Exam #2 Flashcards
1
Q
What is Evidence?
A
- may be materials, marks, or fixtures at a scene
- most is unconsciously produced bi-products of behavior
2
Q
What did Edmond Locard contribute to Forensic Science?
A
- The Locard’s Exchange Principle
3
Q
What is the Locard’s Exchange Principle?
A
- no one can enter or leave an area without leaving traces of himself/herself/, picking up evidence from that scene and take it with them
4
Q
What are the two kinds of materials needed to be collected?
A
- questioned materials
- materials of known origin
5
Q
What are the goals of comparison?
A
- place a suspect at a scene
- place a suspect in company of victim
- place victim at other scene
- exonerate a suspect
6
Q
What are two types of characteristics of Evidence?
A
- Class Characteristics
- Individual Characteristics
7
Q
Define Class Characteristics
A
- properties of evidence that can only be associated with a group and never an individualized source
(ABO blood Type, hair color, sex)
8
Q
Define Individual Characteristics
A
- properties of evidence that can be attributed to a common source with an extremely high degree of certainty
ex) fingerprints, DNA, dental pattern, frontal sinus pattern
9
Q
What factors come into play when building a case?
A
- resources of law enforcement agency
- degree of confidence and capability of prosecutor
- to try a case is at the discretion of the prosecutor
10
Q
What is the Chain of Custody?
A
- all persons who have entered/left a crime scene must be documented (date&time)
- a duplicate paper trail must follow all evidence
- credentials of all individuals involved must be clearly documented
- any weak link may make some or all evidence inadmissible in court
11
Q
What are some other reasons for maintaining detailed records?
A
- Passage of Time: case may take months or years before it goes to trial; one should always prepare for the possibility of the need to serve as a witness
- Change of Individuals Assigned to a Case: documents are essential if a new investigator is assigned to the case
- Evidence may be kept for a long time: there is no statue of limitations on homicide
12
Q
What is the role of the Forensic Anthropologist?
A
- often a “late comer” to an ongoing investigation called in for decomposed, scattered, skeletonized remains
- locate/excavate buried remains as well as other widely scattered evidence
- assist in collecting/interpreting mass disaster scenes
- functions as a facilitator for the Coroner/M.E. or Law Enforcement
13
Q
What are some goals to a Forensic Anthropological Scene Investigation?
A
- Document conditions at the Scene: record all activities conducted at scene- establish chain of custody-follow an established mode of operations
- Maximize the Recovery: focus on what is pertinent to the case; use the right tools and procedures for the job
- Provide Useful Analysis and Interpretation: events surrounding criminal activity; site formation processes
14
Q
What are the Magic 7 Questions?
A
- Is it human or not? If not what is it?
- Is it ancient or is it modern?
- How old was the individual at death?
- What sex was the individual?
- What was the manner of death?
- What is the identity of the deceased?
15
Q
What are some guidelines to a field Investigation?
A
- Preserve the SCENE!!!
- Document Every Action and Condition-Sketch, Photos, Notes: formulate a plan of operations; anticipate pressure from the media and officials
16
Q
What are some threats to the scene?
A
- lack of recognition of what is potentially significant evidence
- curious citizens
- invasive media
- destructive nature of investigations
- impatience
17
Q
What are the duties of the 1st Officer on the Scene?
A
- Secure and Protect: immediate area (body location); all surrounding environs; all probable access/exit routs
18
Q
The 3 Zones Approach
A
- each has a clearly roped-off boundary
- 3rd (inner) Zone: active investigators only
- 2nd Zone: support and control personnel
- 1st Zone: visiting officials and limited press
19
Q
Who is required at the scene?
A
- 1st officer on the scene
- primary (lead) investigator
- corner/medical examiner, or their representative
- scene security personnel
- ONLY those forensic investigators actively engaged in processing the scene at that time
20
Q
Principle Investigator’s Duties
A
- Develop Investigation Strategy
- synthesize information from background work with ongoing investigations
- assign duties to others
- set guidelines for handling the media
- serve as the conduit for the outflow of all information
- determine what classes of material evidence are to be collected
21
Q
The Primary Scene is…
A
- The Focal point of where a Criminal Activity Took Place; includes paths of likely entry/exit; should include are likely to have significant evidence; should be large enough to work in and provide a buffer zone; arbitrarily set the the Primary Investigator
22
Q
The Secondary Scene is…
A
- Location(s) of Events Related to the Primary Scene; may be where a body is disposed; need to focus on evidence to link with primary scene
23
Q
Indoor Scenes are….
A
- Working Space that is at a Premium
- keep foot traffic out of primary scene
- consider all potential modes of entry/exit
- develop a floor plan: piece plot, measure, and map furniture, windows, doors, and evidence
24
Q
Outdoor Scenes are…
A
- More Expansive: harder to control conditions; less clear boundaries and entry/exit points; harder to restrict unwanted access
- plant and animal evidence; spider webs, bird nests, rodents, etc.; changes in vegetation types, broken vegetation, vegetation on clothing, etc.
