Crime Scene Investigation

Question 1

Recovery of samples

Answer 1

Liquids- clean swab
Dried- scraped or swabbed
Items- seized to lab. Not plastic or staples and seal immediately

Question 2

DNA sources

Answer 2

Blood- minute needed
Faeces- unlikely unless blood in it
Hair- good with root
Nasal secretions- can be good
Salvia-good, most likely from cigarette ends, gags, envelopes, balaclava 
Semen- rich in DNA
Skin- good if deep scratch to draw blood 
Swear- no cellular material
Urine-unlikely 
Vaginal fluid- suitable

Question 3

Recovery methods

Answer 3

Tape- record, use tweezers, two cuts only if bound, secure sticky side up in box with pin
Bottle/can- secure with ties in box. Swan if not taking
Clothing- brown paper bag, seal with tape. Dry wet clothes a on paper sheet
Blood - pipette in to plastic container or dry swab. If dry, take item, cut around or tape lift. Discard 1st meter. Seal between two pieces then envelope
Gum/cigarette - tweezer to container
Hair- keep clumps. Place on edge of tape

Question 4

Document exams

Answer 4

Before fingerprinting
Techniques:
- physical- indentations, physical matching
- exam of printing processes and equipment
- detection of alterations, erasures, counterfeits and forgeries
- ink comparisons
- handwriting and signatures

Question 5

Questioned document

Answer 5

Any document where the authenticity of all or part of the document is in dispute 
Or 
Where the source is unknown 
Or 
Which may have marks of evidential value

Question 6

Specimen/comparison doc

Answer 6

Any material obtained from a proven source and used for comparison with a questioned doc

Question 7

Latent indentations

Answer 7

Handwriting transfers to page physically beneath
To be done before fingerprints.
ESDA- electrostatic detection apparatus

Question 8

Level of evidence - identification opinion

Answer 8

An opinion of identification is generally expressed with the wording:
The author of the specimen material completed (or didn’t) the questioned material

Question 9

Level of evidence - qualified authorship opinion

Answer 9

There are indications the author of the specimen material completed (or did not) the questioned material

Question 10

Conclusion accompanied by annex - for writing comparisons

Answer 10

Explains purpose of comparison
Outlines levels of opinion and reasoning
Provides info on validation and proficiency testing

Question 11

Sending docs for exam

Answer 11

Brief report
Descriptions of each 
Package questioned doc 
Unfold if necessary
Seal airtight if wet, don't dry 
Put in sleeves and cardboard between 
Label before putting doc in

Question 12

Plant/ mushroom at scene

Answer 12

Dry before envelopes 
Count plants
Measure shortest, tallest and average 
10 plants- leaf sample
11-20 - sample of 10
100+ - 50 leaf (at least 28g)

Question 13

Computers at crime scene

Answer 13

Isolate from phone lines 
Determine if on or off and leave as is 
Photo if on 
Pull cord out of back first or battery out if laptop 
Collect removable storage and docs 
Look for written passwords/usernames etc

Question 14

Fingerprints

Answer 14

Generic term used to describe the ridged skin in the undersides of the palms, fingers and feet or impression left by them
Left due to sweat pores when fridges contact surface. Known as latent print

Question 15

Who and when can get FP

Answer 15

S32 - when in lawful custody and detained for committing offence and at police station
S33 - can detain for FP if going to summons
S34 - destruct FP if charges dropped or acquitted

Question 16

FP forms

Answer 16

Elimination prints pol378

Voluntary prints pol545

Question 17

Reconnaissance

Answer 17

Prelim inspection or survey made to get an overall picture of scene without disturbing evidence 
Allows for:
Prelim reconstruction 
Appreciation 
Plan of action

Question 18

Reconstruction

Answer 18

A theory about what took place in a given area over a relevant period of time and how it is likely to have happened. Formed by logically piecing together all info gained from exam and enquiry

Question 19

Searching scenes

Answer 19

Grid
Lane
Spiral - start central
Zone

Question 20

Decontamination zones

Answer 20

Hot - part requiring exam and evidence collection
Warm - transition zone to enable examiners to put on and take off protective clothing, access equipment , process exhibits etc
Cold - within outer cordon for meetings, meals, scene guards etc
Log movements between zones

Question 21

Admissible

Answer 21

Allowable evidence accepted by the court.

Exhibit must have relevance and just be able to demonstrate reliability through integrity of chain of evidence

Question 22

Blood stain pattern analysis

Answer 22

Pool - lying in position for extended period 
Dripped - direction and movement 
Spattered - impact or blows 
Arterial spurting - injury type 
Back spatter - firearm wound

Question 23

Contamination

Answer 23

When material is added to exhibit post incident

Question 24

Cross contamination

Answer 24

Occurs through the exchange of traces of forensic material between offender, scene, victim and other people.
Example- same vehicle transport

Question 25

Entomological samples

Answer 25

Insect samples collected from scene that can assist objective evidence such as estimated time of death

Question 26

Latent samples

Answer 26

Hidden or concealed

I.e not present to human eye but revealed with powder, chemicals or lighting

Question 27

Integrity of evidence protected through

Answer 27

Controlling access and documenting
Exams done by trained or qualified
Chain of evidence secure
Tested when presented in court

Question 28

Order of exam

Answer 28

Preferred sequence of exam or analysis

Question 29

Persistence

Answer 29

Length of time forensic material is able to be detected following a crime

Question 30

Primary transfer

Answer 30

Direct transfer of forensic material from one party to another. Generally requires contact.

Question 31

Secondary transfer

Answer 31

Indirect transfer of evidence to third party

Ie Male a fibre on to women. Women to Male b. No contact between a and b

Question 32

Significance

Answer 32

Evidential value of material sample for the evidence collection. Important in decision making about what samples for analysis

Question 33

Trace evidence

Answer 33

Microscopic or minute samples of evidence