Chapter 2 - Crime Scene Investigations

Question 1

Relevant Evidence

Answer 1

Evidence that is important/relates to the case and has the ability to prove probability/improbability.

Question 2

Probative Evidence

Answer 2

Evidence that proves or disproves something; think PROBING the question at hand.

Question 3

Prejudicial Evidence

Answer 3

Evidence that influences people and establishes preconceived biases towards the matter at hand; think PREJUDICES.

Question 4

Evidence

Answer 4

• Anything that is introduced as part of the trial.
• Can come in many forms such as physical, behavioral, chemical, etc).

Question 5

Individual Characteristics

Answer 5

Features that are of a unique and specific origin with a very high degree of certainty.

Question 6

Identification

Answer 6

• Determining the identity of an unknown substance.
• The goal is to accurately identify the material.

Question 7

Comparison Analysis

Answer 7

• Connecting a standard reference sample from a known origin to an unknown substance with unknown origin
• Goal is to determine if the 2 samples share a common source.

Question 8

One to Many Matching

Answer 8

Matching key features of one sample with many possible matches from a large pool.

Question 9

One to One Matching

Answer 9

Comparing a set of features from an unknown sample with data from a singular reference sample/small group of reference samples.

Question 10

Physical Evidence

Answer 10

• Evidence that is something material and tangible.
• Is measurable and can be observed.

Question 11

Class characteristics

Answer 11

• Properties of evidence narrowed down into a broad, unspecific group.
• Used to generally reduce the possibilities.

Question 12

Individual Evidence (categorizing)

Answer 12

• Categorizing evidence into unique, specific groups that match their individual properties with high probability.
• Provides more of a one-to-one connection.

Question 13

Search Warrant

Answer 13

• An order issued by a judge that permits officers to legally conduct a search at a specific place and time for a specific reason.
• Details what items police are looking for.
• Officers can ONLY take the items listed in the warrant.

Question 14

Probable Cause

Answer 14

The police present substantial evidence to a judge that proves the likelihood of them finding the evidence they are looking for.

Question 15

The 4th Amendment

Answer 15

Protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Question 16

Exclusionary Rule

Answer 16

Evidence from an illegal search cannot be used as direct evidence in court.

Question 17

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine

Answer 17

Evidence obtained during an illegal search cannot be used to find more evidence.

Question 18

Legitimate Expectation of Privacy

Answer 18

Exists in hotel rooms, personal offices, houses, the trunk of a car.

Question 19

Plain View Doctrine

Answer 19

• Officers do not need a warrant to seize evidence that is in plain view.
• They have the right to seize items in places that are plainly visible where they have a right to be.

Question 20

Azimuthal Locating

Answer 20

This process uses a compass arrangement to locate the evidence by measuring angles and distances to a known geographic point.

Question 21

Coordinate Mapping

Answer 21

This technique divides the crime scene into a grid of small squares for searching.

Question 22

Boundary

Answer 22

The border surrounding potential physical evidence.

Question 23

Triangulation

Answer 23

The use of two fixed points in the crime scene to fix the position of the object accurately.

Question 24

Chain of Custody

Answer 24

• The process that tracks the movement of evidence by analyzing its entire “lifecycle.”
• Documenting when it was collected, who handled it, the dates/times it’s been transferred/handled, and the purpose of each transfer.

Question 25

Mincy v. Arizona

Answer 25

This case limited the length of time that a warrantless search was justified during emergency conditions.

Question 26

Michigan v. Tyler

Answer 26

• In the case of an emergency, a warrantless search may be conducted (to determine the cause) for a reasonable amount of time.
• Reentries into the crime scene require a proper warrant.

Question 27

First Responder

Answer 27

The initial emergency responder/officer to arrive on the scene.

Question 28

Reference Sample

Answer 28

• A sample collected from a verified source.
• Examples: fingerprints, hair follicles.

Question 29

4 Steps in Processing a Crime Scene

Answer 29

1. Securing and isolating the scene
2. Recording and documenting the scene-
3. Searching and collecting evidence- searching for relevant evidence.
4. Packaging, transporting, and storing evidence.

Question 30

Securing and Isolating the Scene (#1)

Answer 30

• Ensuring that the scene is safe.
• Preserving the scene.

Question 31

Recording and Documenting the Scene (#2)

Answer 31

• Documenting the crime scene with mapping, drawings, and photographs
• Triangulation, azimuthal locating, coordinate mapping, electronic methods.

Question 32

Searching and Collecting Evidence (#3)

Answer 32

Searching for relevant evidence.

Question 33

Packaging, Transporting, and Storing Evidence (#5)

Answer 33

• Carefully packing and removing evidence to prevent as much degradation and contamination as possible.
• Follows the chain of custody.

Question 34

3 types of crime scenes

Answer 34

1. Outdoor scene
2. Indoor scene
3. Conveyance scene

Question 35

Outdoor Scenes

Answer 35

• Technicians are required to work outdoors where the area is subject to all types of weather conditions.
• Must be processed as quickly as possible.

Question 36

Indoor Scenes

Answer 36

Technicians work in smaller, closed-in conditions.

Question 37

Conveyance Scenes

Answer 37

• Scenes that involve some form of transportation.
• Cars, planes, trucks, trains, etc.
• Involves retracing the pathway of vehicles.

Question 38

Warrantless Search

Answer 38

A search that occurs through well-established exceptions to the 4th amendment’s requirement where a prior warrant is required.