Fundamental Forensic Techniques Flashcards
Define chain of evidence/custody
An evidence record of all the individuals who have had physical possession of the evidence for whatever reason
When should evidential reports be made?
At the time or as soon after the event as possible
Define hearsay
Information gathered by one person from another concerning something of which the second person had no direct experience
What are the four essential conditions which must be fulfilled before an S9 statement is admitted as evidence in court?
- The statement must be signed in all appropriate places by the person making it
- It must be endorsed with the S9 declaration which must also be signed
- A certified copy of the statement must be served on the opposition and court prior to the hearing
- The content of the statement must be agreed and not subject to any form of dispute
Where should the person writing the S9 statement sign?
Under the declaration
At the bottom of each page
After the last word of the text
All mistakes and corrections initialled
Any alterations or additions initialled
What does ELBOWS stand for?
Erasures
Leaves torn out
Blank spaces
Overwriting
Writing between the lines
Strike through
What are the factors of the order in which you recover evidence governed by?
Evidence decay rate
Ability to recover
Relevance to scene
Likely weight in court
What are the 5 elements to a final sketch?
Heading
Diagram area
Legend
Title block
Scale and directional notes
Why should a sketch have a heading?
States why the sketch was created
Why should a sketch have a diagram area?
It includes the drawing itself. It needs to be a balance between information included vs amount of clutter
Why should a sketch have a legend?
Short hand will need to be used and the legend allows the text to be shifted out of the sketch itself in to another area
Why should a sketch have a title block?
Provides key information to the person observing the text
What should a title block include?
- The report number, or CJ art exhibit ref
- Physical address of the scene
- Name and rank of sketch creator
- Time and date the sketch was created
Why should a sketch have scale and directional notes as compass directions?
In order to help with evidence, such as finger marks
What should be disclosed?
- Unused materials (materials on which the Crown do not reply)
- Material which may tend to support the defence or undermine the prosecution
What are the 4 ways a sketch can be drawn?
Birds eye view
Exploded view
Elevation sketch
Three-dimensional sketch
What is the most accurate way of determining where an object is on a sketch?
Triangulation
What is the major and minor component of fingerprint impressions?
Major - water
Minor - amino acids
The mark hidden or invisible requiring enhancement to visualise it is said to be..?
Potent
A fingermark left on a soft material, such as put or wax, is referred to as which type of fingermark?
Plastic
What surface are fingerprint powders most useful for developing fingermarks?
Porous
Define latent fingermarks
Those which are hidden or invisible. They usually come from a transfer of body perspiration or oils and must be enhanced
Define patent fingermarks
Ridges placed on a surface after contact with a coloured material, such as blood, paint, grease, and ink
Define plastic fingermarks
Ridges left on a soft material, such as putty, wax, soap and dust