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Crime Scene Scenario – Mistakes or No Mistakes? Page 221, #3

Criminalist Ben Baldazana is collecting evidence from the scene of a shooting. After locating the revolver suspected of firing the shots, Ben picks the gun up by the grip, unloads it, and places the ammunition in an envelope. He then attaches an identification tag to the grip. Searching the scene, Ben finds a bullet lodged in the wall. He uses pliers to grab the bullet and pull it from the wall, then inscribes the bullet with his initials and places it in an envelope. What mistakes, if any, did Ben make in collecting this evidence?

 

Scenario: Ben Baldazana Collecting Evidence

What Ben Did:

1. Found the revolver, picked it up by the grip, unloaded it, placed the ammunition in an envelope, and tagged the grip.

2. Found a bullet in the wall, used pliers to remove it, inscribed it with his initials, and placed it in an envelope.

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Mistakes in Evidence Collection

1. Handling the revolver:

• Mistake: Picking up the firearm by the grip before photographing or documenting its location.

• Why it matters: The position of the weapon and surrounding items at the scene is critical for reconstruction. Moving it prematurely can destroy important evidence.

• Best practice: Photograph and document the firearm in place first. Gloves should be worn to prevent contamination.

2. Handling the bullet:

• Mistake: Using pliers and inscribing the bullet with initials before proper documentation.

• Why it matters: Using pliers may scratch or alter the bullet’s surface, potentially destroying ballistic markings. Inscribing the bullet can also permanently damage evidence.

• Best practice: Evidence should be photographed in situ, carefully removed with gloves or a soft tool, and stored without marking the surface. Identification should be done via tags on the container, not the bullet itself.

3. Ammunition handling:

• Separating bullets from the firearm is okay, but they should also be documented in their original condition before being placed in an envelope.

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Correct Procedures Ben Should Have Followed:

1. Document and photograph the weapon and bullet before moving anything.

2. Use gloves and avoid tools that can damage evidence.

3. Place evidence in labeled containers without directly marking the item.

4. Record chain-of-custody details immediately.

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✅ Summary:

• Mistakes were made in moving the gun before documentation and marking the bullet with initials, which could compromise evidence integrity.

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