Basic Physical Evidence Flashcards
Identify/demonstrate the proper methods of evidence documentation
Written/recorded notes - legible, clear and understandable. Must be accurate.
Photographs - must be fair and accurate. 3 views of scene: overall, intermediate, and close up. Add numbers/scale after scene is shot in pristine condition.
Sketches -
Recognize three types of evidence
Testimonial - Statement of a witness in court
Documentary - Evidence in written rather than oral form. Anything with writing on it: paper, stone, map, computer, disc. If entered into evidence, documentary evidence will be marked as an exhibit.
Physical - Real evidence has form and mass. May be visible or invisible. Helps establish elements of the crime.
Identify and demonstrate the proper methods to locate, collect, and package evidence
Zone/sector - used inside/outside. Breaks large areas into smaller
Clockwise/counterclockwise - useful indoors conducted from eye level up and eye level down then repeated
Spiral - used indoors. Limited uses outdoors. Used in underwater searches where visibility is limited
Strip - used outdoors. Searchers line up side by side and search in lines.
Identify the process for establishing and maintaining a chain of custody document
Mark each item for ID purposes
Complete evidence label
Seal items in proper manner
Record chain of custody at every stage
Identify the procedures for requesting laboratory analysis of evidence
Call lab for specific instructions. When requesting latent print examinations place nonporous evidence in individual protective coverings such as thick transparent envelopes.
Place porous evidence in individual protective coverings such as paper envelopes
Stabilize the evidence to avoid movement
Identify the components of documents and the information available to the investigator from each of these components.
Paper - the more expensive the paper the greater the potential for ID.
Ink - can be analyzed to determine the information about the source, to determine if the substances being used are similar and to determine the age of the ink. USSS has largest ink library 7000.
