Crime Science, Notes, Documenting and Reporting

Question 1

What is the fundamental premise of criminal investigations

Answer 1

Having the ability to reconstruct the facts and circumstances surrounding each case

Question 2

Witness interviewing

Answer 2

Allow the witness to state in their own words what happened

Question 3

Field interview cards are commonly referred to as:

Answer 3

FO’s

Question 4

What can the defense attorney use against you in court

Answer 4

a poorly written report

Question 5

What is the backbone of the prosecution process

Answer 5

Official report

Question 6

3 pronged rule

Answer 6

Factual, thorough, to the point

Question 7

What should reports not contain

Answer 7

hearsay, speculation, opinions

Question 8

Best report is

Answer 8

Thorough but concise

Question 9

Hearsay evidence

Answer 9

Second hand information, not witnesses by the person themselves

Question 10

What should you be concerned with in reporting

Answer 10

presentation (choice of words) & diction ( use of words)

Question 11

Reports should avoid

Answer 11

Unnecessary and unfamiliar words. Be specific, active voice, standard abbreviations, write short and simple sentences, AVOID double negatives, slang and adjectives.

Question 12

Essential information

Answer 12

invest, witness, physical evidence, modus operandi (MO)

Question 13

Conclusions that are unsubstantiated by fact should be

Answer 13

presented as opinions

Question 14

Crime Scene

Answer 14

photos and sketches are necessary, photos can distort distance and color. You can never have to many photos of a crime scene.

Question 15

Pictures add what:

Answer 15

portrayal of the crime scene that o other medium can emulate

Question 16

Photos for evidence has to be both:

Answer 16

relevant and authenticated

Question 17

Authentication

Answer 17

Photo has to be testified to that it is an accurate and correct photo. The photographer does not have to be the one to testify this

Question 18

Master Disc (digital photos)

Answer 18

Must not be altered. If you need to alter you must first make a copy and use the copies

Question 19

Photos in 3 stages

Answer 19

• general view: overall scene, natural surroundings
• medium ranger view: no greater than 20ft
• close up view: distance less than 5ft, should be taken with item to provide perspective. with or without ruler

Question 20

Small items ( less than 6 inches) photographing

Answer 20

at least 2 photos should be taken:

• close up view
• one from at least 6ft away

Question 21

Death scene photos

Answer 21

At least 2 photos of the body at a 90 degree angle to each other high as possible

Question 22

For photos to be admissible they have to be:

Answer 22

relevant and cant be prejudicial or distorted

Question 23

Prejudicial photos

Answer 23

photos that appeal unfairly to the emotions of the jury

Question 24

Distorted photos 3 types:

Answer 24

• incorrect point of view
• perspective
• misrepresentation of color

Question 25

The photo must be offered to show as evidence with:

Answer 25

the officer who was on scene to validate it is an accurate representation

Question 26

How to log photos

Answer 26

Date, times, sequence number

Question 27

Crime scene sketches

Answer 27

Photos: represent the scene from the viewer
Sketch: represents the scene as it actually is

Question 28

In using measurements, they must be made

Answer 28

with the same method. Best method: tape measure

Question 29

2 types of sketches

Answer 29

• rough sketch: drawn at the scene

- finished sketch: completed sketch drawn to scale

Question 30

3 Sketching methods

Answer 30

• coordinate method: measuring an object from 2 fixed points
• triangle method: birds eye view of the scene, fixed objects to measure from ( outdoor scenes)
• cross projection method (indoor scene): top down view with walls of room folded down to reveal locations of evidence