Lecture 1 Flashcards
What factors are considered when determining the boundaries of a crime scene?
Primary focal points, entry/exit points, secondary scenes
Why might the boundaries established by the first responding officer change once the forensic identification officer(s) have arrived?
More experience, scene now controlled and doesn’t need as large space, better lighting to see
What are search patterns?
Organized and methodical means of searching a scene.
What factors are considered when selecting a search pattern? (Seven)
- Location and size of area
- Action of suspects and victims at scene
- Terrain
- Environmental conditions
- Training of searchers
- Physical condition of search teams members
- Number of search team members available
List the five search patterns.
Strip or line search
Grid search
Spiral search
Wheel/ray search
Quadrant/zone search
Define a strip/line search.
One or two investigators start at the boundary at one end of the scene and walk straight across to the other side. They then move a little farther along the border and walk straight back to the other side.
In what type of scene is a strip or line search best suited for?
In a scene where boundaries are well established.
Give examples of scenes where strip or line searches are often employed.
Exterior large scenes, for example, yards, parking lots.
What type of search is depicted in this image?
Strip or line search.
How many people are used in a strip or line search?
1-2
Define a grid search.
Two people performing line searches that originate from adjacent corners and form perpendicular lines.
List a pro and con of grid search.
Thorough, but boundaries must be well established in order to use this method well.
How many people are needed for a grid search?
2
What search pattern is depicted in this image?
Grid search
Describe a spiral search.
Searcher moves in an inward spiral from the boundary to the centre of the scene or in an outward spiral from the centre to the boundary.
How many searchers are used in a spiral search?
1
Which type of spiral search is better: inward or outward? Why?
Inward spiral because you are moving from least destructive to most destructive.
What is a drawback of the spiral search?
Often the complete spiral is not possible and evidence is missed.
What type of scenes are spiral searches common for?
Interior scenes
What search pattern is depicted in this image?
Spiral search
Define a wheel/Ray search.
Employees, several people moving from the boundary straight toward the centre of the scene or from the centre straight to the boundary. I.e. in word or outward.
How many searchers are used in a wheel/ray search?
Several people
Why is the wheel/ray search not preferred?
Because the area is between the rays are not searched.
What search pattern is depicted in this image?
Wheel/Ray search