crime scene processing Flashcards
What does ALS stand for?
alternative light source
what does FLS stand for?
Forensic light source
T/F: FLS and ALS are portable light sources?
true
what kind of evidence can you find under ALS lighting?
fingerprints, fibres, hair, and human body fluid
What kind of search results does ALS lighting give?
presumptive
how is presumptive evidence confirmed
at the lab for DNA
T/F: ALS does not have multiple wavelengths.
false
What is needed for ALS/FLS photography?
- orange filter on lens
- high depth of field
- low ISO
- timed exposure
- remote shutter release
What identification system did alphonse bertillion create?
bertillionage/anthropometry system measuring 11 body parts and comparing lengths
what was the point of anthropometry?
distinguish first time offenders from recidivists
what was anthropometry replaced by?
fingerprints
What method of photography did alphonse bertillion make?
use of camera mounted on high tripod and incuding a scale on the edge of his photos
what did hans gross do for forensics?
published criminal investigation
- comprehensive description for using physical evidence to solve crimes
also coined the word “criminalistics”
what did edmund locard create?
- locards exchange principle
- first crime lab in france
where was the first US crime lab opened? and by who
LA by the LAPD
What is AAFS and where was it made?
American Academy of Forensic Science in Chicago, Illinois
what did the AAFS create?
JFS Journal of Forensic Science
Who developed gas chromatography, where, and why?
Lucas, in Canada to identify petroleum products
how was gunshot resiue first detected?
using scanning electron microscopy with electron dispersive X-rays
what developed fingerprints in 1977? and where?
cyanoacrylate in Japan
where was DNA used for the first time in a crime scene
England
What is the AFIS and who made it?
computerized fingerprint database and the FBI
What is the NAS report?
indicated deficiencies and inconsistencies in practices, training, policy, standards, and oversights
What is the Hart House report?
report of multidisciplinary discussion
what is the PCAST report?
discusses various comparison disciplines in a full and frank manner
how does crime scene processing start?
call/request
where does crime scene processing start?
think court & contamination (PPE)
how does crime scene processing gain lawful access to the scene or item?
authority
what are crime scene examiners responsible for?
- recording, documenting and examining the scene
- collection and preservation of evidence
- submitting exhibits for further examination
- carrying out role independantly and without tunnel vision
- support service for front line officers and investigators
- testifying in court
what are the three steps to crime scene examination
Learn, Plan, Act
what is the purpose of the Learn step in crime scene examination?
gather information and intelligence
- recognize and take care of issues that present themselves right at the start
what is the purpose of the Plan step in crime scene examination?
assess, develop plan and prioritize steps
what is the purpose of the Act step in crime scene examination?
processing the scene
what are the steps of learning in crime scene examination?
- speak with first responders regarding their observations/actions
- consider possible safety issues - what PPE is required
- determine necessity of obtaining consent to search and/or a search warrant or what legislation you are relying on
- evaluate and establish a path of entry/exit
- evaluate initial scene boundaries
- determine number/size of scene and prioritize
- determine and request additional investigative resources as determined and needed *ongoing as investigation continues
- ensure continued scene integrity
what does a scene walk through provide?
- provides an overview of the entire scene
- first opportunity to see and identify valuble and/or fragile evidence
- allows for the development of a plan for systematic examination and documentation of the scene
in what order are scenes typically processed?
- photography
- video
- notes
- rough sketch & measurements
- scnee examination with ALS and BPA
- exhibit collection
- search for further evidence
what do you start with in photography?
general to specific
what is a UAV?
unmanned aerial vehicle (ie a drone)
why would you use a UAV?
cheaper than aircraft, faster, and picture/video quality is pretty good
what are videos used for?
- quick overall perspective of a crime scene
- tie various areas and scenes together
- used in larger scenes/ serious cases
- exterior to interior
t/f: you should narrate video evidence
false
how do you obtain lawful authority?
- consent
- search warrant
- legislation
what answers are needed for informed consent?
- person did consent to the search
- has the authority to consent
- aware what the police were going to do
- consent was voluntary
- aware of the right to refuse
- aware of the potential consequences of giving consent
what do search warrants authorize
limited time search of the place for seizing “things”
t/f: you can seize drugs under section 487 of the criminal code.
false you need a warrant under Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
what does the coroners act do?
- allows coroners to enter and inspect any place where a body is and any place based on reasonable grounds a body was removed
- inspect records and seize anything relavent to investigation
- police must assist coroner when requested
T/F: police can act as a coroner in a scene
true under the direction of coroners act
what is a primary crime scene
where actual crime scene occured
what is a secondary scene?
location where subsequent crime or actions related to intial crime scene occured
T/F: in public areas police have no right to conduct investigations, but they do not need permission to close an area after getting a warrant.
FALSE
what types of evidence are there?
impression
dna
physical
digital
what is the CFS?
centre of forensic science
t/f: the CFS is independant of the police and court system
true
where are the 2 CFS locations
toronto and sault ste. marie
what are the sections of the cfs
biology
chemistry
documents
firearms and toolmarks
toxicology
what are the dna sections of the CFS? and what evidence is accepted?
high volume service (HVS): mainly B&Es, theft, drug offences, weapons, stolen vehicles
violent crime service (VCS): all primary designated offences except B&E, homicides, robbery, SA
only accept: cigarette butts, swabs, cut outs from envelope flaps
what do you do when a blood stain is dry and oyu need to swab?
moisten swab with distilled water
do you collect negative control swabs
no, not needed DNA testing is more sensitive
when is a moisten swab needed other than blood?
- drink containers
- partially eaten food and utensils
What is the NDDB? and who made it
national DNA data bank, RCMP
what does the NDDB do?
- link crimes together with no suspects
- help identify suspects
- eliminating suspects when there is no match
- determine whether a serial offender is involved
T/F: DNA identification act sys that DNA profiles can only be used for law enforcement purposes
true
what are the two indices of the NDDB?
COI: convicted offender index
CSI: crime scene index
what was the worlds first national database?
UK’s National DNA Database
what is the interpol DNA database?
automated DNA database called DNA gateway
