Chapter 2: The Crime Scene Flashcards
How many steps are there to process a crime scene?
8 steps
What are the processing crime scene steps?
- Securing and isolating the crime scene
- Recording the crime scene
- Conducting a systematic search for evidence
- Collecting and packaging physical evidence
- Maintaining the chain of custody
- Obtaining standard/reference samples
- Submitting evidence to the laboratory
- Ensuring crime scene safety
What is the first responding police officer to a crime scene is responsible for?
- Acquiring medical assistance for injured victims
- Detaining any potential suspects or witnesses.
- Securing the crime scene to the greatest extent possible.
- Calling for any additional personnel needs such as other officers and/or forensic investigators.
Give examples on what to do to secure the crime scene?
- The boundaries of the crime scene must be secured with the crime scene tape, ropes, or cones.
- The secured area should include the area where the crime took place and the surrounding area where physical evidence may be located.
- Once the boundaries are secured, guards may be posted to restrict access to the crime scene.
- A detailed log is kept of personnel movements in and out of the crime scene. This log includes personnel names and time of entry and exit.
What should investigators NEVER do at a crime scene?
Never do anything that might alter the crime scene including smoking, eating, drinking, etc.
What does the search pattern selected at a crime scene depend on?
Depends on the size and locale of the scene and the number of collectors participating in the search.
What are the 3 methods for crime scene recording?
Photography, sketches, and notes (hand written in ink)
After analyzing the evidence and scene what should you prepare?
A running narrative
What should crime scene notes consists of?
- The identity of the person who contacted the investigator.
- Time of contact and arrival at the crime scene.
- Preliminary case information.
- Personnel present on arrival and those being contacted.
How are notes taken at a crime scene?
Notes are written in a bound notebook in blue or black ink.
What is important to keep in mind when taking crime scene notes?
Keep in mind that this written record may be the only source of information for refreshing one’s memory.
What locations should the crime scene photos consist of?
Crime scene photographs should record the area in which the crime actually took place and all adjacent areas where important acts occurred.
What are the 4 minimum photographs required at a crime scene?
- An overview
- Medium range
- Close up
- Close up with scale
Visual tags are included in what type of photograph at a crime scene?
Overview photos
What is a visual tag?
An object recorded in multiple overview photographs, to help visually piece the scene together.
Which photos at a crime scene include evidence markers?
Medium range photos
Which type of photo include the “center” of the scene?
Medium range photos
What angle of degree is required for a close up photo?
90 degrees
What 4 type of crime scene videos are there?
overview, medium range, and close up videos
What is a narrated crime scene video?
Combines photography and notes with ONLY ONE person narrating.
What are the 5 patterns in which to search a crime scene?
- Line/strip search pattern
- Grid search pattern
- Spiral search pattern
- Wheel/ray search pattern
- Quadrant/zone search pattern
What is another search done at a crime scene?
Vehicle searches
What are the types of sketches done for a crime scene and when are they done?
- Rough sketch – created at crime scene
- Final sketch – created after using CAD
What are the 2 main procedures for crime scene collection?
- Bag and tag
- Packaging
What is the chain of custody and when it is presented?
- A list of all persons who came into possession of an item of evidence.
- Must be established whenever evidence is presented in court as an exhibit.
What is a standard/reference sample?
Physical evidence whose origin is known
What is examples of standard/reference samples?
Ex. blood or hair from a suspect or victim
What are the 3 steps when departing a crime scene?
- The experienced lead investigator decides when all pertinent physical evidence has been recorded and collected at the crime scene.
- A final survey is undertaken to visually review the scene and collect all evidence and equipment.
- Following the final survey, the crime scene is released to the proper authorities.
Where is evidence submitted to?
The laboratory
What do most labs required when submitting evidence?
An evidence submission form with all evidence submitted
What is it recommended to wear at a crime scene?
- Latex gloves
- Chemical resistant clothing (Tyvek-type shoe covers, a particle mask/respirator, goggles, or face shields)
The removal of any evidence from a person or from the scene of a crime must be done in conformity with….?
Fourth Amendment privileges
When is search and seizure without a court-approved warrant justified?
- The existence of emergency circumstances
- The need to prevent the immediate loss or destruction of evidence
- A search of a person and property within the immediate control of the person provided it is made incident to a lawful arrest
- A search made by consent of the parties involved
Search and seizure protocols were put into place due to what court case?
v. Tyler
