Lab Requests

• Clearly describe the location of the evidence
• Lab processing can continue through the interview phase
• Search warrants
• DNA comparisons
• Fingerprint comparisons
• Handwriting

DNA

• Swab the object, send the swab to the lab, not the object
• If there is blood on the clothes then remove to look at more closely during processing
• When the lab results state there are not DNA matches remember to ask for a comparison to the victim, and if that doesn't match then ask suspects for samples, get a search warrant if they refuse. (Must have probable cause)
• Check to see if DNA that doesn't have a match on file is a match to other DNA found at the scene.

Autopsy Report

• Only information that will be provided is the time and cause of death
• Need to make specific requests to get more information

Hair samples

• Root will be needed for analysis of DNA comparison

Ballistics

• Students can ask for trajectory

Information about the victim

• Basic information about the victim can be asked during the processing phase

Interviewing

• Keep an open mind about what happened, don't get tunnel vision
• Practice knowing when to Mirandize and make sure that the suspect understands his/her rights
• Remember to ask for basic information: Date of birth, age, height, SS#
• Ask for an alibi, then verify that it checks
• Determine what to charge the suspect with
• Maintain a timeline of events, and how the suspects' stories fits to the timeline
• Ask suspect if they were at the scene of the crime and if they committed the crime

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