To take charge or care of To handle, direct, govern, or control in action or in use

Why do we need to manage crime scenes? 4

Allow full investigation Proper documentation of evidence Collection of physical evidence Admissibility in court

List factors that could alter a scene. 9

Weather Media Bystanders First responders Witnesses Victims/family Sun Temperature Wildlife

List some roles of the investigator(s) in charge. 5

Identify specific responsibilities Share preliminary information Develop investigative plans in accordance with departmental policy and local, Provincial and Federal laws Conduct a walk-through Determine team composition

What is the purpose of a scene walk through? 3

Provide overview of scene Identifies any threats to scene integrity Ensures protection of physical evidence

Crime Scene Management Flashcards by Emily Love

Define crime.

An act punishable by law.

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Define crime scene.

Any place where an act has taken place that is contrary to the law.

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Define manage

To take charge or care of
To handle, direct, govern, or control in action or in use

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Are all “scenes” crime scenes?

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Give example of scenes a forensic investigator may be called to that aren’t crimes.

Motor vehicle collision
Sudden death
Suicide

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Other than the police, what agencies might get involved in a scene examination?

Chief Coroner for the Province of ON
Office of the Fire Marshal
Ministry of Labour
Special INvestigations Unit

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What is the Special Investigations Unit?

Agency that watches over the police, protecting against misuse of power and illegal behaviour.

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Why do we need to manage crime scenes?

Allow full investigation
Proper documentation of evidence
Collection of physical evidence
Admissibility in court

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What is the main objective of crime scene management?

Safety of public and first responders

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What is one of the most important aspects of securing a crime scene?

Preserving the scene with minimal contamination and disturbance of physical evidence.

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What types of things should initial responding officer(s) remain observant of when first responding to a crime scene?

People
Vehicles
Events
Potential evidence
Environmental conditions

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Give examples of individuals/organizations a first responding officer might contact to assess the safety of a crime scene.

Electrical
Structural engineer
Fire hazard
Chemicals
Explosive risk

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How should a scene be treated until proven otherwise?

As a crime scene

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What is the next responsibility of the initial responding officer(s) after controlling any dangerous situations or persons?

Ensure medical attention is provided to injured persons while minimizing contamination of the scene.

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What is the role of the initial responding officer(s) in terms of people present at a scene?

Shall identify persons at the crime scene and control their movement.

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What should be kept in mind when establishing the boundaries of a crime scene?

Understand that the boundaries can be reduced in size if necessary but cannot be as easily expanded.

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List some methods for establishing crime scene boundaries.

Police barrier tape
Police cars and equipment
Officers
Natural existing barriers
Buildings
Seals

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What does briefing the investiagtors taking charge assist in?

Controlling the crime scene and helps establish further investigative responsibilities.

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What must be done regarding all activities conducted and observations made at a crime scene?

Must be documented as soon as possible

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List factors that could alter a scene.

Weather
Media
Bystanders
First responders
Witnesses
Victims/family
Sun
Temperature
Wildlife

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What does assessment of the scene by the investigator(s) in charge allow for?

Determination of type of incident to be investigated
Level of investigation to be conducted
Resources required

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List some roles of the investigator(s) in charge.

Identify specific responsibilities
Share preliminary information
Develop investigative plans in accordance with departmental policy and local, Provincial and Federal laws
Conduct a walk-through
Determine team composition

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What is the purpose of a scene walk through?

Provide overview of scene
Identifies any threats to scene integrity
Ensures protection of physical evidence

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Aside from the investigator(s) in charge, who should be present during a scene walk through?

Individuals responsible for processing the scene.

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Who ensures documentation of the scene, according to policy?

Investigator(s) in charge

What is the purpose of prioritizing the collection of evidence? | 3

Prevent loss, destruction or contamination

Who determines the order in which evidence is collected?

The investigator(s) in charge and team members

What is the ideal order of evidence collection?

Outside in, least destructive to most destructive.

What types of things shall team members ensure regarding evidence? | 4

Effective collection, preservation, packaging and transport of evidence.

List some things to consider at a crime scene. | 8

* Safety * Security * Preservation/integrity of evidence * Proper documentation and collection techniques * Proper handling and storage of evidence * Retention for future analysis and storage * Prosecution and court considerations

What is the name of the principle that helps to ensure a successful scene examination?

LOSER Principal

Define the LOSER Principle?

Listen Observe Search Evaluate Record

Who should be listened to at a crime scene? | 5

* Victims * Witnesses * Suspect * Front line personnel * Communications operator

What should be observed at a crime scene?

The scene

What should be searched at a crime scene?

Evidence, victims

What is meant by evaluating a crime scene?

Looking at what you've listened to, observed and evaluated to see if it all adds up.

What could be indicated if there are inconcsistencies in what you've heard, observed and searched? | 4

* Tampering * Natural processes altered scene * Lying * Procedural error in evidence collection

How can a scene be recorded? | 3

* Notes * Photos * Video

What are the two distinct zones of a crime scene?

* Primary/hot zone * Secondary/warm zone

Describe the primary/hot zone of a crime scene. | 3

Zone of greatest interest and usually where event took place. Physical and trace evidence most likely compromised by non-forensic personnel.

Describe the secondary/warm zone of a crime scene. | 2

Larger perimeter surrounding primary zone. Generally where line tape located as barrier to signify crime scene perimeter.

List ways that the security of a crime scene can be maintained. | 7

* Physical presence * Police line tape * Police evidence/security seals * Locks and barriers * Evidence logs * Tamper proof property evidence bags * Check-in officer

Who is charged with securing and protecting the scene?

Scene security officer

What is the path of contamination?

An establshed route in and out of the crime scene that results in the least amount of scene degredation.

What must be done regarding any changes made to the scene prior to FIS arrival?

Must be explained and justified

How can we protect against change at a crime scene? | 4

* Scene security * Minimize contact * Follow LOSER principle * Be creative - be cognizant of how your efforts may protect or compromise evidence

List some vehicle-specific crime scene management techniques. | 4

* Treat the same as any other scene * Consider the path to the vehicle * Tow to police garage for expert exam under seal * Dry before commencing exam

How long can a crime scene be held for?

Hours, days, weeks

Who determines the breakdown of a scene?

Case manager

What should be done before releasing a crime scene? | 2

* Final walkthrough by investigators * Ensure proper cleanup

Define evidence.

Refers to anything that can give or substantiate information in a legal investigation.

Define testimonial evidence.

Witnesses who testify, provide knowlesge or information concerning the case.

List the two types of testimonial evidence.

* Direct * Indirect

What is indirect testimonial evidence?

Beyond the scene, did not witness the crime.

What is direct testimonial evidence?

Witnessed the crime or are the victim

List the different types of evidence.

* Testimonial * Physical

Define physical evidence.

Evidence that can be seen, touched, extracted and exhibited.

List the different types of physical evidence. | 7

* Associative * Class * Electronic * Latent * Trace * Indicative * Circumstantial

Define associative evidence.

Any evidence that places an individual at a scene and/or with a victim.

Define class evidence.

Evidence that requires classification into a more narrow range.

Define electronic evidence.

Information and data transmitted and/or stored in any electronic device

Define latent evidence.

Any evidence that is not visible without the use of chemical, photographic or electronic development/enhancement.

Define trace evidence.

Evidence that has to be extracted from another substance and is in very small amounts, often invisible to the naked eye.

Define indicative evidence.

Evidence that substantiates or proves that a certain period of time has elapsed.

Define circumstantial evidence.

Facts, observations, activities from which the culpability of an individual may be inferred.

List different types of conclusions that can be inferred from circumstantial evidence. | 5

* Motive * Opportunity * Means, capacity and skills * Post-offence conduct * State of mind

What does physical evidence show? | 5

* That a crime has been committed * Key elements of the crime * Link suspect with scene and/or victim * Corroborate statements * Exonerate the innocent

Give examples of physical evidence. | 4

* Fingerprints * Footwear * Firearms, other weapons * Tool mark impressions

give examples of trace evidence

* Blood * Hair and fibres * Semen * Epithelial cells * Vaginal secretions * Accelerants * Saliva * GSR

Crime Scene Management Flashcards

(69 cards)