Police procedure (very basic) at scene of murder

[BlankPaige]

I can find lots of other info, but I can't find this really basic information:

How long is the yellow crime scene tape up around the scene of a murder? Only until the police feel they have found all the evidence at the scene? Or does it just stay there indefinitely?

Oh, and the tape outline of the body--in an indoor scene--would they be likely to pull that up or just leave it? Assume it's in an apartment where no one else lived so nobody is going to disturb it until the landlord cleans up the place.

And what is the status on impounding as evidence a computer in the home of a murder victim? Would that be done routinely, or only if there were some reason to suspect on-line foul dealings related to the murder?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[KYLLRelite]

>>How long is the yellow crime scene tape up around the scene of a murder? Only until the police feel they have found all the evidence at the scene? Or does it just stay there indefinitely?<<

The yellow tape is a temporary blockade for outside use. ( the yard, the street, etc.) It is there to keep civilians from contaminating the scene any more that it may be already. Once the scene has been collected and photographed, and the police are finished, it comes down.



>>Oh, and the tape outline of the body--in an indoor scene--would they be likely to pull that up or just leave it? Assume it's in an apartment where no one else lived so nobody is going to disturb it until the landlord cleans up the place.<<


As for "sealing tape"... the tape they put on a front door of a crime scene, to keep people out of an apartment.
I thought it was the DA who gave the go ahead to remove the police tape... The tape (or the officer) that secures the crime scene. After a crime, if anyone is to be prosecuted, they need to have access to the untainted crime scene. The "body" tape would stay as well. Once the DA (and defense atty's) is finished, they say it's ok to remove the barriers.


>>And what is the status on impounding as evidence a computer in the home of a murder victim? Would that be done routinely, or only if there were some reason to suspect on-line foul dealings related to the murder?<<

Only if there is some reason. We have rights even after were dead.

>>Any help would be greatly appreciated. <<

Also, check:
www.createyourscreenplay....vigate.htm (http://www.createyourscreenplay.com/navigate.htm)

click: "Research" then, "Crime Writing". There are lots of links here (a great guy Barry Pearson owns this site) and there are also links to ask cops questions directly. Check it out.

Kyle

[BlankPaige]

Thanks, Kyle, that was very helpful!!!

[BeefMissile]

Check www.copsnwriters.com or www.wga.org or www.holywoodlitsales.com .

[echo2218]

There's a book called Scene of the Crime a writer's guide to crime scene investigations.

There are dozens of books out that detail almost anything writers need. For example, I have one called Private Eyes a writers guide to private investigators. Also, Causes of Death a writers guide to death, murder and forensic medicine.


I found all of these and more and Barnes and Noble in the writer's section.

[BeefMissile]

For law enforcement related questions check; www.copsnwriters.com, a useful resource started by a retired cop from AZ.