Chapter 55 Crime Scene Awareness Focused Lecture
Description: Chapter 55 Crime Scene Awareness Focused Lecture Approaching the Scene (1 of 4) Scenes Known to be Violent For paramedics and other responders, determining personal safety is a basic part of analyzing a scene. It begins before paramedics
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slide1. Chapter 55 Crime Scene Awareness
Focused Lecture<br>
slide2. Approaching the Scene (1 of 4) Scenes Known to be Violent
For paramedics and other responders, determining personal safety is a basic part of analyzing a scene.
It begins before paramedics arrive at the scene with information provided by a dispatching center.<br>
slide3. Approaching the Scene (2 of 4) Scenes Known to be Violent (cont.)
Information may be available from a dispatching center that should alert the EMS crew to possible dangers.
Includes known locations of unsafe scenes and/or the presence of:
Large crowds
People under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
On-scene violence
Weapons<br>
slide4. Approaching the Scene (3 of 4) Scenes Known to be Violent (cont.)
When responding to a scene with a potential for danger, the EMS crew should begin observation several blocks from the scene.
If the scene is known to be violent, the EMS crew should remain at a safe, out-of-sight distance from the area until it has been secured.<br>
slide5. Approaching the Scene (4 of 4) Weapons at the Scene
Paramedics will likely respond to emergency calls where weapons are present.
If there is a question of scene safety, paramedics should retreat when there are weapons on the scene.<br>
slide6. Dangerous Residence (1 of 2) A response to a residence is an everyday occurrence for most EMS personnel. However, even calls that appear “routine” require a scene size-up that begins before the EMS crew leaves the emergency vehicle.<br>
slide7. Dangerous Residence (2 of 2) Warning signs of danger in residential calls include the following:
A history of problems or violence
A known drug or gang area
Loud noises (e.g., screams, items breaking, possible gunshots)
Seeing or hearing acts of violence
The presence of alcohol or other drug use
The smell of chemicals or the presence of empty chemical containers
Evidence of dangerous pets (e.g., exotic snakes and reptiles, breeds of dogs that are often trained to be vicious)
Unusual silence or darkened residence<br>
slide8. Dangerous Highway Encounters (1 of 4) As with calls to residences, a response to a traffic incident should never be considered routine.<br>
slide9. Dangerous Highway Encounters (2 of 4) Street-Smart Safety Tips:
When working in vehicle traffic, always wear reflective clothing and make sure you can leave the scene quickly and safely if required.
At night, use the ambulance lights to illuminate a vehicle’s interior.
Before approaching a vehicle, consider using the public address system to get a response from passengers in the vehicle.<br>
slide10. Dangerous Highway Encounters (3 of 4) Street-Smart Safety Tips: (cont.)
If your ambulance is approach a vehicle in which a passenger is adjusting the side- or rearview mirror as you approach, retreat to safety. (This is a sign of danger.)
Open or unlatched trunks may indicate that people are hiding or have been restrained in the compartment. If the trunk is slightly open, slam it shut without opening it further.
Retreat to the ambulance (or another place of safety) at the first sign of danger.<br>
slide11. Dangerous Highway Encounters (4 of 4) The paramedic who approaches the vehicle should do so from the passenger side of the vehicle.
The paramedic should observe the front seat from behind post B and move forward only after ensuring it safe to do so.<br>
slide12. Violent Street Incidents (1 of 2) Murder, assault, and robbery are common occurrences in the United States. Many of these crimes involve dangerous weapons.<br>
slide13. Violent Street Incidents (2 of 2) Warning signs of potential danger in violent street incidents include the following:
Voices that become louder, escalating in tone
Pushing and shoving
Hostility toward people at the scene
Destruction of property
A rapid increase in the size of the crowd
The use of alcohol or other drugs by people at the scene
Inability of law enforcement personnel to control the crowd.<br>
slide14. Violent Groups and Situations (1 of 6) Gang Characteristics (cont.)
Graffiti and Clothing
Graffiti (often referred to as tagging)
Likely the most visible sign of gang criminal activity
Can be seen in neighborhood parks and on the back and side walls of stores, fences, retaining walls, and any other prominent structure that is paintable
Gang graffiti
Usually marks territorial boundaries, known as turf
Gang-related clothing often is unique and specific to a group. It is worn to identify affiliation and rank.
Gang-related clothing and styles vary widely across the country and even within regions.<br>
slide15. Violent Groups and Situations (2 of 6) Gang Characteristics (cont.)
Graffiti and Clothing (cont.)
Examples:
Beads
Tattoos/markings
Clothing
Personal appearance/grooming<br>
slide16. Violent Groups and Situations (3 of 6) Gang Characteristics (cont.)
Safety issues in gang areas
Common gang activities
Fighting
Vandalism
Armed robbery
Weapon offenses
Automobile theft
Battery
Human trafficking/alien smuggling/prostitution
Drug dealing or transport<br>
slide17. Violent Groups and Situations (4 of 6) Clandestine Drug Labs
Activities that take place in a clandestine drug lab include creating drugs (synthesis) from chemical precursors.
Other safety hazards that are associated with clandestine drug labs include booby traps that can maim or kill an intruder. In addition, people who operate these labs are sometimes armed or otherwise violent.<br>
slide18. Violent Groups and Situations (5 of 6) Clandestine Drug Labs (cont.)
If a drug lab is identified, the EMS crew should:
Leave the area at once.
Notify law enforcement.
Initiate an incident command system and hazardous materials procedures per protocol.
Assist law enforcement personnel to evacuate the surrounding area in an orderly fashion to ensure public safety.<br>
slide19. Violent Groups and Situations (6 of 6) Domestic Violence
Many signs indicate domestic violence:
Apparent fear of a household member
Different or conflicting accounts by parties at the scene
One party preventing another from speaking
A patient who is reluctant to speak
Injuries that do not match the reported mechanism of injury
Unusual or unsanitary living conditions or personal hygiene<br>
slide20. Safety Tactics (1 of 4) Avoidance
Tactics that help ensure personal safety include avoidance, tactical retreat, cover and concealment, and distraction and evasive maneuvers.
Some EMS providers are specially trained and equipped to work in tactical law enforcement settings.
Avoidance is the act of keeping away from a dangerous situation or preventing the development of a dangerous situation.
Avoidance is always preferable to confrontation.<br>
slide21. Safety Tactics (2 of 4) Tactical Retreat
Tactical retreat describes leaving the scene when danger is observed or when violence or indicators of violence are displayed.<br>
slide22. Safety Tactics (3 of 4) Cover and Concealment
Cover and concealment provide protection from injury.
When the need for cover or concealment arises, paramedics should do the following:
Maintain constant awareness of their surroundings.
Be aware that “stepping off” cover may actually provide more protection than “hugging” cover.
Constantly look for ways to improve protection and location.
Be aware of reflective clothing (e.g., trim, badges) that may draw attention or serve as a target.<br>
slide23. Safety Tactics (4 of 4) Distraction and Evasive Tactics
Distraction and evasive tactics can be used as self-defense measures during retreat.
They also can be used when retreat and cover and concealment are not available options.
Evasive tactics involve anticipating the moves of the aggressor and using unconventional pathways during retreat.
Paramedic crews trained in tactical EMS often use preassigned roles for distraction and evasive maneuvers.<br>
slide24. Tactical Patient Care (1 of 4) Body Armor
The term tactical patient care describes patient care activities that occur inside the scene perimeter where there is a direct or indirect threat.
An area where a direct threat exists is known as the hot zone.
Tactical medics provide immediate medical care to the injured during a SWAT operation. These medics treat the injured on site or stabilize them and extract them from the scene.<br>
slide25. Tactical Patient Care (2 of 4) Body Armor (cont.)
Some agencies use personnel who are cross-trained in law enforcement and tactical EMS.
When wearing body armor, paramedics should take care not to develop a false sense of security.<br>
slide26. Tactical Patient Care (3 of 4) EMS Care in the Tactical Environment
Most tactical medics (EMT-Ts and SWAT medics) are trained in the following:
Team health and management
Care under fire
Officer rescue
Medical operations preplanning and medical intelligence
Responding to the active shooter
Special medical gear for tactical operations<br>
slide27. Tactical Patient Care (4 of 4) EMS Care in the Tactical Environment (cont.)
Most tactical medics (EMT-Ts and SWAT medics) are trained in the following: (cont.)
Personal protective gear
Special needs for extended operations
Preventive medicine
Management of weapons of mass destruction and toxic hazards<br>
slide28. EMS at Crime Scenes Preserving Evidence
A crime scene is a location where any part of a criminal act has occurred.
The paramedic’s observations at a crime scene are important. They should be documented carefully on the patient care report or other appropriate form.
Patient care is the paramedic’s ultimate priority, even at crime scenes.<br>
Focused Lecture<br>
slide2. Approaching the Scene (1 of 4) Scenes Known to be Violent
For paramedics and other responders, determining personal safety is a basic part of analyzing a scene.
It begins before paramedics arrive at the scene with information provided by a dispatching center.<br>
slide3. Approaching the Scene (2 of 4) Scenes Known to be Violent (cont.)
Information may be available from a dispatching center that should alert the EMS crew to possible dangers.
Includes known locations of unsafe scenes and/or the presence of:
Large crowds
People under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
On-scene violence
Weapons<br>
slide4. Approaching the Scene (3 of 4) Scenes Known to be Violent (cont.)
When responding to a scene with a potential for danger, the EMS crew should begin observation several blocks from the scene.
If the scene is known to be violent, the EMS crew should remain at a safe, out-of-sight distance from the area until it has been secured.<br>
slide5. Approaching the Scene (4 of 4) Weapons at the Scene
Paramedics will likely respond to emergency calls where weapons are present.
If there is a question of scene safety, paramedics should retreat when there are weapons on the scene.<br>
slide6. Dangerous Residence (1 of 2) A response to a residence is an everyday occurrence for most EMS personnel. However, even calls that appear “routine” require a scene size-up that begins before the EMS crew leaves the emergency vehicle.<br>
slide7. Dangerous Residence (2 of 2) Warning signs of danger in residential calls include the following:
A history of problems or violence
A known drug or gang area
Loud noises (e.g., screams, items breaking, possible gunshots)
Seeing or hearing acts of violence
The presence of alcohol or other drug use
The smell of chemicals or the presence of empty chemical containers
Evidence of dangerous pets (e.g., exotic snakes and reptiles, breeds of dogs that are often trained to be vicious)
Unusual silence or darkened residence<br>
slide8. Dangerous Highway Encounters (1 of 4) As with calls to residences, a response to a traffic incident should never be considered routine.<br>
slide9. Dangerous Highway Encounters (2 of 4) Street-Smart Safety Tips:
When working in vehicle traffic, always wear reflective clothing and make sure you can leave the scene quickly and safely if required.
At night, use the ambulance lights to illuminate a vehicle’s interior.
Before approaching a vehicle, consider using the public address system to get a response from passengers in the vehicle.<br>
slide10. Dangerous Highway Encounters (3 of 4) Street-Smart Safety Tips: (cont.)
If your ambulance is approach a vehicle in which a passenger is adjusting the side- or rearview mirror as you approach, retreat to safety. (This is a sign of danger.)
Open or unlatched trunks may indicate that people are hiding or have been restrained in the compartment. If the trunk is slightly open, slam it shut without opening it further.
Retreat to the ambulance (or another place of safety) at the first sign of danger.<br>
slide11. Dangerous Highway Encounters (4 of 4) The paramedic who approaches the vehicle should do so from the passenger side of the vehicle.
The paramedic should observe the front seat from behind post B and move forward only after ensuring it safe to do so.<br>
slide12. Violent Street Incidents (1 of 2) Murder, assault, and robbery are common occurrences in the United States. Many of these crimes involve dangerous weapons.<br>
slide13. Violent Street Incidents (2 of 2) Warning signs of potential danger in violent street incidents include the following:
Voices that become louder, escalating in tone
Pushing and shoving
Hostility toward people at the scene
Destruction of property
A rapid increase in the size of the crowd
The use of alcohol or other drugs by people at the scene
Inability of law enforcement personnel to control the crowd.<br>
slide14. Violent Groups and Situations (1 of 6) Gang Characteristics (cont.)
Graffiti and Clothing
Graffiti (often referred to as tagging)
Likely the most visible sign of gang criminal activity
Can be seen in neighborhood parks and on the back and side walls of stores, fences, retaining walls, and any other prominent structure that is paintable
Gang graffiti
Usually marks territorial boundaries, known as turf
Gang-related clothing often is unique and specific to a group. It is worn to identify affiliation and rank.
Gang-related clothing and styles vary widely across the country and even within regions.<br>
slide15. Violent Groups and Situations (2 of 6) Gang Characteristics (cont.)
Graffiti and Clothing (cont.)
Examples:
Beads
Tattoos/markings
Clothing
Personal appearance/grooming<br>
slide16. Violent Groups and Situations (3 of 6) Gang Characteristics (cont.)
Safety issues in gang areas
Common gang activities
Fighting
Vandalism
Armed robbery
Weapon offenses
Automobile theft
Battery
Human trafficking/alien smuggling/prostitution
Drug dealing or transport<br>
slide17. Violent Groups and Situations (4 of 6) Clandestine Drug Labs
Activities that take place in a clandestine drug lab include creating drugs (synthesis) from chemical precursors.
Other safety hazards that are associated with clandestine drug labs include booby traps that can maim or kill an intruder. In addition, people who operate these labs are sometimes armed or otherwise violent.<br>
slide18. Violent Groups and Situations (5 of 6) Clandestine Drug Labs (cont.)
If a drug lab is identified, the EMS crew should:
Leave the area at once.
Notify law enforcement.
Initiate an incident command system and hazardous materials procedures per protocol.
Assist law enforcement personnel to evacuate the surrounding area in an orderly fashion to ensure public safety.<br>
slide19. Violent Groups and Situations (6 of 6) Domestic Violence
Many signs indicate domestic violence:
Apparent fear of a household member
Different or conflicting accounts by parties at the scene
One party preventing another from speaking
A patient who is reluctant to speak
Injuries that do not match the reported mechanism of injury
Unusual or unsanitary living conditions or personal hygiene<br>
slide20. Safety Tactics (1 of 4) Avoidance
Tactics that help ensure personal safety include avoidance, tactical retreat, cover and concealment, and distraction and evasive maneuvers.
Some EMS providers are specially trained and equipped to work in tactical law enforcement settings.
Avoidance is the act of keeping away from a dangerous situation or preventing the development of a dangerous situation.
Avoidance is always preferable to confrontation.<br>
slide21. Safety Tactics (2 of 4) Tactical Retreat
Tactical retreat describes leaving the scene when danger is observed or when violence or indicators of violence are displayed.<br>
slide22. Safety Tactics (3 of 4) Cover and Concealment
Cover and concealment provide protection from injury.
When the need for cover or concealment arises, paramedics should do the following:
Maintain constant awareness of their surroundings.
Be aware that “stepping off” cover may actually provide more protection than “hugging” cover.
Constantly look for ways to improve protection and location.
Be aware of reflective clothing (e.g., trim, badges) that may draw attention or serve as a target.<br>
slide23. Safety Tactics (4 of 4) Distraction and Evasive Tactics
Distraction and evasive tactics can be used as self-defense measures during retreat.
They also can be used when retreat and cover and concealment are not available options.
Evasive tactics involve anticipating the moves of the aggressor and using unconventional pathways during retreat.
Paramedic crews trained in tactical EMS often use preassigned roles for distraction and evasive maneuvers.<br>
slide24. Tactical Patient Care (1 of 4) Body Armor
The term tactical patient care describes patient care activities that occur inside the scene perimeter where there is a direct or indirect threat.
An area where a direct threat exists is known as the hot zone.
Tactical medics provide immediate medical care to the injured during a SWAT operation. These medics treat the injured on site or stabilize them and extract them from the scene.<br>
slide25. Tactical Patient Care (2 of 4) Body Armor (cont.)
Some agencies use personnel who are cross-trained in law enforcement and tactical EMS.
When wearing body armor, paramedics should take care not to develop a false sense of security.<br>
slide26. Tactical Patient Care (3 of 4) EMS Care in the Tactical Environment
Most tactical medics (EMT-Ts and SWAT medics) are trained in the following:
Team health and management
Care under fire
Officer rescue
Medical operations preplanning and medical intelligence
Responding to the active shooter
Special medical gear for tactical operations<br>
slide27. Tactical Patient Care (4 of 4) EMS Care in the Tactical Environment (cont.)
Most tactical medics (EMT-Ts and SWAT medics) are trained in the following: (cont.)
Personal protective gear
Special needs for extended operations
Preventive medicine
Management of weapons of mass destruction and toxic hazards<br>
slide28. EMS at Crime Scenes Preserving Evidence
A crime scene is a location where any part of a criminal act has occurred.
The paramedic’s observations at a crime scene are important. They should be documented carefully on the patient care report or other appropriate form.
Patient care is the paramedic’s ultimate priority, even at crime scenes.<br>