Crime Scene Search patterns

Search Methods
Principles of Biomedical

The only thing consistent about crime scenes is their inconsistency. Because of their diversity, crime scenes can be classified in many ways. First, crime scenes can be classified according to the location of the original criminal activity.

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Crime Scene

Most commonly employed search methods are geometric patterns. The six patterns are link, line or strip, grid, zone, wheel or ray, and spiral. Each has advantages and disadvantages and some are better suited for outside or indoor crime scenes.

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Crime Scene

Link Method

Method is not a geometric pattern or easily definable.

There is no set pattern. The method requires the investigator to be able to form logical links between crime scene activity and the likely places additional evidence could be found at the scene as a result.

Used on large, outdoor crime scenes. Members of the search team are arranged at regular intervals, usually arm’s length, and then proceed to search along straight lines.

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Line (Strip) Method

Used on large, outdoor crime scenes. Searchers follow the first line pattern and search in the same manner as the line method. Once the first line pattern is complete, searchers realign on the other line pattern​

Grid Method

Used on crime scenes that are comprised of readily definable zones, such as in houses or buildings. Teams are assigned small zones for searching, and then other appropriate searching methods are employed in each zone.​

Zone Method

Used on crime scenes with no physical barriers, such as open water. Can either begin at critical point of crime scene (outward spiral) or the outer-edge of the crime scene (inward spiral).

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Spiral Method (Inward or Outward)

Used on small, circular crime scenes. Investigators start from a critical point and travel outward along many straight lines from this point.

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​Wheel or Ray Method

Multiple Choice

3. Which of the following is in the correct order when processing a crime scene?

• A. Searching for fingerprints and other evidence, photographs and sketches, surveying the scene, recording location of evidence and documenting, measuring and mapping

• B. Recording location of evidence and documenting, searching for finger prints and other evidence, measuring and mapping, photographs and sketches, surveying the scene

• C. Surveying the scene, photographs and sketches, measurements and mapping, searching for fingerprints and other evidence, recording location of evidence and documenting

• D. Surveying the scene, photographs and sketches, measurements and mapping, recording location of evidence and documenting, searching for fingerprints and other evidence

Multiple Choice

4. What is rarely used anymore, where searchers begin at the center and move outward and the number of people searching at the beginning can cause evidence to be ruined?

• A. Strip Method

• B. Spiral Method

• C. Wheel Method

• D. Grid Method

• E. Zone Method

Multiple Choice

5. What is most often used indoors and divides the search area into sections or squares and a separate officer is designated to search a given section?

• A. Strip Method

• B. Spiral Method

• C. Wheel Method

• D. Grid Method

• E. Zone Method

Multiple Choice

6. What is useful in larger, outdoor areas, is quick to implement, simple to use, and can be done by a single person inside or outside?

• A. Strip Method

• B. Spiral Method

• C. Wheel Method

• D. Grid Method

• E. Zone Method

Multiple Choice

7. What is one of the best kinds of searches for detailed searching of large areas, and can be modified depending on the number of searchers and the area covered? When done correctly each area will be searched twice.

• A. Strip Method

• B. Spiral Method

• C. Wheel Method

• D. Grid Method

• E. Zone Method

Multiple Choice

8. Where can evidence be found?

• A. At the points of entry or exit

• B. At the route of escape

• C. On clothing

• D. On vehicles

• E. All of the above

Multiple Choice

What search method is shown in the image?

• Grid

• spiral

• wheel

• quadrant

Multiple Choice

What search method is shown in the image?

• Grid

• spiral

• wheel

• quadrant

Multiple Choice

What search method is shown in the image?

• Grid

• spiral

• wheel

• quadrant

Multiple Choice

What search method is shown in the image?

• Grid

• spiral

• wheel

• quadrant

Multiple Choice

What search method is shown in the image?

• Grid

• spiral

• line or strip

• quadrant

Multiple Choice

What search method would be good for a large area?

• line/strip

• grid

• wheel

• spiral