Common Approach Path

Common approach path…

A common approach path is set out within any given crime scene in order to minimise and cross contamination or destruction of different pieces of evidence. This path is constructed by scenes of crime officers ensuring that a clear pathway is set out. This path ensures that officers or anyone who is present within the scene does not step on evidence whilst moving around the scene. This path also allows for SOCO’s to collect all the evidence as the path is set out closely by evidence allowing them to be stood near however not near enough to destroy or contaminate evidence. This pathway can also be used for personal protection, for example if there are sharp objects upon the floor (syringes/broke glass) if personnel follow the path they are less likely to be injured.

Common approach path within the OJ Simpson case…

This procedure was not followed within the murder investigation of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman due to the extended delay of the SOCO’s arrival. Upon their arrival detectives instructed them to just collect the evidence. If the SOCO’s set out the CAP contamination would have still occurred due to the high presence of the police prior to their arrival. The crime scene was active for around 3 hours before the SOCO’s were called in therefore CAP would not have benefited this investigation as contamination would have already occurred. For example mud was present outside Nicole’s property this mud was then passed through to the interior of the property suggesting numerous officers had walked it through. This mud contaminated vital pieces of evidence such as OJ’s blood found within Nicole’s blood upon her pathway, however his defence lawyers argues that this evidence was not viable within court as it had been contaminated. This evidence was later thrown out of court. SOCO’s should have been called to attend the scene before any personnel entered the scene in order to minimise and prevent and contamination occurring by using the procedure CAP.

The image above shows numerous footwear marks clearly visible in the form of blood. This blood was produced from the victims (Nicole & Ronald). As no CAP was used officers had treat through the blood causing any DNA evidence produced from the offender to become non viable within court as it has been contaminated.