C.S.I. Checklist 1.8

The C.S.I. Checklist™ is an innovative tool developed by ForensIQ, Inc. to support criminal investigation professionals in real-time fieldwork. This mobile application serves as a concise reference guide, formatted as a bulleted checklist, designed to assist investigators during crime scene examinations.

Developed by Thomas P. Mauriello, a noted university professor, forensic consultant, author, and former law enforcement officer with over 45 years of experience in education, training, writing, and investigations, the C.S.I. Checklist™ distills essential standards and procedures necessary for effective investigation practices. The checklists include criteria recognized by the United States Department of Justice and the National Institute of Justice, which were established by multidisciplinary expert working groups from diverse jurisdictions across the country.

This application is distinguished as the first of its kind, aimed at ensuring that first responders adhere to critical protocols during criminal investigations. It serves not only as a practical guide for uniformed police officers, crime scene technicians, emergency medical personnel, and forensic scientists, but also as a valuable assessment tool for prosecutors and defense attorneys to scrutinize case evaluations related to crime scene processing, evidence collection, and examination thoroughness.

The C.S.I. Checklist™ encompasses ten comprehensive checklists that outline the essential steps for protecting crime scenes, identifying physical evidence, and determining investigative tasks. These checklists address various areas within criminal investigations, including:

1. Preliminary Investigation – Initial response, support personnel coordination, and documentation.
2. Crime Scene (CS) Procedures – Protection protocols, assessment strategies, evidence collection methodologies, and documentation standards.
3. Crimes Against Persons Procedures – Guidelines for death investigations and sexual assaults.
4. Theft and Related Offenses – Protocols for theft-related property crimes with corresponding elements of proof.
5. Burglary as a Property Crime – Investigative procedures concerning burglary thefts and associated elements of proof.
6. Robbery (As a Crime Against Persons and Property) – Elements of proof relevant to robbery cases including suspect profiling and interviewing techniques.
7. Arson Scenes – First responder responsibilities, scene evaluation tactics, and evidence processing protocols.
8. Explosion and Bombing Scene Investigation – Guidelines for first responders and investigators regarding evidence processing and scene documentation.
9. Electronic Crime Scene and Digital Evidence – Best practices for handling computer systems as evidence, device categorization, data collection strategies, and relevant offenses.
10. Forensic Science Resources – Guidance on utilizing forensic resources across anthropology, botany, entomology, locksmithing, and questioned document analysis.