Crime Scene Processing

Question 1

What are the three types of evidence?

Answer 1

Testimonial

Documentary

Physical

Question 2

What is Locard’s Exchange Theory?

Answer 2

There will be cross transfer of evidence when any object or person comes into contact with an object or person

Question 3

How can physical evidence assist?

Answer 3

Prove a crime occurred or establish key elements
Can place a suspect in contact with a victim or crime scene
Can ID a suspect in a crime
Corroborate or refute witness testimony
Suspect may confess when confronted with evidence
Physical evidence can be more reliable than an eye witness
It is valuable and expected in more court cases

Question 4

What are the 4 responsibilities from time of collection until court?

Answer 4

Identify each piece of evidence
Describe where it was found
Prove continuity
Describe changes in the evidence (damage, physical appearance etc)

Question 5

What are some considerations upon your initial response to a crime scene?

Answer 5

Type of offence
Have enough or right equipment by asking questions
Is a search warrant required

Question 6

Preliminary examination of crime scene steps

Answer 6

Speak with investigators
Check for perishable evidence and ensure crime scene is sufficiently secured
Conduct a walk through (to get a plan of attack)and make notes
Path of evidence - path most likely taken by suspect
Safe path - a path away from evidence path when able
Special attention to - POE and POX, attempted points,

Question 7

What are some things to consider when processing the crime scene?

Answer 7

Be methodical
Photograph as you find it and plan how to photo to make it easy for follow in court
Take photos during/after processing items
LIKNKAGE - photographs should walk the viewer through the scene

Question 8

What is the importance of crime scene photography?

Answer 8

Assists with the investigation

Provides a visual for court purposes

Question 9

What are considerations needed to make photographs admissible in court?

Answer 9

Accurate representation of the scene
Need to be free of distortion (proper perspective)
Relevant and unbiased
No cropping allowed

Question 10

What should you think about when photographing a scene?

Answer 10

Should be done in a way that tells a story
Viewer should be walked through the scene
Progress from general to specific
The photographs should be linked

Question 11

What is meant by linkage in crime scene photography?

Answer 11

It links one photograph to the next by using a common object which is present between one photo to the next photo

Question 12

What is the type/manner photographs need to be taken?

Answer 12

Overall
Mid-range
Close up
- without scale and with scale

When taking mid-range and close up of exhibits in scene don’t forget to take a re-establishing photograph

Question 13

When/why do you use a fill flash?

Answer 13

When objects are in shadowed areas use a fill flash to help highlight the exhibit…it does not have to eliminate the shadows

Question 14

What is the best ISO for photos of exhibits in the studio?

Answer 14

ISO 100

Question 15

What are the two options for lighting in the studio?

Answer 15

Continuous lighting

Flash

Question 16

What is the advantage of continuous lighting?

Answer 16

What you see in the view finder is what you will get in the photo

Question 17

What are the two types of flash techniques you can use in the studio?

Answer 17

Feathered flash - helps reduce/eliminate shadows as the angle of flash can have shadows fall behind the exhibit

Bounce flash - flash is bounced off a ceiling/wall and the light will have the shadow fall under the exhibit. ***light will take on the colour of the ceiling/wall it is bounced off.

Question 18

What are other ways of reducing/eliminating shadows?

Answer 18

Use a black background if appropriate
Raise the object off the surface (raised glass technique)
Use a light table (really small objects or physical match of exhibits such as turn signal lights

Question 19

What techniques can be used to reduce glare?

Answer 19

Light diffusion
Tenting
Proper angle of illumination

Question 20

When should you consider using macro photography?

Answer 20

Close up photography
Small objects
Details on larger objects (VIN’s and serial numbers)