Crime Scene and Death Investigation

Question 1

How do you define a crime scene?

Answer 1

1) Location
- Primary Crime Scene (original site) and Secondary Crime Scene)

2) Size
- Macroscopic crime scene // composed of microscopic crime scenes

3) Type of Crime

4) Condition

5) Physical Location

6) Type of Criminal Behaviour

Question 2

What are the crime scene security measures?

Answer 2

• Assist the victim
• Search for/arrest suspect if still on scene
• Detain witnesses and keep them separate from each other and the scene to preserve objectivity
• Protect/Secure crime
• Establish crime scene security log (record who comes in and out, limit access)

Question 3

What are the 4 major tasks of documentation?

Answer 3

1. Note Taking
2. Videography
3. Photography
4. Sketching

Question 4

What are the most common search methods?

Answer 4

1) Link - one type of evidence leads to another
2) Zone
3) Line/strip
4) Wheel/ray
5) Grid
6) Spiral

Question 5

What are forensic pathologists?

Answer 5

Physicians specializing in pathology who then subspecialize in law and medicine

Question 6

What is CAUSE OF DEATH?

Answer 6

The disease of injury that initiated the lethal chain of events, either brief or prolonged, that led to death

Question 7

What is MECHANISM OF DEATH?

Answer 7

Biochemical or physiological abnormality produced by the cause of death that is incompatible with life

Question 8

What are the 5 manners of death?

Answer 8

1) Natural (w/o trauma)
2) Accidental (w/ trauma)
3) Homicidal (w/ trauma)
4) Suicidal (w/ trauma)
5) Undetermined

Question 9

What are the 3 changes in the body to estimate for TIME OF DEATH?

Answer 9

1) Livor Mortis
- discolouration of body due to the settling of red blood cells/circulation of blood stops
- disappears with decomposition after 36 hours from death

2) Algor Mortis
- cooling of body
- assume ambient temperature is lower than body temperature

3) Rigor Mortis
- stiffening of muscles
- 4 hours following death
- glycogen is not reformed in muscles
- disappears 24-36 hours after death