, or other animal welfare resources can advise law enforcement of a logical flow of animal procedures and movement at the crime scene to meet the needs of law enforcement and the judicial agencies. During the initial case planning briefing, the law enforcement agency (and prosecutors, if present) should detail their expectations of these resources. Responsibility for procedures such as scene triage, environmental impact assessment, animal triage and assessment, loading for transport, transport, scene and animal evidence identification, collection and preservation, security and sheltering of the animal evidence, monitoring and care of the animal evidence, and final disposition of the animal evidence must be detailed during the planning briefing.