Crime scene investigations

Question 0

Reason for investigations and reports

Answer 0

1. ) To determine what happened.
2. ) to identify the perpetrator.
3. ) to prosecute and convict

Question 1

Define investigation

Answer 1

1. Observation and inquiry to obtain factual information
2. Observation and inquiry to reconstruct events
3. A specific form of research
   a. ) A science-has certain steps and procedures
   b. ) A systematic approach to find facts- simple, refined observation skills

Question 2

The goals of the investigation.

Answer 2

1. Discover, gather and preserve evidence that supports facts and leads to truth.
   a. ) determine what, if any, offense has occurred
   b. ) answer “journalistic” questions: Who, what, when, where, why, and how.
2. Determine what information/evidence is relevant
   a. ) The more information, the better – seldom too much.
   b. ) The keyword is “relevant” not “favorable”
3. Transmit information to those who need it.
4. Work to ensure conviction of offenders and freedom innocent

Question 3

Requisites for an investigator

Answer 3

Suspicion and curiosity
Ability to look and listen
Knowledge, resourcefulness, adaptability
Tact, patience, dignity
Common sense
Appreciate the importance of accurate observation, recording, collection, preservation, handling and identification of evidence

Question 4

Importance of reports

Answer 4

1. Each reader expects the report to give a word picture
   a. ) report is a new incident for each reader, even though the officer has lived it.
   b. ) The officer probably knows the people, places, etc., but the readers know only what is in the report

Question 5

Who are the readers of the report?

Answer 5

1. The report writer – to continue investigation, to refresh memory for court
2. Investigators – to furnish a starting point for follow-up, to know what has or has not happened or been done
3. Attorneys
   a. ) DA-check elements
   b. ) Defense- impeach officer, check client story, find loopholes in the case
   c. ) Law enforcement
   d. ) criminal justice support – psychologist, counselors, rehabilitation workers, department of human resources, rape victims advocates etc.

Question 6

The report is a permanent record that?

Answer 6

• Communicates fax regarding the investigation
• is used as a basis for prosecution
• Is used for testimony
• is reviewed by other law-enforcement and nonlaw enforcement personnel

Question 7

Identify the extent of the scene

Answer 7

1. how many locations?
2. multiple crime scenes?
3. multiple victims?

Question 8

Assess personnel, materials and resources needed

Answer 8

1. what is my level of crime scene knowledge?

2. is that adequate for this scene?

Question 9

Motives for the crime

Answer 9

Money
Sex
Revenge
Fear

Question 10

Weapon or tool used, if possible

Answer 10

1. what did the suspect bring to the scene?
2. What did the suspect to leave at the scene?
3. What did the suspect take from the scene?

Question 11

Secure the scene

Answer 11

1. secure the scene – preserve the evidence
2. try to have only one officer in charge, one officer seizing, collecting in handling evidence
3. search the scene – critical evidence v. supporting evidence v. property
4. record the scene – photographs, video and sketches

Question 12

Evidence

Answer 12

Anything that tends to prove or disprove a fact: physical materials, writings, testimony(stories and conversation) observable phenomena, (sights, sounds, smells, etc.)

Question 13

An item is evidence if:

Answer 13

1. It provides commission of a crime
2. It shows the identity of the suspects
3. It links the suspect to the crime and/or victim
4. It shows how the crime was committed

Question 14

Initial investigation procedure

Answer 14

Arrive safely. Be aware of your surroundings

a. ) you are the most important person there
b. ) render first aid
c. ) preserve the evidence
d. ) remember that under stress tunnel vision can occur

Question 15

Be ready to act immediately upon arrival

Answer 15

1. ) Dispatchers information may not always be accurate
2. ) Always expect the unusual. Don’t jump to conclusions. Base your decisions on FACTS
3. ) look at everything – thanks 3 dimensional not two. What does the overall scene tell you about the incident and persons

Question 16

Determine what has happened: initial interviews

Answer 16

1. check injured
2. get an overview of who, what, when, where, why and how
3. be concerned with “fleeting” evidence

Question 17

Identify the perpetrator

Answer 17

• Victim knows the suspect
• witnesses know the suspect
• suspect developed from database
• suspect developed from other similar crimes
• The anonymous tip

Remember a suspect bring something, leaves something, or take something from the scene.

Question 18

What is included in the description?

Answer 18

1. number of persons
2. physical/clothing descriptions
3. armed?
4. direction/method of travel

Question 19

Types of lineups to identify perpetrators

Answer 19

1. Sixpack photo lineups
2. Sequential lineup
3. Live lineup
4. Victim/witness show up to identify

Question 20

Blind presentation

Answer 20

The presenter does not know who the suspect is.

Question 21

Blinded presentation

Answer 21

The presenter knows who the suspect is shows the photos in such a manner that the presenter cannot see which photo is being displayed

Question 22

Confidence statement

Answer 22

The witnesses statement about their selection of their confidence at the selection is the suspect: taken immediately after a pic has been made

Question 23

Where does the burden lay for eyewitness admissibility

Answer 23

More on DA to prove than defense to disprove.

Question 24

Memory of what happened won't change and isn't susceptible to suggestion or contamination

Answer 24

False

Question 25

It is okay to use sequential lineup procedures for witnesses or victims under the age of 12?

Answer 25

False- use standard 6pack arrangement

Question 26

How to determine which areas to search – have information before searching to minimize efforts.

Answer 26

Use information from informants including victims witnesses and suspects

Question 27

Physical search indicators "what's wrong with this picture"

Answer 27

Objects out of place, missing objects or voids of space, damaged objects, check areas were objects had been resting prior to the crime

Question 28

The five area search methods

Answer 28

* grid * circular * strip * spiral * point to point

Question 29

Three types of vehicle search

Answer 29

* quarter search * left to right * top to bottom

Question 30

Documentation

Answer 30

1. ) Chain of custody starts at the crime scene 2. ) 95% of evidence is collected by police officers 3. ) document location with notes, sketches and photographs 4. ) market evidence and packaging with appropriate information 5. ) crime lab request form 49

Question 31

Things to look for when conducting a crime scene search

Answer 31

Point of entry Fingerprints and foot or shoeprints Vehicle tire marks Specific personal injury to the victim Items used in the commission of the crime Blood, trace evidence, firearms evidence etc.

Question 32

Steps in collecting forward/marking evidence

Answer 32

1. Photograph it in it's place as appropriate 2. measure and sketch location 3. Order of gathering 4. Seize items – large enough sample for lab to work with 5. Log in notebook: item, location, condition 6. Place individually in a paper or plastic bag if possible – on container place tag or receipt listing item, date, time, agency, and case number with officer's name 7. Mark the container not the evidence 8. Use evidence seals 9. Complete a property form or evidence form, her agency policy

Question 33

Why photograph a? crime scene

Answer 33

1. Act as a permanent record 2. Identify the location of evidence 3. Support the police report 4. Assist in courtroom presentations 5. Identify the condition of the evidence

Question 34

How to photograph crime scene

Answer 34

Start with the overall scene, then move to specific areas of interest

Question 35

What to photograph

Answer 35

1. Theory of evidence 2. Point of entry 3. Anything disturbed 4. The victims, witnesses, suspects

Question 36

Crime scene sketch

Answer 36

Should be proportional, contain all relevant information, and be done with sketch paper larger than standard notebook

Question 37

Evidence should be handled by has few handlers as possible and every time it changes hands it should be recorded.

Answer 37

True