4102FSBMOL - Crime Scene House - Evidence Packaging & Documentation.

Question 1

What does CSM stand for?

Answer 1

Crime Scene Manager.

Question 2

What is the role of a Crime Scene Manager?

Answer 2

• Signing CSI’s in and out of the scene.
• Doing an initial walkaround of scene.
• Placing Tent numbers down on visible evidence.
• Co-ordianting the Forensic Team.
• Managing the use of time.
• (Collect and Package evidence correctly without contamination).
• Make a report on evidence collected at the scene.

Question 3

What does CSI stand for?

Answer 3

Crime Scene Investigator.

Question 4

What is the role of a Crime Scene Investigator?

Answer 4

• Follow the Crime Scene Managers’ instructions.
• Be signed in and out of the scene.
• Collect evidence and package correctly.
• Minimise/ stop contamination.
• Document the collection of evidence at the scene (contemporanous notes).

Question 5

What do you need to make sure with the type of Evidence Packaging?

Answer 5

That it is correct and fits the item of evidence you need to collect and package.

Question 6

If you have evidence in a box what do you need to make sure?

What can you add to do this?

Answer 6

It it secured correctly inside the box so it doesn’t rattle around inside and lose the evidence.

It can be strapped down with cable ties, it can be cellotaped or inserts can be used.

Question 7

Why is it important to seal ALL openings?

What happens if this doesn’t happen?2

Answer 7

So the evidence item doesn’t get contaminated (things get into the packaging). Or so the item doesn’t lose it’s evidence (evidence escapes out the holes/ openings).

It also could show signs of tampering if it is found not properly sealed and won’t be admissible in court.

Question 8

Why is it important for you to sign over seals (cellotape)?

What info needs to be put over the seals?

Answer 8

To show any signs of tampering if it is found with broken information (not in the original state).

• Signature.
• Date.
• URN.

Question 9

What does URN mean?

Answer 9

Unique Reference Number.

Question 10

What is special about a Unique Reference Number?

Answer 10

It is specialised to yourself and it helps to keep track of the numbers of the items of evidence you packaged in what order (e.g. ABC1 was packaged first and then ABC2 was packaged second).

Question 11

What type of things do you need to include when describing the evidence?

Answer 11

• Size.
• Colour.
• Volume.
• Wear/Tear.
• Unique Features.

Question 12

Why does each item of evidence need to include an address?

Answer 12

So it can be identified as coming from that crime scene.

Question 13

Why does each item of evidence need to include your signature?

Answer 13

So it is proof that you are the one who packaged it (signature is unique to you).

Question 14

Why does each item of evidence need to include the date?

Answer 14

So it can be located as being packaged on a certain day for if needed.

Question 15

Why does each item of evidence need to include the time it was packaged?

Answer 15

So it can be tracked.

Question 16

Why does each item of evidence need to include the incident/crime number?

Answer 16

So it can be tracked back to coming from that crime scene/ that crime.

Question 17

Why is it important to fill in a Crime Scene Examination Form?

Answer 17

It is a legal document and all parts must be filled in correctly, otherwise it won’t be sent to court. This means evidence won’t be addmissable. It allows the court to follow the contemporanous notes and will be useful for the jury and prosecution/ defence to be able to scrutinise you if something is wrong. It also helps you to remember actions you did as some court cases can be a long time after the event!

Question 18

What are the different fields you need to fill in at the top of a Crime Scene Examination Form?

Answer 18

• Date and Time of Offence.
• Type of Offence.
• Date and Time of Examination.
• Investigating Officer.
• Crime Reference Number.
• Victims Name and Address.
• M.O: Modus Operandi - reason why the crime happened (motive behind the offender).

Question 19

Why is it important to be signed into and out of the scene?

(document this in notes incl. Time and Address)

Answer 19

To let anyone know what time you entered and where, so it can be tracked.

YOU MUST SIGN OUT OF THE SCENE! Otherwise you are still there!

Question 20

Why do you need to put a line under the last line of working and cross out the rest of the blank space and sign?

Answer 20

To show you have finished your examination. If anything is found to be written in these areas it can be shown as tampering.

Question 21

What intial observations do you need to note down when at/ in a crime scene?

Answer 21

CCTV/ video footage from ring door bells etc. (accessible)? Open windows? Heating on/off? Tv on? Weather? Any missing items? Curtains or blinds being open/closed? Doors being open/ closed? Signs of forced entry? Mail lying around? Tidy/ signs of parties (empty bottles or glasses)? Anything seems out of place? Rubbish lying around? Clocks showing the correct/ incorrect time? Any wet towels or cloths (signs of cleaning up)? Rubbish in bins (signs of discarding evidence)? Any bullet casings/ weapons?

Question 22

Why is it important for notes to be contemporanous?

Answer 22

It is at the time of the examination - follows every step you take so it can be re-looked at in the future if needed.

Question 23

Why MUST you sign and date the bottom of each page?

Answer 23

To keep track of every page, so if one goes missing it will be noticed. It allows you to see who made those notes too becasue of the signature.

Question 24

Why do we need to package evidence?

Answer 24

• Preserving and maintaining the evidence.
• Protects personnel from possible hazards associated with the
  evidence.
• Transportation.
• Ensures the integrity of the evidence.
• Protects against: Loss, Contamination, Cross-transfer of material, Deterioration/degradation (minimisation) and Interference or alteration.

Question 25

What different Packaging Types are there?

Answer 25

• Polythene Bags.
• Paper Bags.
• Nylon Bags.
• Carboard Boxes - variety of sizes.
• Plastic/ Glass Containers (Vials) - Knife/Syringe Tubes.
• Swabs.
• Beechams/ Paper wrap.
• Faraday bags.
• Matchboxes.

Question 26

What are Polythene Bags used for?

Answer 26

• Primary: non-volatile items and damp items (preferrably dry items).
• Secondary: trace evidence such as fibres, tapings, hairs, nail clippings (beechams wrap), dried blood on swabs etc.

Question 27

What is the issue with packaging wet/damp items in a Polythene Bag?

Answer 27

It can sweat and lose its evidence.

Question 28

What are Paper Bags used for?

Answer 28

• Primary: dry clothing, shoes, plant material (cannabis).

Question 29

How do Paper Bags need to be sealed?

Answer 29

A double fold to prevent loss of evidence.

Question 30

What are Nylon Bags used for?

Answer 30

• Primary: primary container for accelerants and other volatile compounds – i.e. solvents in lung sections, most chemically contaminated items can be placed into a nylon bag. Also Carpet/clothing with accelerants on it can be placed in them.

Question 31

What special type of closure do you need to seal a Nylon Bag?

Answer 31

Swan Neck Packaging - twist and then fold over and attach a security seal tag or cellotape down to seal.

Question 32

What are Cardboard Boxes used for?

Answer 32

• Primary: Heavier items, Casts, Mugs/glasses/bottles, Weapons – crowbars/ hammers/ screwdrivers/ guns, ESLA Lifts (box with window) and Documents (Cheques/ Money).

Question 33

What can you use to secure items in a carboard box?

Answer 33

Cable Ties, Cellotape, Inserts.

Question 34

What are Plastic/ Glass Containers (vials) used for?

Answer 34

• Primary: unknown liquid samples, Tissue samples, Storage of corrosive chemicals or unknown chemicals, Knives/ Syringes (sharp objects), hair, soil, skin scraping samples.

Question 35

What are Swabs used for?

Answer 35

• Primary: Blood.

Wet blood a swab can be directly applied, dried blood you may need to use deionised water to damp the swab head a bit.

Question 36

What is the Beechams/ Paper Wrap used for?

Answer 36

• Primary: Hairs, Fibres, skin scrapings.

Question 37

What are Faraday Bags used for?

Answer 37

• Primary: Phones, tablets – anything which contains digital information,

(look for chargers or anything that may go with it).

Question 38

What are Matchboxes used for?

Answer 38

• Primary: Cigarette Butts.

Question 39

What do you need to fill in if there is no evidence information on the packaging?

Answer 39

An evidence/ exhibit label.

Question 40

What do you need to do before touching each evidence item?

Answer 40

Change Gloves and Photograph Evidence.

Question 41

What are the 2 methods to collect footprints?

Answer 41

ESLA and Casting.

Question 42

What does ESLA stand for?

Answer 42

Electrostatic Lifting Apparatus.

Question 43

What are the 2 types of footwear marks?

Answer 43

Positive and Negative Footwear marks.

Question 44

What is a Positive Footwear mark/impression?

Answer 44

A positive footwear impression is when a shoe leaves material on a surface.

Question 45

What is a Negative Footwear mark/impression?

Answer 45

A negative impression is when a shoe removes material from a surface.

Question 46

What type of impression is footwear casting used for?

Answer 46

• 3D footprints.
• Negative Impressions.

(left a mark in soil/sand - hole).

Question 47

What type of impression is ESLA used for?

Answer 47

• 2D footprints.
• Positive Impressions.

(left material blood/dust).

Question 48

What is the name of the film used in ESLA?

Answer 48

A Mylar Sheet (black on one side, silver on the other).

Question 49

What must you be aware of when using the ESLA?

Answer 49

You can get electrocuted if you touch the electrodes, metal plate or mylar sheet when the apparatus is turned on.

Question 50

What do you have to package an ESLA lift and a footwear cast into?

Answer 50

A carboard box with a window. It needs to be secured down with cellotape (ELSA lift) and zip ties (cast).