FRSC 3010 Flashcards
1
Q
Motor vehicle theft/possession
A
Someone who steals a motor vehicle (s. 331.1(a) CC)
Everyone who commits theft is, if the property stolen is a motor vehicle, guilty of an offence and liable
(a) on proceedings by way of indictment, to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years, and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of six months in the case of a third or subsequent offence under this subsection; or
(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term of not more than 18 months.
2
Q
Theft from vehicles
A
items are taken from either the expetior or interior of vehicle without consent/permission of the owner (theft under $5000, 334(b) CC).
3
Q
Crime vehicles
A
a vehicle used/involved in the commission of a crime (various-impaired driving, fail to remain at an accident, fail to stop for police, break and enter, murder, dangerous driving).
4
Q
Can a passenger be convicted for possession of stolen motor vehicle?
A
A passenger may be conviceted for possession of stolen motor vehicle if there are enough factors to determine control and knowledge.
A voluntary passenger in a stolen vehicle may be found to be an abettor as their presence may have the effect of encouraging the theft.
5
Q
Rate of car theft in Canada in 2022
A
In 2022, a vehicle is stolen every 6 minutes in canada.
6
Q
Three reasons a vehicle may be stolen
A
Joyriding
Sell false vehicle identification numbers (VINs).
Dismantled for parts.
Used to commit another crime (“crime vehicle”).
Sold abroad illegally
7
Q
Rule of thumb for searching Vehicles
A
Level of examination should be proportional with the level of the offence committed
8
Q
5 identifiers for a car
A
Make and model, colour, licence plates, VIN
9
Q
CPIC
A
Canadian Police Information Center
Any officer or Police agency that runs avehicle in the future will be informed of its status as a stolen vehicle
10
Q
Section 8 of the Charter
A
Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure
11
Q
What type of evidence should take precedence in vehicle examinations?
A
if there are areas that should be swabbed for DNA such as bloodstain or the mouthpiece of an opened drink container, then this should take precedence over fingerprinting.
12
Q
4 vehicle rules when searching
A
Does it look wrong → check it out;
Does it smell? → drugs or alcohol;
Does it feel odd? → hidden contraband (seats);
Does it sound odd? → hidden contraband (hollows).
13
Q
Steps for vehicle submissions
A
Call CRO in advance of submitting and prior to picking up a vehicle following CFS analysis.
Only include one vehicle per submission.
Include authority (a copy of the warrant/consent), as well as keys to the vehicle with the submission.
Indicate if the vehicle (outside and/or inside) needs to be protected for fingerprints.
If a bicycle is involved in an occurrence, submit the entire unit wrapped in paper
14
Q
GPS
A
Global Positioning System
15
Q
Counter measures for vehicle safety
A
Lock your vehicle.
Don’t leave FOBS near doorways and windows, store as far away as possible.
Place key FOBS in faraday bags.
Park vehicles in garages.
Motion senor lights tied into security system for app notification.
16
Q
What does footprint evidence provide
A
Type and make of shoe
approximate size
number of suspects
pathway in
through and away from the crime scene
Possible sequence of events in a crime scene.
17
Q
LlYOD HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
A
Footwear impression found in snow at the scene.
Tire track impressions found at the scene in snow.
Tire impressions linked to a possible make of vehicle.
Williams went through a police checkpoint driving that make of vehicle.
When interviewed later, williams wearing the same boots as that day on the property of Lloyd.
Footwear and tire track evidence were very important to the case.
People remember the police interview but not what got them there
17
Q
Reasons footprint evidence is overlooked(3)
A
Lack of training in the proper technique
The evidentiary value of the footwear impression is not understood.
Lack of education in the comparison of footwear and report writing
18
Q
OJ Simpson Trial
A
Civil Trial
Lasted 11 months. OJ Simpson was in custody for 474 days. 4 hours to decide the verdict. Not guilty on 2 charges of murder.
101 witnesses, 41 days of testimony, found guilty of “wrongful death”, to pay millions to two families (33.5 million)
Civil Lawsuit
Simpson was found liable for the deaths and was required to pay families of the victims over 30 million in damages.
Now owes in the range of 70 million. Bruno Magil shoes were a key piece of evidence.
Bruno Magli footwear- bodziak.
19
Q
Class Characteristics of Footprints
A
Manufactured.
Intentional or unavoidable characteristics that repeat during the manufacturing process.
Example: pattern
20
Q
Accidental Characteristics
A
Random.
Size, shape, position and orientation of these characteristics are, to some degree, dependent on chance.
Commonly associated with the shoe having been worn.
21
Q
3 footprint collecting techniques
A
Geltin Lifter
Electrostatic Dust Print Lifting Device
Casting
22
Q
Gelatin Lifter
A
A sheet of rubber with a low adhesive gelatin layer on one side that can lift prints from almost any surface, including porous, rough, curved and textured surfaces.
Typically used with fingerprint powders on two dimensional surfaces.
23
Q
Electrostatic Dust Print Lifting Device
A
Operates by charging a plastic film, which is placed over the dust print, which creates electrostatic adhesions and draws the film onto the surface.
24
Casting
Used for recording three dimensional footwear impressions. Typically use dental stone.
For impressions found in snow, sand or soul.
25
Steps to locating two dimensional prints
Examine:
1) movement within the scene.
2) point of entry.
3) disturbed areas,
4) point of exit
May be visible to the eye. Can use oblique lighting to examine surfaces in the scene.
Floor will be the main source of impressions. Use a fingerprint brush to search for impressions on the floor.
26
Steps to location three dimensional prints
Typically located on the outside of the scenes.
Involves depth in addition to length and width.
Point of entry/exit, observation.
Various substrates (surfaces).
Placement of scale on plane with bottom of impression key. Use oblique lighting.
27
Notes to be recorded on footprints
Direction of travel
detail in impression (pattern),
substrate (dirt/snow/tile),
Any development or enhancement technique used (fingerprint powder, spray paint)?
How many? How many different types?
Any footwear for elimination from witnesses, victim, suspect?
28
LCV
Leucrystal Violet
Used to enhance the appearance of blood and give contrast.
29
Which surface texture often leads to less splatter
Hard and less porous surfaces
30
Which surface may lead to irregularly shaped stains with serrated edges and satellite splatter
Rough surfaces
31
What is some information we can get from blood stain pattern analysis
Direction from which blood originated.
Angle at which a blood droplet struck a surface.
Location or position of a victim at the time a bloody wound was inflicted.
Movement of a bleeding individual at a CS.
Minimum number of blows that struck a bleeding victim.
Approximate location/position of an individual delivering blows that produced a bloodstain pattern.
32
What does the shape of a blood stain say about the crime/evidence
Direction of travel
- The pointed end of an elliptical bloodstain indicated the direction of travel.
Impact angle of blood on surface determined by measuring the degree of a circular distortion of the stain.
- More circle, closer to 90 degree angle.
33
Determining the Angle of Impact Equation
Sin A = width of bloodstain / length of bloodstain
34
What is impact splatter
Occurs when an object impacts a source of blood.
35
Forward spatter
When blood travels away from the source in the same direction as the force that caused the spatter (exit wound from bullet).
36
Back splatter
When blood travels (projected) backward from a source that caused the spatter (bullet entrance wound)
As the velocity of the impact increases, the diameter of the resulting blood droplets decreases.
37
Low Splatter Velocity
5 ft per second or less and producing drops with diameters of greater than 4 mm.
Normally produced by gravity alone
38
Medium Splatter Velocity
Applied force moves at 5 to 25 feet per second. Produces drops that are 1-4 mm in size.
Blunt force trauma
39
High Splatter Velocity
100 ft /sec or faster. Produced blood droplets with diameters of less than 1 mm.
Gunshot wounds
40
Area of Convergence (2D)
area on a 2D plane where lines traced through the long axis of several individual bloodstains meet.
40
Area of origin (3D)
The location in 3D space from which blood that produced a bloodstain originated.
41
What is gunshot spatter
possible blowback spatter on weapon’s muzzle caused by a firing at a close distant
42
What is cast off spatter and what can this indicate
caused when blood is flung form an object that has blood on it is in motion.
May show minimum number of blows delivered to a victim.
43
Arterial Spray spatter
A bloodstain pattern caused by spurts that resulted from blood exiting under pressure from an arterial injury.
An injury to a main artery or heart would cause this pattern.
44
Experated blood
A pattern created when blood is expelled out of the nose, mouth of respiratory system as a result of air pressure and/or airflow. May contain air bubbles. May be lighter in colour do to being diluted by saliva.
45
Void patterns bpa
An area free of spatter where an object or person blocked the deposition of blood onto a surface or object.
46
Transfer patterns bpa
When an object with blood on it touches another object that did not have blood on it.
Swipe pattern caused by movement of bloody object across a surface.
Usually gets lighter as less and less blood is deposited from the transferring objects surface
47
Flows bpa
Patterns made by drops or large amounts of blood flowing with the pull of gravity.
Flow direction may show movement of objects or bodies.
48
Pools bpa
A pool of blood occurs when blood collects in a level, undisturbed place.
Skeletonization occurs when edges of a blood stain dry to the surface.
49
Drip trail patterns
A series of drops that is separate from other patterns and is formed by blood dripping off an object or injury.
Typically forms a kind of line.
50
Two ways to document bpa
Notes, photos and sketches need to be done. Close-up photos with scane needed.
Grid method: set up grid of squares of unknown dimensions over entire pattern.
Perimeter ruler method: set up a rectangular border of rulers around the pattern.
51
Luminol
Reacts with iron in hemoglobin to release blue light. The reaction is not specific to blood.
Sprayed onto area of crime scene suspected of having blood present.
Extremely sensitive, can detect minute traces of blood.
Must be performed in complete darkness (spraying and photos).
Possible damage to DNA.
52
Two methods used to capture tire track evidence
Main techniques used are photography and casting
53
what to include on notes for tire tracks
Where found (inside/outside),
direction of travel,
detail in impression (pattern),
substrate (dirt/snow/roadway)
any development or enhancement techniques used (fingerprint powder, spray paint)?,
How many, how many different types,
Any tires for comparison/elimination purposes from witnesses, victims, suspects?
54
Examples of skills and techniques in CSI
Photography and video
Notes
Autopsy
Exhibits
Sketches & Drawings
Specialized skills/units
Processing
Lab submissions
Disclosure
Court
55
MCM
Major Case Management
56
What system are Homicides in Ontario obligated to abide by
MCM
57
Tell me about MCM
The Major Case Management (MCM) System is a case management methodology emphasizing accountability and a multi-disciplinary approach to investigations of major case criteria offences.
It comprises a centralized coordinating body, investigative standards covering all areas, standardized training, and common case management technology for use by all Ontario police services during the investigation of criteria offences.
58
Major Cases covered by MCM
Homicides and attempts
Sex assaults and attempts
Non familial abductions and attempts
Suspicious missing persons
Found human remains (suspected homicide)
Criminal harassment (unknown)
59
Campbell inquiry (1996) identified issues in the Bernardo investigation
Lack of co-operation
Lack of communication
Need for common automated case management software
60
How does MCM help solve major police investigations?
Providing an efficient way to keep track of, sort and analyse huge amounts of information about a crime (names, locations, vehicles, phone numbers, etc.)
Streamlining investigations
Making it possible for police to see connections between cases so they can reduce the risk that serial offenders will avoid being caught
Preventing crime and reducing the number of potential victims by catching offenders sooner
61
What does a major case manager do
A) Assumes overall responsibility and accountability for the investigation
B) Determine strategies regarding the direction, speed and flow of the investigation
F) Identifies, acquires and deploys the necessary investigative and support resources
I) Ensures compliance with the Ontario MCM manual
N) Liase with the Office of the Chief Coroner, Centre of Forensic Sciences and representatives from other disciplines and agencies as required
62
VICLAS
Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System
63
Bernardo Investigation
Green ribbon task force
Involved police services from Halton, Niagara and Toronto
In the beginning they all were working independently
Initial incidents were in Toronto (Scarborough Rapist)
Then missing girl’s body found near St. Catharines area
Followed by missing girl’s body found in Burlington area
64
Charges in the bernardo investigation
Homolka - charged and convicted of 2 counts of manslaughter after deal with crown - 12 years
65
Finger prints
an impression of the friction ridges of all of or any part of the finger.
66
SWGFAST
Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis Study and Technoloogy.
Now known as organization of scientific area committees- OSAC.
67
Finger print theory (2)
1) Human friction ridge skin is unique. Each person possesses a unique (specific) arrangement of friction skin (no 2 fingerprints are same).
- Palmar: bottom of hands
-Plantar: bottom of feet
2) Human friction ridge skin is persistent (permanant) through the individuals life time.
Specifically, the sequence of the ridges and the arrangement of the minutia do not change throughout a person’s life. Except for an injury
68
When are fingerprints fully formed
6 month old fetus
69
Similarities with relatedness and fingerprints
unrelated persons of same race have very little similarity
siblings have slight similarity
identical twins have the most similarity
70
Thickest area of the skin
thickest area of the palms
Heels 4mm
71
Functions of skin
Acts as a container for the skeletal structure and internal organs.
Provides sensory input about external conditions such as heat and cold, wet and dry, sharp and soft.
Provides a means for the elimination of waste products such as salts, amino acids, ammonia and urea by sweating(controls body temperature as well).
Allows for the ability to grasp surfaces firmly and grip objects.
72
Anatomy of friction ridge skin
Has two distinct layers, epidermis (top) and dermis (bottom).
73
Epidermis
The outer layer of the skin.
Protective barrier for the underlying tissues.
It must constantly replace cells leaving the surface.
Consists of 5 different layers.
Layers of the epidermis– 28 day cell migration (Dust)
74
Skin layers
Stratum corneum
Stratum lucidum
stratum granulosum
stratum spinosum
stratum basale
Dermis
75
Dermis
The inner or bottom layer of skin.
A thick layer of fibrous and elastic tissue that
gives the skin its flexibility and strength.
Contains nerves, sweat glands, and blood vessels.
A layer of connective tissue that supports the epidermis.
A part of the sensory reception and temperature regulation process.
76
Fingerprint secretions
Almost 99% of a deposited print is composed of water.
Organic and inorganic salts, amino acids, and fats make up other 1%.
Chemical composition of residues changes with time.
As water evaporates, the print dries out and this effects the ability to visualize the print (therefore the need for different techniques).
As a result, the chance of developing a print is inversely proportional to the time since it was deposited.
77
Levels of examining fingerprints
Level 1- pattern
level two- ridge characteristics
level 3- ridge pores, ridge edges.
78
3 types of fingerprints
arch
loop
whorl
79
Loop pattern
65% fingerprints have this pattern
1 delta
lines enter on one side, recurve around & leave on same side.
80
Whorl Pattern
at lease 1 ridge does a complete circuit.
30% of fingerprints have this pattern.
2 deltas.
81
Arch Pattern
lines enter on one side and leave on the other side.
About 5% of fingerprints have this pattern.
No deltas.
82
Minutiae and Examples
Characteristics of ridge patterns. The average finger contains as many as 150 ridge characteristics.
Ridge ending, island or short ridge, bridge, eye or enclosure, delta, bifurcation fork, dot, spur, double bifurcation, trifucation.
83
Shapes of Ridge structures
Position of pores, edge shapes, creases, scares, and incipient ridges.
On their own, not used to identify a fingerprint.
Poor clairty of a print may limit the ability to see this level of detail.
Friction ridges that did not fully form. May appear as shorter and thinner in appearence .
Also known as “false” “rudimentary” or “nascent” ridges. Not used for classification purposes.
84
Incipient ridge
a immature friction ridge, thinner than those surrounding it.
85
ACE-V
Analysis, comparison, evaluation, verification
For analysis of fingeerprints
86
Describe the first analysis step
The assessment of an unknown impression to determine suitability for comparison.
Pattern and ridge characteristics of unknown impression are observed and noted.
Notes made including: Level 1 detail (pattern), level 2 detail (ridge characteristics), level 3 details (ridge features. Substrate (surface), matrix (residue composition), deposition pressure, development medium, anatomical aspects, clarity.
87
Describe comparison step
The observation (comparison) of two or more impressions to determine the existence of discrepancies, dissimilarities or similarities. Examiner compares the unknown print side by side the known (exemplar) print.
The comparison should be conducted in an objective manner.
88
Describe evaluation step
The conclusion is the opinion of examiner and is subjective in nature
A quantitative and qualitative evaluation to determine if there is agreement of the friction ridge formations, in sequence, having sufficient uniqueness to individualize.
Identification/evaluation: from the same source. Exclusion: not from the same source.
Inconclusive: unable to indiviualize/idetify or exclude as being from the same source.
89
Are there a certain amount of characteristics that need to be identified when comparing fingerprints
There are no predetermined, minimum # of features/charachteristics required to report an identification decision
90
3 types of fingerprint evidence that can be found at crime scenes
Latent
not readily visible to the naked eyes, needs the use of development technique.
Visible
readily visible without the use of development technique.
Moulded
impressions that retain the 3D shape of the ride detail within the surface. eg. wax, chewing gum, etc.
91
What is used for fingerprinting on porous surfaces
chemical processes (paper.)
92
What is used for fingerprinting on nonporous surfaces
powders or glue fuming (glass bottle).
93
What is powdering, how does it work
the application of finely ground, colored powder to a nonporous object to make latent prints visible.
Powder clings to moisture, oil, and other residues.
Apply a small amount of powder onto the surface and begin to brush.
Brush in the direction of any ridges that begin to appear.
Build powder onto ridges and stop when latent print reaches point of sufficient clarity. A print can be over powdered.
94
3 types of brushes for dusting
fiberglass filament brush, camel-hair brush, feather duster.
95
What should guns be packaged in
cardboard box with the action open
96
How should swabs be packaged
breathable boxes or containers.
97
Reasons for maintaining control of the scene
Control movement of persons in the crime scene (victims, witnesses, suspects).
Limit who enters the crime scene (only those directly involved in investigation).
Minimize contamination.
Establish and maintain boundaries (scexne perimeter).
98
purpose of a crime scene sketch
A record of the size and distance relationship of the crime scene and the evidence found within in.
Clarifies information from photos and video, because it allows the viewer to easily gauge distances & dimensions.
The easiest way to clearly present the crime scene layout and associated measurements.
99
3 common measurement strategies
Triagnulation
Rectangular Co-ordinatate method
Baseline method
100
Triangulation
The triangulation method utilizes two fixed permanent object within the crime scene.
Measurements are taken from each fixed point to each piece of evidence.
Do not want the fixed points too far from the evidence (be < 30 meters).
May need to use more than 1 set of reference points for measuring.
Most accurate of the three methods.
101
Rectangulation
Used when measuring the distance to an object from two mutually perpendicular objects. Ex; interior of a room.
Useful for indoor scenes.
Need to know starting/reference point.
More accurate than baseline.
102
Baseline measurement
Used to measure items of evidence when there are various objects in the crime scene.
Lay tape measure in the scene (baseline).
Measure exhibits/items from baseline at right angle.
Useful for outdoor scenes.
Basic and least accurate method.
103
Polar Co-ordinate Mapping
2D mapping system.
Need to be able to measure angles (compass or transit required) & distance from fixed point.
New mapping technology is now often used in its place.
Large outdoor scenes with few landmarks.
104
Alphonse Bertillon
1882 - Used anthmpometry
11 body measurements
replaced by fingerprints
also developed pictures of scene on tripod
105
Hans Gross
1891- publication of his book, Criminal Investigation, was the first comprehensive description for using a physical evidence to solve crime.
Austrian professor and magistrate. Credited with coining the word “criminalistics”.
106
Edmund Locard
1910- Locard created the first crime laboratory in Lyone, France. Forensic scientist.
“Locard’s exchange principle.” Now considered to be trace evidence.
“It is impossible for a criminal to act, espescially considering the intesity of crime, without leaving traces of this presence”.
Did extensive work in the study of fingerprints (Dactyloscopy).
107
NAS report
released in 2009
indicates deficiencies and inconsistencies in a number of areas including variability of practice, training, policy, standard and oversight.
108
Hart House Report
2012
Forensic Science in Canada.
Essentially Canadian Nas report
109
PCAST Report
2016
PCAST Report discusses the various comparison disciplines in a full and frank manor.
110
Forensic Role of Investigators
Recording, documenting and examining the scene. The collection and preservation of evidence.
Submitting exhibits for further examination (CFS in ontraio).
Carrying out their role independently and without tunnel vision.
Being a support service to front line officers and investigators.
Testifying in court.
111
3 Steps to crime scene investigation
Learn- gather information/intelligence.
Plan (scene walk through)- assess, develop plan and prioirtize steps.
Act- processing the scene.
112
UAV
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
113
Lawful Authority of Crime Scenes
No crime scene can be entered upon or exhibits seized without the proper lawful authority in place. Obtained by
Consent (voluntary/wills),
search warrant (CC, controlled Drug & Substance Act),
Legislation (Coroners Act
114
Voluntary Consent
An individual can give voluntary consent to police to examine themselves, vehicle, place of residence or business.
This is how the police typically examine most crime scenes. Ex: business calls police to report break & enter (B&E).
115
Wills Consent (Informed Consent)
The person did consent to the search. The person has to have the authority to consent ot the search.
The person giving consent was aware of what the police were going to do.
The consent was voluntary (no threats or promises), the person was aware of the right to refuse to give consent.
The person was aware of the potential consequences of giving consent.
The R. v. Wills (1992) OJ 294 (ONCA), outlines the conditions what must be met in order for an individual to give informed consent
116
Search Warrant
Authorizes, for a limited time, the search of a place for the purpose of seizing “things”.
“Things” does not include drugs. - must go through CDSA
117
CDSA
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
118
Scenario: 2 people struggled inside a residence over a shotgun. The shotgun went off striking a third person inside the home.
Victim driven to the hospital. Police attend and secure the scene. Police obtain a criminal code search warrant to process the scene (house, car, detached garage, are all included in the warrant but not a shed - aka “outbuildings”).
Items to be searched include: shotgun, ammunition, clothing. Outside the shed, police located an illegal marijuana grow operation. Can the drugs be seized?
No, any drugs cannot be seized.
Before dealing with the drugs, police must obtain a search warrant under the CDSA.
Failure to do so would likely mean that any drug charges would not proceed in court.
The drug evidence would not be admitted into court as it would have been obtained improperly.
Breach of section 8 of the Charter (unreasonable search and seizure).
119
Coroner's Act
Coroner may enter and inspect any place where a dead body is found and any place, based on reasonable grounds, a body was removed from.
Can inspect records and seize anything relevant to investigation.
Police must assist Coroner when request.
Coroner may authorize a police officer to exercise all or any of the Coroner’s power.
This allows police, under direction of coroner, to enter a scene in order to document deceased in situ (in original place) and remove them.
Does not allow for any other type of scene examination.
120
Type of crime scenes
Primary: location where actual crime or initial crime occurred. Ex; murder scene- body location.
Secondary: location where subsequence crime or actions related to initial crime scene occurred.
Ex; Location where stolen vehicle was recovered that was used to flee from murder scene.
Body moved to location other than murder scene.
121
Public Area and Right to Search
The police have the right to conduct investigations in public areas such as parks and roadways.
Do not need permission to close an area in the public domain (owned by some level of government).
122
4 types of evidence
Impression evidence: fingerprints, footwear, tire tracks.
DNA: blood, hair, other bodily fluids.
Physical: clothing, weapons, tools, documents.
Digital: computers, security cameras, cell phones.
123
CFS
Centre of Forensic Sciences
Established in 1932 (second lab in Canada). In 1966 the lab was renamed the Center of Forensic Sciences.
124
CFS Sections (5)
Biology, chemisty, documents, firearms and toolmarks, toxicology.
125
CFS DNA Sections
High Volume Service (HVS): Mainly B&Es, theft, drug offences, weapons, stolen vehicles.
They only accept: ciggarette butts, swabs, cut outs from envelope flaps.
Violent Crime Service (VCS): all primary designated offensence except B&E. Hommicides, robbery, sexual assault.
126
NDDB
National DNA Data Bank
Assists law enforcement agencies in solving crimes by:
1. Linking crimes together where there are no suspects
2. Helping to identify suspects
3. Eliminating suspects where there is no match between crime scene DNA and a DNA profile in the national DNA Data bank.
4. And Determining whether a serial offender is involved.
127
Two indices
The Convicted Offender Index(COI): electronic index developed from DNA profiles collected from offenders convicted of designated primary and secondary offences.
Crime Scene Index(CSI): separate electronic index composed of DNA profiles from crime scene investigations
128
CODIS
Combined DNA Index System
129
Interpol DNA Data Base
Automated DNA database is called DNA Gateway (2002). >280,000 DNA profiles from 87 countries.
Member countries submit profiles (offenders, Crime scene, missing persons, and unidentified remains).
130
Four Main search techniques
Line search, grid search, zone search, spiral search
131
Line Search
Accomplished by searches moving in parallel, along defined lanes, in the same direction.
Each lane is about 1 metre wide.
Suitable for outdoor areas or large indoor areas.
Looking for bigger items.
132
Grid Search
Conducted by completing a line search in one direction and then completing it in the opposite direction.
Through method, time consuming, resource intensive.
133
Zone Search
Involves dividing an area to be search into several adjacent zones. Good when searching for small objects.
Can be done by one or more searchers.
134
Spiral Search
Searcher walks in a circular direction from the inside/outside to the outside/inside of the area to be searched.
Used when looking for evidence that is expected to be found within a specific distance or another piece of evidence (nearby). Ex, ejected spent casing near gun that was fired in that location.
135
Case Example of Unorganized Investigation
Toronto, Andrea Atkinson, a 6 yr old girl was abducted in her apartment building, sexually assaulted & murdered.
Nine days later, her body was found in a boiler room on the sixth floor of the building by a janitor.
Police had searched the building, though there was no record of when or who had searched that room or if the was searched at all. It is believed that was the crime scene.
DNA evidence helped convict another janitor, an 18 yr old male of the crime.
136
Scene Photos
General photos taken of the scene prior to processing.
Shows everything as found.
Not a defined process. Painting a picture. As found by the police forensic unit upon arrival.
137
Exhibit Photos
A specific set of photos of an exhibit, object, or piece of evidence.
Follows a defined process.
Consists of a series of photos (typically 4). Area where evidence should be in the scene
138
4 photographs required of the scene
Overall
Midrange
Close up
Close up w scale
139
DSLR
Digital Single Lens Reflex
140
CCD
Charged Coupled Device
141
Exposure
(amount of light) is controlled by shutter speed/aperture.
142
File formats
JPEG
TIFF
RAW
143
JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group (fast, “lossy” format).
This is the most common image format used in digital cameras.
You lose some quality each time you open/close the file.
144
RAW
proprietary format (original data, no standards)
ie.: this means that Nikon has their formal and cannon has their own.
Stores the highest quality image.
Has been called the digital “negative”.
145
TIFF
Tagged Image File Format (high quality, large files, lossless compression).
Used when opening/saving file repeatedly.
146
Aperture
Size of opening in the camera lens through which light passes.
Bigger opening, more light passes through
Also called F stop
The larger the fraction, larger the aperture (more light allowed).
Ex: F4, F5.6, F8, F11, F16, F22, F32.
F4 lets in the most light and F32 lets in the least amount of light.
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Shutter Speed
The length of time the camera shutter stays open exposing light onto the camera sensor.
The longer the shutter is open, the more light that will reach the sensor.
The faster the shutter speed, the shorter the time the image sensor is exposed to light; the slower the shutter speed, the longer the time the image sensor is exposed to light.
Each shutter setting is half (or double) that of the next one (ex: 1/60 is half of 1/30 so half the light).
148
What causes "camera shake"
Any time over (longer 1/60 of a second can introduce “camera shake”) i.e. 1/30, 1/20
149
ASA/ISO
A numerical rating that describes the sensitivity to light of CCD/film.
Does not affect the amount of light entering the camera!! It brightens a photo after the sensor has been exposed to light.
Rating ranges typically go from 100 to 3200 (although they can go lower and higher).
As you raise the number, the picture will get brighter but will also start to get grainier.
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Depth of Field
the distance between the closest and farthest object in a photo that appear acceptably sharp.
Controlled by aperture (f-stop) selection. Crime scene & evidence photos should have as much in focus as possible
Can also be affected by:
1) the distance from the subject to the camera, 2) the focal length of the lens.
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TTL Flash Metering
Stands for “through the lens”.
Pre-flash occurs which reflects light back through the lens.
This is measured & value is used to calculate amount of light needed for actual exposure. Not visible to human eye.
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Flash Techniques(7)
Direct flash, feathered flash, fill in flash, bounce flash, oblique flash, multiple flash (on camera), multiple flash (off)
153
Direct Flash
Flash is pointed directly at the subject/item.
The flash is mounted on top of the camera on the hot shoe.
154
Feathered Flash
The flash is off camera held above the lens. It is pointed into the scene where you want the light to go.
Usually pointed downwards about two-thirds of the way.
155
Fill in Flash
Used on bright sunny days.
Camera reads the overall brightness when calculating the exposure.
Items in shadow areas will not be clearly visible.
Point flash in direction of shadow areas to raise the brightness level (on or off camera) in the shadow area.
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Bounce Flash
Used for less contrast, softer lighting & reducing the intensity of the light.
Flash head is typically set to 45o angle.
The surface the flash that is directed at should be clear of obstructions and lighter if possible.
157
Oblique Flash
Typically used when photographing impression evidence(fingerprints, footwear).
Flash is connected to a flash sync cord and held at an angle to the subject being photographed (45o).
Used to show detail by creating shadows on the surface of the evidence. Various angles can be used.
158
Multiple Flash (On Camera)
Camera mounted on tripod. Flash is activated manually. Typically used for low light/ no light scenes.
Longer exposure time is required to activate flash several times. A faster lens is used, wide aperture (Ex:f/1.4, f/1.8)
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Multiple Flash (Off Camera)
Aka “painting by light”. Useful for large outdoor scenes at night with little ambient light (streetlights, house lights).
Camera on tripod. Long exposure time. May use a “bulb” setting. May use portable flash
160
Ring Flash
A circular flash that fits around a camera lens. Allows light to spread out evenly over the area being photographed.
Very good for macro (close-up) photography. Often used at autopsies. Seen on CSI type shows used incorrectly.
161
What flash is used for impression evidence
Oblique Flash
162
Admissibility of Photo Evidence in Court
Photo must be relevant to the point in issue.
The photo must not be prejudicial (autopsy) to the court or jury.
The photo must be free from distortion and not misrepresent what it claims to show.
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Civillian Positions
Crime scene investigator (CSI): Civillians.
Forensic ident assistant (FIA): sworn or civilian
Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO): civilian
Forensic services assistant (FSA): civillian
Scenes of Crime Specialist (SCS): sworn or civilian
Crime Scene support technician (CSST): civillan
164
Commonly Used illegal drugs in Canada(7)
Cocaine
Meth
MDMA
Marijuana
Acid(LSD)
Speed
Heroine
165
Prescription medications used illegally(4)
morphine
oxycodone
Benzodiazepines
Methadone
166
Which drug causes the most overdose
Fentanyl is the drug causing the most deaths at this time by overdose
167
Fentanyl
A synthetic opiate narcotic
Requires a prescription
Normally prescribed to people in
severe pain
Extremely potent
Growing abuse crisis in Canada
(and beyond)
168
How much is a lethal dose of fentanyl
The lethal dose of pure fentanyl
for a non-opiate user is 2mg (1g
=1000mg) which is comparable
to 32 grains of salt or 7 poppy
seeds
The lethal dose of pure
Carfentanil is projected as 20
mcg (1 gram 1 million mcg)
which is approximately 1 grain
of salt.
169
Naloxone
A drug that can temporarily
reverse the effects of an opioid
overdose
Precautions also being taken by
the CFS as they could receive
exhibits submitted for analysis
that contain traces of fentanyl
170
Types of Firearms
Handguns
Long guns
171
Handguns
Pistol
Revolver
172
Long guns
Rifle
Shotgun
Two differences between them are
the ammunition and the barrel
Shotgun ammunition is called a
“shell”, rifle fires a “bullet”
Shell contains numerous ball
shaped projectiles called shot
Barrel of shotgun is smooth unlike
rifles which have grooves and lands
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Pistol
Handgun with a single barrel and
chamber
Fires a chambered round
Extracts and ejects the empty
casing
Loads a new round into the
chamber with each trigger pull
174
Revolver
Handgun with a cylinder that has
multiple chambers
When trigger is pulled, cylinder
rotates around a central pin to
align the next chamber with the
firing pin
Fires one bullet per trigger pull
Single barrel
175
Single Action vs Double Action
Single Action
the hammer must be cocked
manually and then the trigger
pulled to fire the gun
Must be done each time
Double Action
can be fired with
one pull of the trigger
This cocks and drops the hammer
with the pull of the trigger
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Rifling
Found in the barrels of rifles and
handguns
A manufacturing process that
creates lands and grooves in a
spiral down the length of the
barrel
177
Shotguns
Projectile does not spin as it travels the length of the barrel
The shotgun shell contains the projectile
Shotguns are referred to by their gauge
Gauge is the measurement of the barrel’s inside diameter (smaller the
gauge, the larger the diameter)
May be single or double barreled which may be arranged side by side
or over under in configuration
178
Common Shotgun gauges
10 gauge (.775")
12 gauge(.725")
16 gauge(0.665")
20 gauge(0.615")
28 gauge(0.545")
.410 Bore (.410")
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Types of Shotguns
Repeating – have a mechanical instrument to eject spent shot shell,
load a new round and cock the hammer after the round is fired
- Pump
- Bolt
- Lever action
Semi automatic – use the force of the gas produced during firing to
eject the spent cartridge, load a new round and cock the hammer
Break open action – must be loaded each time before it is fired
- Trigger needs to be pulled each time to fire the gun
180
Rifles
Repeating – have a mechanical
instrument to eject spent cartridge,
load a new round and cock the
hammer after the round is fired
- Pump*
- Bolt
- Lever action
- Semi automatic – use the force of the
gas produced during firing to eject
the spent cartridge, load a new round
and cock the hammer
- *rare, older style
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3 types of projectiles
bullets
Shotgun shells
Shotgun slugs
182
Shotgun shell info
Inside
Primer, Gunpowder, wad, shot
Outside
Rim, Brass head, shell casing
183
Ammunition Terminology
Live ammunition is referred to as a “cartridge”, it has not been fired
Centre fire primer is most common
The base of a cartridge case will contain the manufacturer’s name or trademark on it
184
Firearms Identification
Serial number
Manufacturer
Type of firearm (rifle,shotgun,handgun)
Loaded/unloaded/ch ambered
Any other descriptive characteristics (sawed off barrel, damage to
weapon)
185
How to link firearms to scenes
Striations in fired bullet
Gunpowder residue pattern
Trajectory, ricochet, bullet holes
Fingerprints (rare)
Firing pin impressions
Ejector and extractor marks
Bullet damage to tissue
DNA
186
How to link persons to firearms
Gunshot Residue (GSR)
Hands – within 8 hours of incident
Clothing – only exposed items
Vehicles – submit whole vehicle
187
IBIS
Integrated Ballistics Identification System
used for the acquisition, storage, and comparison of
digital images from projectiles and/or cartridge/shotshell cases
188
CIBIN
Canadian Integrated Ballistics Identification Network
Assists police agencies in linking crime scenes or crime scene items to
firearms
189
Distance Determination
Primarily involves clothing and excised tissue but may include vehicles, buildings and street signs,etc.
gunshot residue (GSR) travels from the barrel, the broader and less
concentrated the distribution of the residue becomes, useful for up to approximately 1 metre
190
SFI
Suspicious Firearms Index
The SFI initiative is a streamlined process that provides police
agencies with investigative information regarding:
Whether a seized/recovered firearm is linked to a shooting occurrence
191
Trajectory Analysis
Describes the curved path of the
projectile from the muzzle to the
target surface
Includes:
1) Inspection of the target surface for projectile damage
2) Identify entrance versus exit points
3) Identify corresponding (i.e. secondary) impact sites
4) Determine the directionality of the projectile path (front to back, right to left, etc.)
5) Measure vertical and horizontal angles of impact
192
Intermediate target
The passage of a projectile(s) through an object before striking the primary target surface under examination
193
Penetrate
To enter an object and stay in it
194
Perforate
To pass all the way through an object
195
Primary Impact
The first impact made by the projectile
196
Secondary/Tertiary Impact
The second, third etc. impacts of a
projectile after the first impact
197
What is a death investigation and what does it entail?
A death investigation is a process whereby a coroner or forensic pathologist seeks to understand how and why a person died.
Incldues:
Who
When
Where
How
By what manner
198
Coroners authority
Gives police permission to enter scene and process deceased
Only coroner can order body to be moved
Any evidence collected must be do to extigent circumstances
Coroner can issue a coroners warrant for things such as medical and dental records
Coroner decides whether autopsy will be ordered or not
199
Manner of Death
Natural - Medical reason
Unnatural
- Suicide
- Homicide
- Undetermined
- Accidentall
200
Cause of death
The injury or disease responsible for causing the death (COD)
- Person dies from cancer
(manner: natural death)
- Person dies from blunt force
trauma (manner: homicide)
201
Suicide investigations
Was the person physically able to accomplish the act?
Are the wounds within the reach of the deceased?
Are the wounds grouped together?
Is there more than one cause of death?* (from autopsy)
Are there any hesitation marks or wounds?
Describe the nature and position of the injuries
Look for position of knot on neck
Type of ligature
Cut between attached location and several inches above neck
Try to preserve knot(s)
Do not remove noose from neck
Take measurements of body position
202
Shooting Investigations
Look for bloodstain pattern evidence, things like voids,
position of staining
Stippling from GSR/blood
How was trigger pulled?
Length of long gun and length of arm to trigger finger
Don’t handle the firearm unless you are sure how it works
203
Overdose Investigations
History
Prescriptions- amounts, types, when last filled
Non prescription drugs – scene safety issues
Opioids
Seize bottles and remaining pills
(do not put in body bag)
Need to be stored properly
204
Suspicious Death investigations
Cause of death is not clear
Decomposition can be one mitigating factor
No family or friends in area
Position/location of body
Stories/allegations
Lack of medical history
Identity is unknown
Location – inside/outside/buried
205
Homicide Investigations
Death that has occurred as a result of someone else’s actions
Murder 1st degree – premeditated death (planned and deliberate)
Murder 2nd degree – meant to kill person but not preplanned
Manslaughter – person did not intend to kill person by their actions
206
Forensic Odontology and Importance
involves using teeth to provide information about the identification of victims when a body is left in an unrecognizable state.
Tooth enamel is hardest substance of human anatomy, persists in harsh conditions
207
Forensic Anthropology and Importance
concerned primarily with the identification and examination of human skeletal remains
this is in the context of
investigations (criminal or civil) to determine age, gender, ancestry, and other conditions
208
Ground Penetrating Radar
Has the ability to detect buried items non-destructively
It gives quick and precise results
thereby making it efficient to use
Works in various environments
209
GPR vs Metal Detector
GPR is more expensive than a metal detector ($15000 vs $ 1000)
GPR can work at much greater depths than a metal detector ( 1
metre vs about 30 cm)
GPR can cover more ground faster and more accurately
GPR requires a properly trained operator
GPR takes up more space and is not
as easy to transport to scenes
210
Swiss Air 111 Crash
December 2nd, 1998
New York to Geneva
229 people on board
Electrical fire
Crashed in Atlantic Ocean off Peggy’s Cove
Estimated 15,000 body parts recovered
1 victim identified visually
30 by fingerprints and antemortem x-rays
90 by dental records
100 by DNA profiling
211
Bite Mark Analysis
Relies on two assumptions:
1) that dental impressions are unique to an individual (i.e. like DNA)
2) that human skin reliably records the transfer and preservation of a bite
-mark impression
212
Issues with bite mark evidence
Neither assumption has been proven
(PCAST) concluded that forensic bite mark evidence is not
scientifically valid and is unlikely to ever be validated
213
Advantages to VR training
Students who learn using VR remember better and score higher
Offers an enhanced learning experience over video and books
Higher engagement compared to video
Lower cost than e-learning
Can be delivered in a passive (watch), semi-interactive (watch and
answer questions) and interactive format (take actions and make
choices)
VR is completely virtual, requires a headset and enhances a fictional
reality
214
Augmented Reality
System that streams video from body
cameras worn by police officers/members
to experts elsewhere
Experts can guide officers by annotating
scene virtually with notes or verbally
Officers see these on a smartphone or
head mounted device like Google Glass
AR enhances both virtual and real world
