Chapter 2: The Crime Scene

Question 1

How many steps are there to process a crime scene?

Answer 1

8 steps

Question 2

What are the processing crime scene steps?

Answer 2

1. Securing and isolating the crime scene
2. Recording the crime scene
3. Conducting a systematic search for evidence
4. Collecting and packaging physical evidence
5. Maintaining the chain of custody
6. Obtaining standard/reference samples
7. Submitting evidence to the laboratory
8. Ensuring crime scene safety

Question 3

What is the first responding police officer to a crime scene is responsible for?

Answer 3

1. Acquiring medical assistance for injured victims
2. Detaining any potential suspects or witnesses.
3. Securing the crime scene to the greatest extent possible.
4. Calling for any additional personnel needs such as other officers and/or forensic investigators.

Question 4

Give examples on what to do to secure the crime scene?

Answer 4

• 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.

Question 5

What should investigators NEVER do at a crime scene?

Answer 5

Never do anything that might alter the crime scene including smoking, eating, drinking, etc.

Question 6

What does the search pattern selected at a crime scene depend on?

Answer 6

Depends on the size and locale of the scene and the number of collectors participating in the search.

Question 7

What are the 3 methods for crime scene recording?

Answer 7

Photography, sketches, and notes (hand written in ink)

Question 8

After analyzing the evidence and scene what should you prepare?

Answer 8

A running narrative

Question 9

What should crime scene notes consists of?

Answer 9

• 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.

Question 10

How are notes taken at a crime scene?

Answer 10

Notes are written in a bound notebook in blue or black ink.

Question 11

What is important to keep in mind when taking crime scene notes?

Answer 11

Keep in mind that this written record may be the only source of information for refreshing one’s memory.

Question 12

What locations should the crime scene photos consist of?

Answer 12

Crime scene photographs should record the area in which the crime actually took place and all adjacent areas where important acts occurred.

Question 13

What are the 4 minimum photographs required at a crime scene?

Answer 13

• An overview
• Medium range
• Close up
• Close up with scale

Question 14

Visual tags are included in what type of photograph at a crime scene?

Answer 14

Overview photos

Question 15

What is a visual tag?

Answer 15

An object recorded in multiple overview photographs, to help visually piece the scene together.

Question 16

Which photos at a crime scene include evidence markers?

Answer 16

Medium range photos

Question 17

Which type of photo include the “center” of the scene?

Answer 17

Medium range photos

Question 18

What angle of degree is required for a close up photo?

Answer 18

90 degrees

Question 19

What 4 type of crime scene videos are there?

Answer 19

overview, medium range, and close up videos

Question 20

What is a narrated crime scene video?

Answer 20

Combines photography and notes with ONLY ONE person narrating.

Question 21

What are the 5 patterns in which to search a crime scene?

Answer 21

1. Line/strip search pattern
2. Grid search pattern
3. Spiral search pattern
4. Wheel/ray search pattern
5. Quadrant/zone search pattern

Question 22

What is another search done at a crime scene?

Answer 22

Vehicle searches

Question 23

What are the types of sketches done for a crime scene and when are they done?

Answer 23

1. Rough sketch – created at crime scene
2. Final sketch – created after using CAD

Question 24

What are the 2 main procedures for crime scene collection?

Answer 24

1. Bag and tag
2. Packaging

Question 25

What is the chain of custody and when it is presented?

Answer 25

• 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.

Question 26

What is a standard/reference sample?

Answer 26

Physical evidence whose origin is known

Question 27

What is examples of standard/reference samples?

Answer 27

Ex. blood or hair from a suspect or victim

Question 28

What are the 3 steps when departing a crime scene?

Answer 28

1. The experienced lead investigator decides when all pertinent physical evidence has been recorded and collected at the crime scene.
2. A final survey is undertaken to visually review the scene and collect all evidence and equipment.
3. Following the final survey, the crime scene is released to the proper authorities.

Question 29

Where is evidence submitted to?

Answer 29

The laboratory

Question 30

What do most labs required when submitting evidence?

Answer 30

An evidence submission form with all evidence submitted

Question 31

What is it recommended to wear at a crime scene?

Answer 31

• Latex gloves
• Chemical resistant clothing (Tyvek-type shoe covers, a particle mask/respirator, goggles, or face shields)

Question 32

The removal of any evidence from a person or from the scene of a crime must be done in conformity with….?

Answer 32

Fourth Amendment privileges

Question 33

When is search and seizure without a court-approved warrant justified?

Answer 33

1. The existence of emergency circumstances
2. The need to prevent the immediate loss or destruction of evidence
3. A search of a person and property within the immediate control of the person provided it is made incident to a lawful arrest
4. A search made by consent of the parties involved

Question 34

Search and seizure protocols were put into place due to what court case?

Answer 34

v. Tyler