This article provides a brief overview of evidence and the process of evidence collection. In addition, it includes a list of evidence collection books to help you learn more about the subject.
What is Evidence Collection?
Evidence collection is the process of retrieving items, materials, data, and photographs from a crime scene “as is” without damaging or altering them.
Types of Evidence
The types of evidence that investigators collect at a crime scene will depend on the crime committed. Different categories and examples include:
- Biological – Types of physical evidence include hair, bodily fluids such as saliva or semen, and body tissues such as skin, fingernails, etc.
- Prints – Types of prints that may be collected include fingerprints, footprints, handprints, mouth prints, and others
- Ballistics – Evidence associated with firearms includes firearms, gun residue, bullet casings, and bullet holes.
- Digital – Phone records, text messages, call logs, internet history, keystrokes, etc.
- Physical – Physical items such as weapons, clothing, or other things left behind.
A Private Investigator’s Role
Although evidence is primarily collected by police officers, crime scene forensic specialists, and related technicians, private investigators may visit the crime scene after the fact to gather new or different evidence for their clients.
During this type of investigation, private investigators must understand proper evidence collection. Also, PIs must understand preservation and analysis procedures. Several excellent books on the subject can be used to augment your on-the-job
List of Evidence Collection Books
The following books can help serve as a great resource to help private eyes learn about the general process. Plus, you can learn the proper procedures and applicable laws for collecting objects and information related to a crime. Private investigators can use these books to learn:
- Proper procedures for collecting forensic evidence and data from the scene of the crime
- How to separate what is helpful from what is not
- How to take crime scene photographs and videos like the pros
- How to correctly store, preserve and protect evidence from contamination
- How to examine and analyze the objects and information and draw conclusions about what happened during the crime
- How evidence is presented in a court of law to support conclusions or theories
Evidence Collection Handbook
The Evidence Collection handbook is designed to serve as a quick reference guide on
This is an excellent handbook to be used by PIs as a quick reference. Plus, you can use the guide to learn the right way to collect forensic materials from a crime scene. We recommend adding it to your reference library.
Forensic Investigation Handbook: An Introduction To The Collection, Preservation, Analysis, And Presentation Of Evidence
The Forensic Investigation Handbook provides an overview of the process and procedures involved in collecting, securing, preserving, and analyzing evidence from a crime scene.
This handbook is an excellent guide for forensic investigators. Private investigators and police officers or anyone involved in conducting crime scene investigations. If you need to better understand evidence collection, this is the book.
More Information
For more information, see our Crime Scene Investigation section. Also, check out our complete list of Private Investigator Books.
Questions and Comments
If you have questions about these evidence collection books, please post a message below.
