Collection and Preservation of Evidence Flashcards
When does the chain of custody begin and end with evidence?
Begins the moment evidence is discovered and continues till it ends when its presented in court.
First officer at scene, should not move or touch anything, and provide medical attention and should try not to disturb the scene. If the scene is disturbed or altered the officer should?
Note this to investigators and in their report.
To preserve a crime scene officers should do the following upon arrival?
- Request necessary assistance, 2. ID, separate detain persons found at the scene, 3. Note date, time of arrival, and any evidence, 4. isolate the perimeter of scene with crime scene barrier and keep unauthorized out. 5. Protect evidence. Refer to CSI’s or BCI on collection if not familiar with collection of evidence.
Reports taken by an officer processing at a crime scene will consist of?
The case #, Officers name, date & time of notification and arrival at scene, the location of the scene, name of susp, victs, wits. Processing action taken such as; # of pictures taken, type of camera, sketches & measurements, evidence collected and methods used to collect.
With documenting physical evidence collected/ recovered at the scene it should include?
A description, the officer collecting it, assigned evidence tag number & disposition of the physical condition of it.
Photography: What are some of the procedure requirements in videoing or photographing a crime scene?
It should be done prior to any search. If a team situation 1 person should do all the photography/video. No one or equipment should be in the scene when capturing. Unless exigent circumstances, no evidence should be moved or examined until its been photo and/or video from all relevant angles.
Crime scene photographs/video should include?
The approaches to the crime scene, surrounding areas, the actual crime scene, relevant close-ups (2 pics, one with and then w/o scale), body positions (n,s,e,w perspective and ID face shot), and evidence.
What should evidence items photographed depict in relation to the crime scene sketch and notes?
the picture should depict its exact location in relation to it.
Crime scene sketch should include the following documentation on it?
Dimensions, Relation of the crime scene to other buildings, address, floor or room #, location of significant features, Date & Time, name of person preparing it. Direction North, locations of evidence recovered.
What are the three types of fingerprint evidence?
Visible, Plastic, Latent.
What are elimination prints?
Prints of persons who had legal access to the crime scene or evidence. Used to eliminate them from suspect prints.
A lifted fingerprint card will have the following info on it;
Case number, date/time of lift, name of officer, exact place where the print was lifted, type of object print was lifted from and sketch if necessary.
When can evidence be collected?
After the search has been completed, sketches & photographs been taken.
With evidence collection how many members of the BCI/CSI unit will collect the evidence at a scene?
1 will be the lead collector. This will allow orderly professional gathering of items to ensure security, safe handling and proper chain of evidence.
If any officer touches evidence w/out protective gloves what should happen?
It should be noted on field notes and the final report.
How should blood samples be secured and stored?
Secured in properly sealed containers and promptly stored in the secured evidence refrigerator.
How should wet/blood clothing be packaged?
Should be air dried and packaged in paper bags.
How should physiological tissue be packaged?
tissue should be placed into a container and frozen.
Items possible supporting latent fingerprints should be protected from what during packaging?
should be protected from movement or actions that might destroy or contaminate the prints.
Items containing semen, saliva should be…
Air dried and packaged in paper products (bags, envelopes etc..)
All property should be packaged and sealed. The container or packaging will be….
dated and initialed.
The main purpose in using proper containers is to prevent a change in the physical evidence to prevent these following examples:
Loss by leakage, Evaporation or seepage, contamination, mixing or mingling, alteration, and pilferage.
Who is directly responsible for the preservation and security of the evidence?
The BCI Detective and Investigating Officer.
Glass canning jars or metal paint cans are used for what in securing or packaging evidence?
Volatile substances (ie gas or flammable substances)
