Ch 3 Flashcards
The investigative process begins at the
Crime scene
The type of crime determines the type of
Approach
Who’s responsibility is it to neutralize the crime scene?
First responder
Neutralizing thr crime scene refers to
Making it safe for other personnel to enter the area
This includes the arrest of any suspects and the elimination of any hazards that might present a threat, such as a clandestine drug laboratory.
Neutralization of the crime scene (safety)
The possibility of saving a life takes precedence over the possible
Destruction of evidence
What is one place where a number of witnesses will be together at the same time?
The crime scene
What is the process when When witnesses discuss the crime or overhear others talking about the crime and then adopt some information as their own or alter recollections to fit those of other witnesses
Retroactive interference
T/f
When giving out a broadcast alarm, officers should make a brief contact with the witness and victim to get information on the sp or veh description
True.
What is of critical importance during the broadcast alarm?
Time
What is the first step in processing a crime scen for clues and evidence?
Make an accurate survey of surroundings and evaluate the situation (scene boundaries)
T/f
The crime scene is usually readily discernible
True
The posting of crime scene tape aids in …
Delineating the crime scene area (scene boundaries)
____should be established beyond the initial scope of the crime scene with the understanding that it can be reduce in size if necessary
Crime scene boundaries
T/f
Crime scene boundaries can be easily reduced but cannot be easily expanded.
True
Who is responsible for preparing a chronological log of events as they occur at the scene?
Officers guarding the perimeter
A time based log that documents when an officer enters and leaves the scene
Chronological log
The logging process (chronological log) serves to keep…
Unnecessary officers from entering the scene just to look around.
When is it advisable at a crime to notify those in command positions?
When the scene is firmly under control
What is the obvious media need for law enforcement?
Crime and the police make news
How much does crime reporting coverage make up in local television newscasts?
One third of all coverage
Typically the tasks to be performed by the crime scene investigation team start with..
The systematic search for evidence
What is the main purpose of a search?
To look for evidence of what happened during the crime
The methodology of searching depends on…
The case an the scene
Associates of the single officer search assist in locating evidence but they
Do not disturb or collect it
What is the goal if the single officer search?
To limit the number of officers in possession of crime scene evidence to the officer searching the scene
The use of _____ I searching crimes scenes is valuable as a double check for evidence , but frequently results in conflicting testimony by searching officers
Double coverage
T/f
When the search must be cover a wide area, the available investigators should be assigned in teams
True
A crime scene is the place of the crime, including ..
Any adjoining entry or exit area
T/f
The evaluation of dimensions of a scene is the basis for setting limits on the area of the search, determining in how to organize the search and ascertaining what assistance is needed.
True
Systematic searching has utilized what 5 methods?
Point to point movement Ever widening circle Ever narrowing circle Zone or sector search Strip or grid search
This type of search follows a chain of objects that are obviously evidence
Point to point movement
This technique, in which the searching officer starts at the focal point of the scene or the center of the security area and works outward by circling in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction until the fringes of the protected area are reached
Ever widening circle
The reverse of an ever widening circle, in which the searching officer starts at the outskirts of the crime scene and works toward the focal point.
Ever narrowing circle
Search in which the scene is subdivided into segments and each sector is searched as an individual unit
Zone or sector search.
A search for outdoor areas i. Which the area to be searched is plotted like a football field searching starts at a sideline and moves across the field until the entire area is searched.
Strip search (strip or grid)
—begins after the the strip search is completed. It covers the same area in a similar manner but at RIGHT angles to the previous search pattern. Metal or wood stakes and heavy cord are used to direct and control outdoor searches.
Grid search
Criminal act involved on death, who searches the deceased person?
Field representative if the coroner’s or medical examiner’s office
The method of operation of the offender is referred to as
Modus operandi
When searching a crime scene, investigators should be mindful of what principle?
Locard’s exchange principle
Principle that states that suspects will bring items of evidence into the crime scene and will take items with them when they leave.
Locard’s exchange principle
The experienced investigator is always alert for evidence that may seem unimportant but is
Material and relevant
True or false
the investigator’s fieldnotes should record discovery of evidence
True
Photographs and accurate measurements are necessary to show
The original position and nature of all evidence
The integrity of evidence is maintained by keeping it in
It’s original state
True or false
No alterations are made to any item that is or may be evident
True
What is the continuity of possession
Chain of custody
What must be established when evidence is offered in court as an exhibit?
Chain of custody
Evidence must be package to avoid
Breakage, loss, or contamination in transit
Includes the identification of physical evidence and the finding of its origin
Criminalistics
Individualization of evidence often requires that physical evidence collected at a crime scene be matched with
Known standard of evidence
What case says it is lawful to take a sample from an arrested person charged with a crime in which blood collected as evidence requires a known sample for comparative analysis
Schmerber case
Which amendment protects against compelling a person or suspect to communicate or testify to matters that may incriminate him or her
Fifth Amendment
True or false
The fifth amendment does not protect a person or suspect from being compelled to be the source of real or physical evidence
True
True or false
The recovery of blood, clothing, and hair without consent is not prohibited by the fifth amendment because these are all considered real or physical evidence and thus are subject to the controls of the right to privacy and search and seizure clauses of the fourth amendment, rather then to the self incrimination clause of the fifth
True
Exemplars that have been requested are often less reliable because?
Of intentional disguising of normal writing style or distortions due to nervousness
Requiring a suspect to get handwriting exemplars is not considered to be a request for communications that fall within the protection of the
Fifth amendment
Which amendment prohibits only the compulsion of communicative or testimonial evidence from a defendant?
The fifth amendment
Which amendment is voice identification subject to?
Sixth amendment
True or false
Justices of the US Supreme Court has expressed a minority view point that hand writing exemplars and voice identification are within the scope of constitutional protection
True
Who has the responsibility to transport physical evidence to laboratory, to a place of storage, or to the prosecutors office or the court room
The investigator who found the evidence
When physical evidence sent to a laboratory for scientific examination it must be accompanied by what?
Informative report
Who has the authority to return evidence to the rightful owner?
The prosecutor
When the case is completed, who has the authority to release evidence?
Prosecutor
T/f
The final survey ensures that all of the evidence has been identified and collected and that the scene has been properly processed prior to release
True
The basic Record of the Search and the evidence discovered
Field Notes
Memoranda made by the Investigator during investigation
Fieldnotes
When is the place and time to obtain data for a preliminary investigative report?
At the crime scene during the initial investigation
The offense or crime report originates at the
Operational level
What is the basic purpose for an offense or crime report?
To record and transmit information
True or false
Photography is a substitute for field notes, accurate measurements, and sketches of the scene
False
These type of photos show the locale, your approach route, the means of ingress to the scene or it’s premises, A hallway, two connected rooms, or a view of the scene from the normal entrance
Long range photos
These photos are taken 10 to 20 feet away
Mid range photos
These photos pinpoint a specific object of evidence or a significant segment of the crime scene
Mid range photos
In photographs what can helicopters be used for?
To take aerial photographs of crime scenes
These photos are used for recording evidence in position and detail- location, nature, and condition
Close up photos
These photos are excellent for studying crimes in series to ascertain whether the locations of past crimes suggest the pattern of criminal behavior on which the location of the next crime in the series can be projected
Aerial photos
These photos are excellent for locating outdoor crime scenes or controlling search patterns when large areas must be searched for evidence
Aerial photos
What is the term for the essential elements of the crime?
Corpus delicti
In photographs what is needed to prove corpus delicti
A close up crime scene photographs is needed
Photographs of a weapon and wounds in homicides, tool Marks at the site of forced entry, and a fire setting contrivance or distinctive charring along the fire trails of the Accelerant used in arson- are examples of what type of photos
Close up photos
True or false
Photos can be used to trace the modus operandi of the criminal in the continuity of crimes occurring in the series
True
When he close-up view does not indicate the entire item of evidence, what should the photographer do?
The photographer should show a progression from one end or side of the object to the other side, in a series of sectional views
What type of photography reassures the triers of fact that the entire surface of the item of evidence was examined?
Sectional photography
The number of photographs taken of any single item of evidence depends on what?
On the dimensions of the evidence and the need for photographic detail
What has been a problem in crime scene photography because they intrude upon the photographers reproduction of the scene as he or she found it?
Measurements and measurement markers
The use of what is necessary to put the size of the item in the photograph in perspective?
Measurement marker
True or false
Identification cards or markers used in photographs are placed on top of evidence
False
All photographs of the crime scene in a series are dated and numbered …
Consecutively or identified by a series of film file numbers
What is the basic reason for sketching a crime scene?
To provide an in-depth understanding of the circumstances of the crime beyond the level of comprehension that can be attained solely by reading a written report or studying photographs
True or false
A sketch is more than a written report and less than a photograph in depicting a crime scene
True
Because of its unique virtues, what can supplement both report and photographs
Crime scene sketch
What is an advantage of a sketch over a photograph?
Unnecessary detail can be eliminated where is it cannot be illuminated from the photograph
What is a common error in sketching the crime scene?
Attempting to make an architectural reproduction or too include too many details
What is the first permanent graphic record of an investigation?
The crime scene sketch
When a graphic illustration is meant to clarify a written report —— are needed
Accurate measurements
What are the approved means of measuring distances in criminal investigations?
Steel tapes
What is the greatest disservice an investigator can render when drawing a sketch?
Record in erroneous measurement on a drawing or in his field notes
True or false
In general, measurements are made of the area searched. They are Made first with the eye.
True
In a crime scene sketch measurements should extend along and from what?
Fixed an identifiable points
True or false
In a crime scene sketch, distance measurement with the floating bass should be avoided
True
What can serve as coordinates to locate a point on the sketch only if the angle is broad and has two reference measurements from identifiable fixed points or objects?
Angular measurements
Two sets of measurements are used for… Such as a body, to fix the rotational position of that object
Large items
Why are two sets of measurements use for large items, such as a body?
To fix the rotational position of that object
Can a crime scene area diagram supplement a crime scene diagram?
Yes
What is warranted when one or more of the basic facts in the case is beyond the crime scene itself
A crime scene area diagram
Sketches that pinpoint the location of shoeprints, tire tracks, weapons, and similar evidence link to the crime scene
A crime scene area diagram
What type of diagrams are often used to show the travels of the victim, offenders, bullets, and other moving objects?
Schematic diagrams
True or false
many graphic illustrations are drawn to scale
True
Ideally, the investigator should select a scale that permits reproduction of the scene without completely filling the
8 x 11” paper and allows space for a key or legend and necessary identification
Traditionally, the crime scene sketch has been used as a
Single purpose tool merely to indicate the position of physical evidence at the crime scene
What is the major purpose for the crime scene sketch?
To place various items of physical evidence at the crime scene rather than to serve as a complete graphic report
What is the objective of crime scene sketching?
Should be to graphically present the crime scene in a manner that will permit reconstruction of the crime from details of the sketch
True or false
An ability to draw must be placed high among the necessary skills of an investigator
True
The term used for a request by the defense counsel to the prosecutor before trial for disclosure of the police case against his or her client.
Discovery
What is the objective for discovery?
To aid in making certain the defendant receives a fair trial
What is the most powerful motivation for witnesses?
Revenge
This type of witness does not want to cooperate with the investigation and will usually disappear from a crime scene when the police arrived
Unwilling witness
The universe of possible witnesses that may have seen or heard anything related to the investigation.
View area
The objective in a criminal investigation is to
Determine truth as far as it can be discovered in any inquiry
