What is a commonly recognized method of criminal scene search?

Grid search and strip search are both systematic methods employed to thoroughly examine a crime scene for evidence. A grid search involves dividing the area into smaller sections and searching each section in one direction, then returning to search in an intersecting direction, forming a grid pattern. This ensures comprehensive coverage and helps to minimize the chances of overlooking evidence.

In contrast, a strip search focuses on a long, narrow strip of the area, where investigators take a methodical approach to search along a straight path, ensuring that no area is missed. These techniques are particularly useful in extensive outdoor environments or scenes where critical evidence could be easily overlooked.

While helicopter surveillance, fingerprint collection, and gathering information from witnesses are all important components of criminal investigations, they do not specifically represent methods for searching a physical crime scene for evidence. Helicopter surveillance may assist in locating a scene or observing large areas from above, fingerprint collection is a technique used to gather specific types of evidence, and information gathering from witnesses can provide context and insight regarding the crime itself but does not involve physically searching the scene. Thus, grid and strip searches are the recognized methods for physically examining a crime scene.