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
