- 01: Introduction
- 02: History of Firearms Identification
- 03: Powder, Ammunition, and Firearm Development
- 04: Manufacture of Firearms
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
Investigator
Home > Evidence Handling Procedures > Roles and Expectations > Investigator
Investigators are responsible for the coordination of all aspects of a case, such as:
- Conducting interviews
- Executing search warrants
- Conducting surveillances
- Performing record checks
- Writing investigative reports
- Briefing prosecutors
- Collecting physical evidence
In larger agencies, the assistance of a trained crime scene technician(s) may be requested. This is often the case in personal, high profile, or high value property crimes as defined by agency policy. These technicians are often integral to the agency and frequently work with the investigator.
It is the responsibility of the investigator (and/or crime scene technician) to coordinate and document a crime scene search by generating:
- Evidence logs
- Administrative logs
- Crime scene sketches
- Photographs
- Photographic logs
- Chain of custody records
Subsequent to the search the evidence is delivered or shipped to a forensic laboratory for analyses by various specialists, including firearm/toolmark examiners.
For the purposes of this module, all references to the Investigator will refer to that person performing crime scene search duties, regardless of their particular title.
