Criminal Investigations 9th Ed - Ch 2 - Documenting the Crime Scene

Question 1

Note taking is ____ _______ to the police profession.

Answer 1

NOT unique

Question 2

When taking notes at a crime scene, document _____ ______.

Answer 2

known facts.

Question 3

Record all information that helps answer the questions:

Answer 3

Who? What? Where? When? How? & Why?

Question 4

________ _______ _______ is referred to as the “new DNA for law enforcement.”

Answer 4

Digital video analysis

Question 5

_________ refers to the distinctness of your letters and numbers.

Answer 5

Legibility

Question 6

________ refers to the distinctness of your statements.

Answer 6

Clarity

Question 7

When taking photographs / videotape, the investigator should take sufficient photographs and/or videotape to ________ the entire scene.

Answer 7

reconstruct

Question 8

Disadvantages of photographs include:

Answer 8

o They are not selective
o Do not show actual distances
o May be distorted and damaged by mechanical errors in shooting or processing

Question 9

Disadvantages of videos include:

Answer 9

o Many people mistakenly believe that no training in videotaping is necessary

Question 10

________ refers to the fineness of image detail captured with a camera, displayed on a monitor or printed on paper.

Answer 10

Resolution

Question 11

High resolution produces a _______ image.

Low resolution produces a ______ image.

Answer 11

sharper

blurrier

Question 12

• A pixel is the ___________ unit of a digital image, generally a dot within the image.

Answer 12

SMALLEST

Question 13

Digital cameras are much more detailed and what most law enforcement officers are converting to. It is important to remember that digital cameras ____ be used in crime scene photography and ____ be used in court.

CAN or CANNOT

Answer 13

CAN

CAN

Question 14

______-_______ photography uses the low end of the color spectrum, which is invisible to human sight, to make visible impressions of bruises and injures long after their actual occurrence.

Answer 14

Ultraviolet-light

Question 15

Due to different digital altering programs, law enforcement must be vigilant in maintaining the _____ __ _____ of digital photographs.

Answer 15

chain of custody

Question 16

A crime scene sketch does all of the following:

Answer 16

o Accurately portrays physical facts
o Relates to the sequence of events at the scene
o Establishes the precise location and relationship of objects and evidence at the scene
o Helps create a mental picture of the scene for those not present
o Is a permanent record of the scene
o Is usually admissible in court

Question 17

A ___ ____ is the first pencil-drawn outline of a scene and the location of objects and evidence within this outline.

Answer 17

rough sketch

Question 18

Plotting objects and evidence during the sketch of the crime scene involves the following methods:

Answer 18

o Rectangular – Coordinate Method: uses two adjacent walls as fixed points from which distances are measured at right angles.
o Baseline Method: establishes a straight line from one fixed pint to another, from which measurements are taken at right angles.
o Triangulation Method: uses straight-line measure from two fixed objects to the evidence to create a triangle with the evidence in the angle formed by two straight lights.
o Compass – Point Method: uses a protractor to measure the angel formed by two lines
o Cross – Projection Method: present the floor and walls as though they were one surface.

Question 19

The sketch’s ______ contains the case number, type of crime, name of victim or complainant, location, date, time, investigator, anyone assisting, scale of the sketch, direction of north, and name of the person making the sketch.

Answer 19

legend

Question 20

A _____ ______ is admissible if the investigating officer drew it or approved it after it was drawn and if it accurately represents the rough sketch. The rough sketch must remain available as evidence.

Answer 20

scale drawing

Question 21

True or False:

If you make an error in your notes, you should not erase them. Simply mark through the error with a line. Erase marks in notebooks often raise questions regarding “tampering” during court.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

To be admissible in court, photographs must be:

Answer 22

o	Material
o	Relevant
o	Competent
o	Accurate
o	Free of Distortion
o	Noninflammatory

Question 23

___ ____ can be used in photographic lineups to help identify suspects.

Answer 23

Mug shots

Question 24

____________ is commonly used in outdoor scenes but can also be used indoors. This process of locating evidence or other items uses straight-line measures from two fixed objects.

Answer 24

Triangulation

Question 25

Take photographs and video the entire crime scene before anything is disturbed, and _______ ________ and __________.

Answer 25

avoid inaccuracies and distortions.

Question 26

_____ _____ are legally admissible in court and may be used to testify from or to refresh your memory.

Answer 26

Original notes

Question 27

A(n) _________ _____ is drawn or personally witnessed by an investigator and accurately portrays a crime scene.

Answer 27

admissible sketch

Question 28

Surveillance photography is often called “____ __________” because the photos prove that an incident occurred and can help identify suspects and weapons.

Answer 28

trap photography

Question 29

Investigators should start taking notes as soon as possible after they _______ _ ___ _____.

Answer 29

arrive at the scene

Question 30

A ______ _______ _______ allows officers to sort a database using specific characteristics: race, sex, hair color, height, age, distinguishing marks, etc.

Answer 30

Video Imaging System