Crime Scene Response/Processing Flashcards
What is a crime scene?
Locations where a suggested criminal offense has occurred and where potential evidence related to the crime is located
Steps/Stages of Crime Scene Processing
- Scene is secured and protected
-Scene is carefully examined
-Scene is photographed
-Scene is sketched
-Scene in methodically searched/evidence is collected
What step of crime scene processing is often missed?
Carefully examining the scene
Locard’s Exchange Principle (Theory of Transfer)
Anyone of anything entering a crime scene takes something of the scene with them and leaves something of themselves behind when they depart
Strengths of Securing the Scene
Suspects takes things into the scene
Weaknesses of Securing the Scene
Creates contamination, things taken away from the scene
Can contamination be eliminated?
No. There will always be a level of contamination, we must try to prevent it or reduce it
What is the primary responsibility of the initial responding officer?
-To render aid (if necessary)
-Establish and protect the crime scene
What is a common error of securing a crime scene?
Securing too small of an area
Crime Scene Log
A log that maintains a chronological list of every person that enters and leaves the crime scene
How can we control/prevent contamination?
-Establish a scene that is not too small and control the scene
-Create a crime scene log, so we know who is on the scene
Visual Examination of Crime Scene
-An attempt to determine the sequence of events
-Preliminary photographs are taken to capture the exact appearance of the scene
Is there anything taken or touched during the visual examination?
No
Why do we photograph a crime scene?
Photographs provide a permanent record of how the scene appeared upon discovery
T/F. Photos must be taken of a crime scene before anything is altered of moved
True
