Defining a Crime and Crime scene

Question 1

A crime is

Answer 1

An act punishable by law

Considered a public wrong under statute or common law

Handled through criminal proceedings

Question 2

Modus Operandi

Answer 2

Refers to a pattern of criminal behaviour

helps identify repeat offenders and predict future actions

Question 3

A crime scene is

Answer 3

Any location where a crime occured

Or wherre. evidence related to a crime is found

Question 4

What do we get from crime scenes and why are they important

Answer 4

Yield physical evidence

Require control, maintenance, and proper documentation

Question 5

Two key truths about all crime scenes:

Answer 5

1. Locard’s Exchange Principle:

“Every contact leaves a trace”

2. Inconsistency:

Every crime scene is unique

May range from a single room to a large property

Question 6

Primary crime scene

Answer 6

Orginal location where crime occured

Often contains the most usable evidence

Question 7

Secondary Crime scene

Answer 7

Any subsequent location linked to the crime

May help lead investigator to the primary scene

there can also be teritary scenes, etc.

Question 8

Macroscopic crime scene

Answer 8

the overall large scale scene

may include multiple elements (the body, the park, the weapon)

Question 9

Microscopic crime scene

Answer 9

Focus on specific evidence

eg. trace evidence, blood stains, fibers, tool marks

Question 10

Based on type of crime

Answer 10

Homicide, Suicide, Arson, Robbery, Sexual Assault, etc.

Not very descriptive; can change during the investigation.

Question 11

Based on Crime Scene Condition Organized

Answer 11

Evidence of planning, control

Orderly, often efforts to hide or remove evidence

Offender may be methodical or experienced

Question 12

based on crime scene condition Disorganized

Answer 12

Chaotic, impulsive, little planning

Body in open view, evidence left behind

Common among violent or recidivist offenders

Question 13

Based on location type

Answer 13

Indoor, Outdoor, Vehicular, Aquatic

Not highly descriptive—locations may vary or multiply

Important Rule:

Treat every potential scene as a crime scene

But do not assume all scenes are crime scenes without proper evidence

Question 14

Key steps in crime scene managment

Answer 14

1. Intial response
2. securing and preserving scene
3. scene assesment and documentation
4. searching the scene
5. releasing the scene

Question 15

Managing crime scene set up

Answer 15

Inner perimeter:

Core crime area
Evidence most vulnerable to contamination

Outer:

Secures large area
Marked with crime scene tape