Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Forensics > Crime Scene Investigation > Flashcards

Crime Scene Investigation Flashcards

1
Q

What is forensic science?

A

The application of scientific techniques to legal processes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a crime scene?

A
  • location/surrounding area where a crime has occurred

- focus point of investigation and primary source of information for investigation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the definers of a crime scene?

A
  • physical location (indoors, outdoors)
  • primary/secondary location (primary: where the crime occurred, secondary: evidence found that links to primary)
  • area size: macroscopic vs microscopic
  • crime committed
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is Locards exchange principle?

A

When two objects come in contact with one another, an exchange of matter takes place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What factors affect the transfer of matter?

A
  • pressure involved
  • number of contacts
  • ease of transfer (blood is easily transferred)
  • form of evidence exchanged
  • are of item involved in contact
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is evidence?

A

Information given in legal preceedings to support fact or proposition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does evidence depend on?

A

Transfer and persistence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the essential information generated from a crime scene?

A
  • establish the identity of a victim or suspect
  • establish links between the scene and people/objects
  • provide leads of further enquiry
  • focus investigation
  • corroborate other events
    = leads to a reconstruction of events
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the 3 types of evidence?

A
  1. Physical
  2. Trace
  3. Testimonial
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is physical evidence?

A

Any material or items found in the crime scene of on the victim

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is trace evidence?

A

Microscopic physical evidence that is found in small but measurable amounts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is testimonial evidence?

A

Written or verbal statements given to police, common evidence in rape or assault trials

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the 2 classes of evidence?

A

Direct

Circumstantial

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is direct evidence?

A

First hand observations, includes eyewitness accounts, cameras and confessions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is circumstantial evidence?

A

Indirect evidence, may be used to imply or support and may link a suspect to a crime scene

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the branches of circumstantial evidence?

A

Physical, biological

17
Q

What are the investigation roles in Australia?

A
  1. Uniformed officer
  2. Detective
  3. Scene of Crime officer
  4. Forensic scientist
18
Q

What are the investigative roles in the US?

A
  1. Police officer
  2. Detective
  3. Crime Scene Investigator
  4. Medical examiner
  5. Specialist
19
Q

What does a uniformed officer do?

A

Usually the first to the scene, secures crime scene

20
Q

What does a detective do?

A

Driving investigator and first called to scene by the uniformed officer

21
Q

What does the scene of crime officer do?

A

Responsible for evidence collection, documentation, secure transportation of evidence to the laboratory

22
Q

What does the forensic scientist do?

A

Receives evidence, undertakes scientific evidence, provides expert testimony in court, rare that they attend the crime scene

23
Q

What does the chain of custody do?

A

Details the movement of the evidence from the time it was collected to its appearance in court - any unknown times in the time period could indicate tampering

24
Q

What are the 5 steps of processing a crime scene?

A
  1. Securing the crime scene
  2. Crime scene survey
  3. Crime scene documentation
  4. Searching the crime scene
  5. Collection of physical evidence
25
Q

What are the 3 scene cordons?

A
  1. Hot zone
  2. Warm zone
  3. Cools zone
26
Q

What is the hot zone?

A

Encompasses the primary location of the crime, scene processing occurs here

27
Q

What is the warm zone?

A

Approx 100m around the hot zone

28
Q

What is the cool zone?

A

Area where media and pedestrians are permitted

29
Q

What is the role of the first officer at the crime scene?

A
  • initial actions determine the success of the investigations
  • secures the scene against further disturbances since disturbance to the scene can not be reversed
  • looks at: safety, detains individuals involved, identifies areas to secure, and cordon
30
Q

What does securing the crime scene involve?

A
  • large area
  • records status
  • restrict public
  • secure area
31
Q

What happens during a crime scene walkthrough?

A
  • initial reconstruction
  • note evidence status: collection of some evidence must occur sooner than other pieces
  • note points of entry/exit - single point is determined
  • assess call out needs
32
Q

What are the different types of crime scene search patterns?

A
  1. Spiral
  2. Strip
  3. Grid
  4. Zone
33
Q

What does collection of physical evidence involve?

A
  • document process
  • collect
  • maintain security of evidence
  • establish chain of custody
  • avoid contamination/cross contamination
  • obtain reference samples
  • obtain elimination samples if needed
34
Q

What should be documented at a crime scene?

A
  • notification of personnel called to scene
  • arrival/departure of personnel
  • scene description (evidence, environment)
  • victim description
35
Q

What are the steps of the chain of custody?

A
  1. Scene of crime officer
  2. Transporting officer
  3. forensic experts analysis
  4. Secure storage (temperature and humidity controlled)
  5. Return to long term police storage
36
Q

How does a crime scene reconstruction occur?

A
  • evidence leads to hypotheses
  • hypotheses are tested
  • disproven hypotheses are thrown out, leaving a reconstruction theory
  • evidence = court case
  • no one piece of evidence a,one is enough to convict a suspect
37
Q

What are 6 common causes of evidence contamination?

A
  1. Inappropriate collection methods
  2. Deliberate tampering
  3. Human error due to fatigue
  4. Not using gloves when handling evidence
  5. Packaging items of evidence together
  6. Not using single use equipment
38
Q

What are two common areas during cross examination that a lawyer will attack regarding physical evidence?

A

Contamination and continuity

Forensics (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions