A task analysis of crime scene investigation

Paul Smith*, Chris Baber, Sandra Wooley, James Cross, John Hunter

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Home Office Science and Technology Strategy identifies the need for criminal investigators to harness new technologies to enhance efficiency during the course of an investigation. Wearable computer technology has developed to provide technological support to many vocational tasks. The aim of the Methods to Support Shared Analysis for Mobile investigators (MsSAM) project is to develop and demonstrate the application of such technology to crime scene investigation. As an initial step in the design process, a detailed task analysis of crime scene investigation has been undertaken. Communicating with individuals involved in crime scene examination and those providing forensic services to police organisations, a theory of technological support to crime scene investigation will be compiled. Using the acquired information, a task analysis of the crime scene examiners duties will be analysed to aid the design specification and creation of a prototype. From this analysis it is possible to divide the process into discrete stages. Each stage has different information requirements, data handling issues and communication demands. Taking into consideration the variables present in crime scene investigation, we explore the interaction of the forensic practitioner with their environment at both the volume crime scene and the major crime scene and the interaction with other forensic disciplines, such as forensic archaeology and fire investigation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationContemporary Ergonomics 2005
Pages331-335
Number of pages5
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2005
EventAnnual Conference of the Ergonomics Society: Contemporary Ergonomics 2005, CE 2005 - Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Duration: 5 Apr 20057 Apr 2005

Publication series

NameContemporary Ergonomics 2005

Conference

ConferenceAnnual Conference of the Ergonomics Society: Contemporary Ergonomics 2005, CE 2005
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityHertfordshire
Period5/04/057/04/05

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human Factors and Ergonomics

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