Crime Vehicle Processing

Question 1

If a vehicle is abandoned on or near a highway, do you have lawful authority to search and seize it without a warrant?

Answer 1

Yes, under the highway traffic act

Question 2

If a vehicle is used in a vehicle pursuit or a fail to remain do you have lawful authority to seize and search it?

Answer 2

Yes under CCC

Question 3

When is a vehicle able to be seized and searched without a warrant?

Answer 3

Under s. 489.2 of CCC, you have legal authority to seize and search items that can afford evidence.
If a vehicle is considered to be a “thing” (vs. a place) then a warrant is not required.

Question 4

When is a warrant required to seize and search a vehicle?

Answer 4

If considered a “place”
If taking the vehicle from a person or private property

Question 5

What types of crimes are vehicles often used in?

Answer 5

Break and enters
Robberies
SA
Homicides/attempted homicides
Transportation of bodies

Question 6

In general, what has research shown to be the three main forms of vehicle theft?

Answer 6

Recreational theft
Theft for purpose of transportation
Theft for profit

Question 7

What is recreational vehicle theft?

Answer 7

Typically involves joyriding or stealing a vehicle for fun with not real destination or other motive in crime
Can also be crime of opportunity

Question 8

What is theft for purpose of transportation?

Answer 8

Involves stealing a vehicle for a single trip, transportation associated with or facilitating the commission of another offence

Question 9

What is theft for profit?

Answer 9

Typically involves stripping the vehicle of its parts for re-use or resale, re-tagging or re-identification of the VIN for export or insurance fraud

Question 10

What is best practice for location of vehicle processing?

Answer 10

Police garage

Question 11

Why is a police garage considered best practice for processing crime vehicles?

Answer 11

controlled environment from weather elements and provides better lighting
Officer safety

Question 12

What is the appropriate way to remove a vehicle from a scene?

Answer 12

Via tow truck

Question 13

Where should seals be placed on vehicles?

Answer 13

4 doors
hood
trunk

Question 14

Where is the ideal place for a seal of a vehicle?

Answer 14

Bottom of door

Question 15

What are some circumstances where you may examine a vehicle on scene?

Answer 15

Transport truck (requires specialized two, >$5000)
If vehicle has already been towed to pound
Minor mischief to a vehicle (slashed tire, broken window)

Question 16

True or false: Recovered stolen vehicles have implied consent to examine.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Who might you make additional calls to and for what information?

Answer 17

R/O - property inside prior to it being stolen, any previous damage
OIC - additional information
Outside agency - run plate, how long was it stolen for?

Question 18

What must be considered in terms of suspects?

Answer 18

How many?
Has anyone been arrested?
Were they arrested inside the vehicle?
Could more individuals be involved?
Who was driving the car?
Are the airbags deployed?

Question 19

What should be done when processing a stolen rental car?

Answer 19

If stolen from renter, it is up to them to give consent upon recovery, as long as it is within the agreement timeframe
If it was not returned to rental company by contact date, then it is implied consent from the rental company

Question 20

What information must be verified about a crime vehicle?

Answer 20

Verify license plate, VIN, vehicle make, model, year, colour

Question 21

What must be done if plates were stolen and do not match the vehicle?

Answer 21

Remove plates and print them
Return to MTO

Question 22

Where are the 5 most commons places to locate VINs?

Answer 22

Inside front driver’s door frame/B pillar
Front drivers/rear drivers wheel well
Under the hood by the engine block
Trunk under the spare tire
Drivers side interior dashboard

Question 23

Outline the process for photographing crime vehicles.

Answer 23

ID photo
overall and identifier photographs (at scene and at secure location)
Treat vehicle as the scene:
4 corners, damage, seals, vehicle markers

Question 24

What should be documented during the exterior exam of a vehicle?

Answer 24

Is there any damage?
Are all of the seals intact?
Vehicle markers
Occurrence information
Are the windows open?
Are the keys with the vehicle?
Is the vehicle unlocked?

Question 25

List places to search for prints during the exterior exam

Answer 25

Windows
Door handles
Along on the roof edge
Trunk
Gas cap
Hood

Question 26

Outline the interior exam of a vehicle.

Answer 26

1. Overall photographs
2. Create an inventory of items inside vehicle
3. Collect items for DNA and swab
4. Fingerprint
5. Final search

Question 27

Where to search for fingerprints during the interior exam?

Answer 27

Windows
Rearview mirror
Door handles and gear shifter
Visor mirrors
Interior door frames
Potential items of evidentiary value within vehicle

Question 28

What are the two main types of recording devices used in taxis?

Answer 28

24/7
VerifEye

Question 29

Do the recording devices in taxis record video?

Answer 29

No, just still images in b&w (IR)

Question 30

What is the point of the VerifEye system?

Answer 30

Helps to corroborate stories
Helps to identify suspects

Question 31

Describe the VerifEye system.

Answer 31

Two cameras built in
No audio component
Requires special programming licensed through the city for viewing

Question 32

How does clothing appear in IR?

Answer 32

Dark clothing reflects IR, appearing white
Lighter/white clothing absorbs IR, appearing dark

Question 33

What is the baseline speed of image capturing in VerifEye?

Answer 33

2 FPS

Question 34

What triggers increased speed of capture in VerifEye?

Answer 34

Doors open
Meter starts running
Emergency button is pushed

Question 35

How are taxi cabs processed?

Answer 35

Same manner as other crime vehicles

Question 36

What must be done if taxi cab images are unable to be retrieved?

Answer 36

Full compact flash card must be removed from the black box