Fundamental Forensic Techniques

Question 1

Define chain of evidence/custody

Answer 1

An evidence record of all the individuals who have had physical possession of the evidence for whatever reason

Question 2

When should evidential reports be made?

Answer 2

At the time or as soon after the event as possible

Question 3

Define hearsay

Answer 3

Information gathered by one person from another concerning something of which the second person had no direct experience

Question 4

What are the four essential conditions which must be fulfilled before an S9 statement is admitted as evidence in court?

Answer 4

1. The statement must be signed in all appropriate places by the person making it
2. It must be endorsed with the S9 declaration which must also be signed
3. A certified copy of the statement must be served on the opposition and court prior to the hearing
4. The content of the statement must be agreed and not subject to any form of dispute

Question 5

Where should the person writing the S9 statement sign?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What does ELBOWS stand for?

Answer 6

Erasures
Leaves torn out
Blank spaces
Overwriting
Writing between the lines
Strike through

Question 7

What are the factors of the order in which you recover evidence governed by?

Answer 7

Evidence decay rate
Ability to recover
Relevance to scene
Likely weight in court

Question 8

What are the 5 elements to a final sketch?

Answer 8

Heading
Diagram area
Legend
Title block
Scale and directional notes

Question 9

Why should a sketch have a heading?

Answer 9

States why the sketch was created

Question 10

Why should a sketch have a diagram area?

Answer 10

It includes the drawing itself. It needs to be a balance between information included vs amount of clutter

Question 11

Why should a sketch have a legend?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Why should a sketch have a title block?

Answer 12

Provides key information to the person observing the text

Question 13

What should a title block include?

Answer 13

1. The report number, or CJ art exhibit ref
2. Physical address of the scene
3. Name and rank of sketch creator
4. Time and date the sketch was created

Question 14

Why should a sketch have scale and directional notes as compass directions?

Answer 14

In order to help with evidence, such as finger marks

Question 15

What should be disclosed?

Answer 15

• Unused materials (materials on which the Crown do not reply)
• Material which may tend to support the defence or undermine the prosecution

Question 16

What are the 4 ways a sketch can be drawn?

Answer 16

Birds eye view
Exploded view
Elevation sketch
Three-dimensional sketch

Question 17

What is the most accurate way of determining where an object is on a sketch?

Answer 17

Triangulation

Question 18

What is the major and minor component of fingerprint impressions?

Answer 18

Major - water
Minor - amino acids

Question 19

The mark hidden or invisible requiring enhancement to visualise it is said to be..?

Answer 19

Potent

Question 20

A fingermark left on a soft material, such as put or wax, is referred to as which type of fingermark?

Answer 20

Plastic

Question 21

What surface are fingerprint powders most useful for developing fingermarks?

Answer 21

Porous