Introduction
Terrorism uses calculated violence to generate public fear and panic to establish a specific political agenda within the general population. Terrorism is likely to be practiced by political movements with both rightist and leftist goals and objectives, religious, revolutionary, and nationalist groups, and state institutions such as police, armies, and intelligence services (Jones et al., 2021). In the United States, terrorism has become a significant crime since it interferes with local, state, and internal security, affecting foreign affairs with other countries (The Department of Justice, 2022). Law enforcement personnel within the area play a critical role in maintaining the purity of crime scenes by implementing crime scene processing procedures. Crime scene processing provides procedures and guidelines that law enforcement use during the collection of evidence and apprehension of suspects. Therefore, this paper will focus on applying crime scene procedures in processing terrorism crime scenes.
Isolating and Securing a Crime Scene
Securing and isolating crime scenes is the first and most critical process in maintaining the purity of crime scenes in any situation. Law enforcement personnel within the area are responsible for securing the scene by erecting tapes that define the boundaries within the region containing evidence (Department of Homeland Security, 2019). Police responders isolate the scene by restricting an individual from accessing the scene since it can be contaminated easily through shifting or collecting objects within the scene (Jones et al., 2021). Therefore, securing and isolating a crime scene enables the forensics process of pure evidence used in a court of law during the administration of justice and prosecution of suspects.
Recording Crime Scenes Through Photographs
Terrorism involves violence to trigger panic within the general population; hence, a forensics team needs to capture every important detail within the scene that will help solve the crime. Recording a crime scene through photographs is the following procedure; this process involves taking pictures of the original crime scene before any changes occur (Department of Homeland Security, 2019). In a terrorism scene, the forensics team takes photos of all entry points, metal fragments left after the explosion, the location of the explosive, and the extent of the damage (The Department of Justice, 2022). At the same time, photos will help investigators identify objects moved and removed within the scene, thus providing critical information that will contribute to the perpetrator’s location.
Collecting, Crime Scene Research, and Recording of Evidence by Use of Numbers
This procedure involves gathering physical evidence indicating that a crime has occurred. A systematic search of a scene is the process of collecting physical evidence used in a court of law to prove that a perpetrator has committed an act of terror (Department of Homeland Security, 2019). Points of entry provide critical data such as figure prints and DNA material left by the suspects (The Department of Justice, 2022). After searching and collecting the necessary data, it is well packaged and labeled through numbers based on its location on the crime scene, determining the effectiveness of the investigation and collection of crime scene data.
The Photographic State of Evidence and Taking Notes in Crime Scene
The photographic presentation of evidence clarifies the state of the scene as originally recorded. In a court of law, pictures emphasize the state of physical evidence in its exact location at a given time. As a forensics analyst, comparing the initial images with the state of evidence within the scene helps determine missing evidence such as moving objects or any missing recorded proof (Department of Homeland Security, 2019). Terrorism suspects are likely to leave critical evidence on the scene that may link them to the crimes through figure prints and objects; hence it becomes easy to administer justice to the department of defense (DOD).
Recording a crime scene is another procedure during evidence processing. It helps determine the motive, types of weapons, and individuals involved in the terrorist act. These details include location, color dates, and times of objects within the scene (The Department of Justice, 2022); it enables investigators to narrow down evidence based on relevance to the case. As a result, the forensics team can link a suspect by retracing their steps before and possible location after the explosion.
Crime Scenes Processing and Sketches
Consequently, the above processes play a critical role in sketching the crime. Crime scene sketches provide vital information such as the location and original state of the damaged building (Department of Homeland Security, 2019). In the court of law, this drawing illustrates the routes and estimates the time taken for perpetrators to commit the crime; it also locates nearby CCTV cameras, another source of evidence connecting the suspect to the scene (Jones et al., 2021). The FBI processes evidence through behavior analysis, witness statements, and experiments in analyzing crime scene data.
Creating and Maintaining a Chain of Custody
In this case, domestic terrorism is the responsibility of the FBI to conduct investigations, collect data, and maintain the chain of custody since it is a matter of state and international security concern (Department of Homeland Security, 2019). Reducing the number of law enforcement access to evidence prevents collecting data tampering. Therefore, marinating the chain of custody within the FBI ensures induvial not working on the case have no access or method of tampering with evidence.
Conclusion
The FBI’s forensics laboratory analysis determines the effectiveness of evidence in a court of law. In terrorism crime, the evidence presented in the laboratory for further study is critical; thus, this process should involve a minimal number of individuals with appropriate knowledge of explosives (Department of Homeland Security, 2019). Moreover, laboratory analysis will significantly impact the extent and effectiveness of the bomb, such as environmental impacts and its implication to the public’s health in the scene.
References
Department of Homeland Security. (2019). Department of Homeland Security Strategic Framework for Countering Terrorism and Targeted Violence. Web.
Jones, S. G., Doxsee, C., & Hwang, G. (2021). The Military, Police, and The Rise of Terrorism in The United States. Web.
The Department of Justice. (2022). USDOJ: Ten years later: The Justice Department After 9/11. Web.