Initial response and scene security

Question 1

Who is called within the three-tiered response:

Answer 1

Police, Emg’s, and the Fire department

Question 2

T or F: the safety of first responders is paramount

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What comes after the priority of first responders?

Answer 3

Preservation of life (if the person is not deceased)

Question 4

What must be first established on a scene?

Answer 4

An inner and outer perimeter, but also a “path of contamination”

Question 5

Path of Contamination:

Answer 5

Asses boundaries and instructs first responders how to enter and exit the scene.
- Least likely to have evidence or to be travelled by suspect and victim.

Question 6

What is the role of the responding officer?

Answer 6

Ensure safety of first responders. . .
- Asses’s scene and secure (path of contamination)
- Documentation
- Transference of responsibility

Question 7

What further establishes scene safety?

Answer 7

Looking for immediate threats to first responders
- Render scene (see if suspect is on scene)

Question 8

Lifesaving measures are done once . . .

Answer 8

Scene is deemed safe

Question 9

Scene security is preserved through . . .

Answer 9

• Phsysical presence
• Police line tape
  -Locks/barriers
• method depends
• barricades (vehicles)
• Methods (scope/location)
• Death investigation (tents to conceal death)

Question 10

What perimeters are there?

Answer 10

Inner and Outer

Question 11

Inner:

Answer 11

Core area where criminal act occurred

Question 12

Outer:

Answer 12

Includes probable entry and exit routes
- police tape

Question 13

Rule of thumb:

Answer 13

Designates a large perimeter
- Always better to make the Perimeter bigger, and then adjust.

Question 14

Security log:

Answer 14

Documented notes of all peoples who enter and exit the scene

Question 15

Who takes care of the security log:

Answer 15

Scene security officer

Question 16

What does the scene security log contain?

Answer 16

• Name and affiliation
• Time and entry
• Why their on the scene
• Under whose authority

Question 17

What does the security log ensure?

Answer 17

• Crime scene and evidence
• Possible contamination/cross contamination
  Especially in important cases where crime scene record evidence and analyzed (a lot of time)

Question 18

What is the process of documentation?

Answer 18

1. Entering scene
2. Observe (take written notes)
3. Document everything (including info surrounding dispatch and arrival at scene)
   - Even negative info (mistakes/honest errors disclosed)

Question 19

T or F: It is also important to document witness statements

Answer 19

True

Question 20

What causes contamination of evidence?

Answer 20

Human error, and not wearing PPE

Question 21

What does PPE include?

Answer 21

• Tyvek suits
• Disposable shoe covers
• Mask/other respiratory protection (covers mouth and nose)
• Googles/eye protection
• Face shield (prevent droplets of fluid)

Question 22

Double glove technique:

Answer 22

Wear two purple nitrile gloves on top of one another
- Prevents accidental tear and contamination of evidence

Question 23

T or F: the CSI is one of the first people to arrive at the scene

Answer 23

True

Question 24

Prelim assessment:

Answer 24

Ongoing process
- Initial walkthrough completed and takes notes.

Question 25

"Look but don't touch"

Answer 25

Develop a plan and approach - Dont touch evidence without PPE

Question 26

What does the initial walkthrough allow?

Answer 26

- Determine the nature/extent of the scene - CSI may adjust the perimeter - Develop a theory of crime - Create a rough sketch (evidence location) - Develop team approach - Determine search technique

Question 27

What are two legal aspects when obtaining evidence?

Answer 27

Search and Seizure

Question 28

Search:

Answer 28

"Something that infringes one's reasonable expectation of privacy"

Question 29

Seizure:

Answer 29

"The taking of a substance thing belonging to, or in care and control of persona by public authority"

Question 30

T or F: Reasonable searches and seizures are accepted as a valid social society mechanism

Answer 30

True

Question 31

"Everyone has the right to be secure against reasonable search and seizure"

Answer 31

Requires that unjust searches do not occur. - Accomplished through pre-judicial authority

Question 32

Search warrants provide . . .

Answer 32

1. Judicial review and authority 2. No warrant= search unreasonable 3, Prosecution must prove that the search is not unreasonable

Question 33

Expectations to pre-authorized search warrant

Answer 33

1. Incident to arrest and investigative detention 2. Consent and abandonment 3. Plain view doctrine 4. Exigent circumstancnces

Question 34

Incident to arrest and investigative detention:

Answer 34

May search person and immediate vicinity (arrest/seize) if the search is conducted (reasonable manner).

Question 35

Consent/abandonment:

Answer 35

Persona has reasonable expectation (privacy) in relation (entity) to be searched Or The property has been (abandoned.

Question 36

Plain view doctrine:

Answer 36

When conducting a lawful search and if one crime/evidence is in plain view (seize)

Question 37

Exigent circumstances:

Answer 37

If the court finds circumstances existed (required immediate) action (ensure safety) - Evidence that isn't feasible has to obtain judge authorization

Question 38

T or F: crime scene searches are intrusive

Answer 38

True

Question 39

T or F: searches are methodological and systematic

Answer 39

True

Question 40

Search team members must do the following when performing a search . . .

Answer 40

- What method to use - How (conduct the search) - How (manage evidence found) - Mark items (without touching/altering) - Alert search leader

Question 41

What are the 6 search methods?

Answer 41

- Strip - Grid - Link - Zone - Wheel - Spiral

Question 42

Strip method is also referred to as . . .

Answer 42

"Line method"

Question 43

Strip method:

Answer 43

Search in strips (2 by 4 wide) - Multiple searches (form line where strips overlap) 1. Supervised (search leader) 2. Search (left to right) 3. Move (same pace)

Question 44

What is type of scene is the strip method best used for?

Answer 44

Outdoor scenes

Question 45

Grid method is also referred to as . . .

Answer 45

"Double strip" or "Double line method"

Question 46

Grid method:

Answer 46

- Line search in one direction, change at a 90-degree angle, and search again - 2 searchers, line of searchers

Question 47

What are the pros and cons of the Grid method?

Answer 47

Pro: scene searched twice - Not likely to miss any evidence Con: Time consuming

Question 48

The link method is based on what theory?

Answer 48

Linkage theory

Question 49

What is the most common search method?

Answer 49

Link method

Question 50

Link method:

Answer 50

One thing influences/determines (process and outcome of another) - Not Geometric (based on findings, observation, and logic) - Probability (based on crime, evidence likely found in a particular location)

Question 51

Zone method:

Answer 51

Allows certain zones (prioritized) - Best for scenes within defined zones. - May utilize (other search methods for each zone)

Question 52

Wheel method is also referred to as . . .

Answer 52

"Ray" or "Pie" method

Question 53

Wheel method:

Answer 53

Search critical points and extend outward in straight lines. - Not good in large scenes

Question 54

Spriral method:

Answer 54

Inward: start (outer boundary) and circle towards the critical point Vs. Outward: Start at a critical point and extend outward. Searcher traces regular pattern (fixed diameter)

Question 55

T or F: spiral method is best used for scenes without barriers

Answer 55

True

Question 56

What are the five steps of a vehicle search?

Answer 56

1. Search interior 2. Begin searching in segments (look for fingerprints) 3. Research segments (search for evidence) 4. Search trunk and hood 5. Undercarriage searched - Generally reserved in instances where vehicle was in an accident.