physical evidence and crime scene

Question 1

What do you package things with body fluids in?

Answer 1

Manila folder/paper bags

NO PLASTIC

Question 2

What is evidence?

Answer 2

• Testimony, records, documents, material objects, or other things presented at a trial to prove the existence or nonexistence of fact
• Evidence is the exchange of material between two persons, persons to things, or things to things

Question 3

What is physical evidence?

(physical vs testimonial)

Answer 3

Any objects that can establish that a crime has been committed or can provide a link between a crime and its victim or a crime and its perpetrator

Question 4

What are the types of crime scene photography and their purpose?

(Three types)

Answer 4

Overviews
* Widest view of scene

Mid-views:
* Location of evidence in room in relation to other evidence

Close ups:
* Detail a piece of evidence (with scale)

Question 5

What are the cognitive errors in drawing conclusions?

Answer 5

Confirmation bias:
* The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s preconceptions

Anchoring bias (parts per toto):
* Relying too heavily on the initial piece of information (the anchor) when making decisions

Burden of proof ”onus probandi”:
* Shifting the burden of proof from the investigator to the suspect
* The suspect must prove innocence rather than prosecution proving guilt

Question 6

What do you package hair/fibers in?

Answer 6

Paper bindles in envelopes/folders

Question 7

What is the crime scene scientific process?

Answer 7

Crime scene
* Collection and preservation of evidence
* Submission to lab
* Evaluation of results and report

Trial

Question 8

When do you use a spiral search?

Answer 8

• In a small space
• When alone

Question 9

The CSI arriving on scene should first:____

Answer 9

• Evaluate the area and make sure it is secure
• Conduct an initial walk through of the scene
  
  • Take immediate note of details
  • Define extent of crime scene
• Develop a plan for examining and documenting the entire crime scene

Question 10

What do you package firearms in?

Answer 10

• Gun case
• Plastic (without ammunition and clip)

Question 11

When do you use a grid search?

Answer 11

• In large spaces
• When multiple people are available

Question 12

What is direct evidence?

(direct vs circumstantial)

Answer 12

• Establishes “directly” the fact of the information
• Does not need to infer anything regarding the evidence

Types: eyewitness, crime scene photography, ID of a powder as an illicit drug

Question 13

What are class characteristics?

(class vs individual evidence)

Answer 13

class: properties of evidence that can be associated only with a group, never with a single source

• It’s a blue car
• Fiber
• Body fluid (not DNA)

Question 14

What is the crime scene legal process?

Answer 14

Crime scene
* Warrant documentation
* Investigation
* Admissibility in court

Trial

Question 15

What are the classifications of evidence?

Answer 15

• Physical evidence
• Testimonial evidence

• Direct evidence
• Circumstantial evidence

• Reconstruction evidence
• Associated evidence

Question 16

What is associative evidence?

(reconstruction vs associative)

Answer 16

• items that are considered of unknow or questionable origin until a comparison is made to a known standard or exemplar
• helps link a person to a place

Question 17

What do you package volatile evidence in?

Answer 17

Paint cans (prevents evaporation of fumes)

Question 18

What are the types of examination of physical evidence?

Answer 18

• comparison: determining whether two or more objects have a common origin
• Identification: determining a substance’s physical or chemical identity

Question 19

The first officer on the scene should:____

Answer 19

• Call for medical assistance or make arrests
• Secure and isolate the core area of the crime scene from unauthorized personnel

Question 20

What are the best conditions for storing evidence?

Answer 20

Cold and dry

Question 21

When do you use a strip search?

Answer 21

• When under a time constraint
• In a large space
• Multiple people present

Question 22

What are the types of documentation?
Why do we document?

(Four types)

Answer 22

Types of documentation:
* Photography
* Video
* Notes
* Sketch

Reasons to document:
* Create permanent record
* Investigative report
* For presentation at trial

Question 23

What are the crime scene search methods?

(Four types)

Answer 23

• Zone/sector search
• Spiral search
• Strip search
• Grid search

Question 24

What is circumstantial evidence?

(direct vs circumstantial)

Answer 24

• Can infer additional information
• Inferring the individual was at the scene and sexual activity occurred
• but does not imply they are guilty of sexual assault

Ex. Defendant’s semen is found on the victim, therefore links their DN to crime scene

Question 25

Examples of classifications of evidence: | (Eyewitness, bloodstain, and cocaine)

Answer 25

* **Eyewitness:** testimonial, direct, and reconstruction * **Bloodstain splatter:** physical, circumstantial, reconstruction * **Cocaine powder:** physical, direct, associative

Question 26

What are individual characteristics? | (class vs individual evidence)

Answer 26

Individual: properties of evidence that can be attributed to a common source with an extremely high degree of certainty - license plate number - DNA in a strand of hair - Striation marks on a bullet - Fingerprint

Question 27

What are the types of interpretations of evidence? | (three types)

Answer 27

**Deductive:** * General idea to make a specific conclusion **Inductive:** * Using a specific case to make a general conclusion **Abductive (most used):** * Proposes the best possible explanation (hypothesis) for specific observations

Question 28

When do you use a zone search?

Answer 28

In rough terrain outside In a small space

Question 29

What is reconstruction evidence? | (reconstruction vs associative)

Answer 29

provides information about the events preceding, occurring during, and after the commission of a crime

Question 30

What happens once evidence is collected?

Answer 30

**It is:** * Tagged * Signed and sealed * Logged in the crime scene log

Question 31

What is the general process at a crime scene?

Answer 31

1. Secure and isolating the crime scene 2. Crime scene processing a. Preliminary survey b. Official documentation c. Search d. Evidence collection 3. Final survey and release of the scene

Question 32

What should be considered during the preliminary walkthrough?

Answer 32

* Establish scope of crime * Document * Identify perishable evidence * Look for entry/exit points * Plan for further processing

Question 33

What are the results of comparison? | (There are 3)

Answer 33

* **Inclusive:** include as a possible source * *Ex. The DNA from the door handle matches the DNA of the suspect* * **Exclusive:** not a source - Ex. *The DNA from the door handle does not match the SNA of the suspect* - Does not mean innocence, but does not mean proof either * **Inconclusive:** neither include nor exclude as a possible source - *Ex. Not enough DNA was collected from the door handle*

Question 34

What can you package evidence in?

Answer 34

* Manila folders * Druggest fold/paper bindle (put in folder) * Paper bag * Plastic bag * Glass vial or pill bottle * Paint can * Gun box

Question 35

What do you package drug residue in?

Answer 35

Druggest fold/paper bindle in manilla folder