Ch. 11 Evidence Preservation & Sampling Flashcards
Non-law enforcement personnel typically take samples for _____ and less often take samples for _______.
Identification, eventual prosecution
General indicators that a crime is involved: (3)
Anonymous threats leading up to
Nearby notes or graffiti claiming responsibility
Suspicious activity on the scene indicating criminals are still present
Indicators that a letter or package may be suspicious may include: (3)
Excessive postage (so not returned to sender) Threatening messages on exterior or package* Visible leaks or stains
Indicators that legitimate toxic industrial chemicals were released intentionally to cause harm: (3)
Opened valves
Punctures or cuts in containment vessels
Cut locks, chains or other safety devices that would normally be in place
Indicators for environmental crimes (intentional release/disposal of hazmat, byproducts and waste): (3)
Containers (labeled/unlabeled) discarded at site
Staining or odors near street drainage systems
Dead or dying plants, insects, or animals in nearby area
Minute quantity of physical evidence that is conveyed from one place to another:
Trace (transfer) evidence
Anything that can be used to validate a theory or to show how something could have occurred:
Demonstrative evidence
Evidence used in court can be considered either:
Direct or Circumstantial
Facts that can be observed or reported firsthand (suspects, victims or witnesses) and may also include physical evidence
Direct evidence
Information that can be used to prove a theory based on facts that were observed firsthand
Circumstantial evidence
P. 238 Ch. 11
Selection and use of monitoring and detection equipment may vary based on hazards identified but at a minimum will normally include: (5)
Oxygen level meter Combustible gas indicator Radiological monitoring devices pH paper Photo-ionization detector (238-no M8)
The agency that has the legal jurisdiction to enforce a local, state or federal law or regulation and that it is the most appropriate law enforcement organization to ensure the successful investigation and prosecution of such a case.
Investigative authority
Items that can be observed, photographed, measured, collected, examined, in a laboratory and presented in court to prove or demonstrate a point.
Physical evidence
Before moving an object to protect it from damage, make sure: (3)
Witnesses are present
Sketch of the evidence’s location are made
Photograph is taken
Sampling team consists of: (3)
______ who conducts field screening/handles evidence prior to packaging
______ who facilitates proper packaging of evidence/ensures no cross contamination
______ who makes notes during process/photographs items
Sampler
Assistant
Documenter
Evidence that can be used in the legal process to establish a fact or prove a :point
Forensic evidence
Steps when handling evidence
Capture, movement, storage and examination
_______ who had possession of the evidence must be able to attest that it has not been ____, _____, or _____.
Everyone
Contaminated, damaged, changed
______ must establish that the evidence was never out of the control of the responsible agency and no one could have tampered with it.
The documentation
______ should be responsible for collecting and taking custody of all evidence at a scene, no matter who DISCOVERS it.
Only one person (evidence collector or evidence collector custodian)
Responders should not make any statements of ____, _____ or ______ to anyone other than the investigator.
Accusation, personal opinion or probable cause
Inaccurate information can __________, which then becomes _______, which ultimately turns into a reported _______.
Generate a rumor, theory, fact
The priority of first responders is to __________ and often the requirements of evidence collection can create ____________.
Protect lives
Conflict with this mandate
Pubic safety responders must often take samples of materials for the purposes of: (4)
Safety
Control zones
Patient care
Part of hazard risk analysis
Public safety samples
Sample should not be taken under auspices of being evidence unless the collectors are _________.
Sworn law enforcement with AUTHORITY TO DO SO
Public safety samples may be used during ____________ by public safety personnel for the purposes of ______ or _______________ unknown materials.
Testing and analysis
Classifying
Presumptively identifying
Public safety samples
The disposition of these samples as potential evidence must be the decision of __________________, based on numerous factors, including availability of additional materials.
Sworn law enforcement
Environmental crimes include the _____________, their _________, and _____________ into the environment.
Intentional release or disposal of hazardous materials
Byproducts AND
Waste
Evidence preservation/evidence sampling are also important at many scenes where a crime HAS NOT BEEN COMMITTED because _________________________.
Lawsuits may be subsequently be filed by victims to claim or recover damages that resulted from the incident.
P. 238 Ch. 11 Evidence
Regardless whether hazmat evidence originated from illicit lab, suspicious letter…responders should assess the need for PPE based on ___________ and _______________.
Intelligence
Warning signs present at the scene
P. 309 Ch. 14
Detection/sampling AND indicators observed
Any suspicious letter or package that is sent through the postal system is investigated by the _________.
Postal INSPECTION Service
The _________ stage of the response to a potentially criminal hazmat/WMD incident should involve collaboration with the ___________.
Planning
Law enforcement AHJ
The first step in the development of the evidence preservation and/or sampling response plan should include:
Identification of a method to ADEQUATELY SECURE the crime scene
Responders who discover an item that could POTENTIALLY be evidence should: (3)
Leave it in place
Make sure no one interferes with it/surrounding area
Notify LE officer or investigator immediately
Sketches do not need to be complicated. They should be ________ and include ____________ indicating where the evidence is located taken from _______________.
Simple in nature
Exact measurements
At least 2 FIXED POINTS
Photographs should be taken from _______________ to show ___________ of an evidentiary item and should include both ____ _________ views of the evidence and its original location.
Different angles
All sides
Close-up and wide-angle
Special type of sealing tape
Parafilm is commonly used
Special collection container consideration must be taken for ___________and _______ evidence.
Chemical
Biological
Taking samples or collecting evidence should be done either by a _________ or by ______________.
Law enforcement officer
Other nonsworn personnel working under the direction of a law enforcement officer
Document identity and purpose of all personnel who are on scene as well as every person who enters crime scene. “___________” records kept by the incident commander are often a good way to capture that information.
Tag in/Tag out
The _____________ should allow time for all first responders involved in the incident to make notes of their observations upon arrival or any statements overheard, and to document any evidence that may have been disturbed.
Evidence preservation plan
Once responders ____________________, they should sit down and make some written notes on what they did and saw, even if no one asks for them for that information right away.
Get a break
If a responder suspects that an explosive device or material is present, immediate notification should be made to the appropriate _________________ team having jurisdiction.
Hazardous DEVICES
_______ are initial tests conducted to classify substances and identify immediate hazards to responders (VOC, flammable, corrosive, oxidizer, radioactive)
Field screening procedures
The documentation of ________, _________, and the _________ will also help the sampling and collection team determine the most appropriate sampling equipment and tools, as well as size and quantity of containers to bring into the hot zone.
Physical state of the agent
Estimated quantity
Size and condition of the container
Most labs require field screening procedures include nondestructive testing to identify hazmat as preventive safety measure ______________.
Before samples are allowed to enter the laboratory.
_________ are formed to maximize the talent, experience, and resources of several agencies.
Multiagency task forces
