Final Exam Flashcards
Crime Scene
A location where an act occurred or where evidence is left
Chain Of Custody
Accounting for evidence from the time of it’s discovery until it is offered as evidence in court
Should you alter anything in the crime scene?
Do not alter
DSLR
Digital single lens reflex, a standard and usually the norm
What is best to overshoot a crime scene or undershoot it?
It’s better to overshoot a crime scene; take more picture than you need to.
What happens if one of your coworkers moves a piece of evidence?
If it has been moved, don’t put it back
What are the required comparison purposes for photographs?
Any photographs for comparison purposes are required a scale measurement
What do you do for evidence?
Depict evidence as it was found
Cardinal rules of a crime scene
include fill to frame, maximize depth of field, and keep the film plane parallel
What do you always have to do in a crime scene?
Protect the crime scene
Can you pick up evidence?
Do not alter any possible objects until it has been properly recorded
Are original notes useful in court?
original notes are admissible in court but the defense can view your notes for court
The four coordinate system used to measure a crime scene are? and which one is more used?
Rectangular, triangular, transacting, and polar. Rectangular is commentary used.
Are general searches legal?
general searches are unconstitutional
What should you always do before entering a crime scene?
Always get a warrant for everything before entering a crime scene
Zone searches and interior searches
zone searches are good for buildings, fields, and vehicles. Interior searches usually starts with the floor.
Evidence linkage triangle
Suspects, scenes, and victims
class characteristics and individual characteristics
class characteristics are tire marks, shoe prints, anything with similar items. Individual characteristics are chips, wear pattern, anything unordinary that connect with the victim or suspect.
What is a huge source of DNA
saliva is a huge source of DNA
How will a bullet hole lead into?
A bullet hole will leave a small entry hole and a big exit hole
When should original evidence be presented?
The original evidence is to be presented whenever possible
What do you do when a computer is needed without causing any harm to potential evidence?
If the computer is on, always pull the plug to shut down computer
What is more reliable, physical or testimonial evidence?
Physical evidence is more reliable than testimonial evidence.
What three diseases do CSI need to worry about the most?
AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis are of concern and can be found in bodily fluid.
What should you not do when it comes to writing/reporting?
Avoid speaking in code, always use standard writing
How many recommendations have not been conducted by a private sector?
13 recommendation have not yet been conducted by a private sector.
What can you say when being testified in court as an expert witness?
You can say “I don’t know” when testifying as an expert witness.
Can CSI touch the body?
The body never gets touched.
Can you put anything in the barrel of a gun?
You never put anything in a barrel of a gun.
How is a Caliber measured?
A Caliber is measured by the bore of the land to opposing land.
Can a bullet leave a trace without touching the bones?
A bullet can deflect inside a human body without touching the bones.
Zone of possibilities
Zone 1, consider most probable
Zone 2, possible but awkward
Zone 3, impossible based on data
Three basic print types:
Loops, arches, whorls
Three categories of fingerprints:
latent prints, patent prints, plastic prints
Four main types of causes of death:
Murder, suicide, accident, natural
Homicide
the killing of one person by another
Murder
killing with malice afterthought
Algor mortis
is the cooling of the body after death.
Rigor mortis
is the stiffening of the body after death by chemical changes in the muscle.
Liver mortis
is the peeling of the blood in the body after death.
What insects attacks the body first after death?
The first insects to attack the body are flies.
How to identify incised wounds?
Incised wounds have even sharp edges.
Suicidal women tend to stab themselves where?
Stabbing in the area of the stomach or the heart
Suicidal men tend to cut themselves where?
Cutting in the area of the neck or wrist
What rare weapon has been used for suicide?
Suicide by axe is rare but has occurred
Why can’t it be fully possible to identify injuries from firearms?
You may not be able to identify injuries from firearms because of blood.
Where can bullets deflect when it comes to the body?
Bullets can deflect inside the body
Can a suicide be suspended in order to be a hanging?
A suicide does not have to be suspended in order to be a hanging.
How do you know if a person’s been strangled?
If a person is strangled, the hyoid bone will be broken.
Can an entire body be put in water to drown?
The entire body does not have to be submerged in water to drown
How can a body sink then float in water?
Because the body is heavier than water, it will sink
What is the main cause for death when it comes to a fire?
Death may be caused by smoke inhalation not by burning.
mass murders
are committed at the same time and victims are usually connected
Serial murders
occur over time and often over large geographic areas
What is the main concern when dealing with Arson/explosions
Safety is our main concern
T or F, the success of crime scene investigations often hinge on the actions of the first officer?
T
Processing a crime scene sequence:
Videography, sketching, evidence collections, searching, photography, fingerprinting.
Photography, videography, sketching, evidence collections, fingerprinting, searching
Which of the following do NOT contain DNA:
Stem cells, Brain cell, Epithelial cells, or red blood cells
Red blood cells
What is not a type of DNA testing:
RFLP, STR, Y-Nucleaotide, or PCR
Y-Nucleaotide
Where will the majority of evidence be found?
The majority of evidence will be found on the floors.
What are some presumptive tests for blood?
Phenolphthalein, Fluorescent, and Leuco-Malachite green
Four basic types of search patterns:
Spiral searches, parallel searches, grid searches, and zone searches
What is bloodstain pattern analysis determined by
What is bloodstain pattern analysis determined by the surface and the plane of the surface.
CODIS
Combine DNA index system