Homicide Investigations Flashcards
True/False
Demonstrative evidence- evidence that is not the actual object itself but represents, illustrates or corroborates the real thing.
True
True/False
Relevant evidence is any evidence tending in reason to prove or disprove any disputed fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action.
True
A few things to think about when handling evidence:
*Protect the evidence. Protection may range from human interference to natural causes.
*Collection of evidence should be methodical and follow an established pattern.
*Preserve the evidence in a plastic bag or tight container to avoid evaporation.
*Transport the evidence in a way that preserves it and protects the chain of custody.
*Safeguard the evidence in a secured repository that protects it from both the elements and individuals.
*Identify the evidence when it is collected.
True/False
You are at the scene to do several things: To determine is a crime has been committed, what crimes has been committed, how it was committed, and who committed it. Therefore, that requires a search of the scene: an organized search.
True
True/False
First responding officers must secure the scene while making sure that their activities do not, in any way, interfere with the makeup of the scene. When they change factors at the scene of a crime those factors may likely be lost for the rest of the investigation, possibly leading to faulty conclusions about the crime. Aside from the need to aid the victims and apprehending the suspect (if still on the scene) they must protect the crime scene. If anything is changed at the scene they must tell the investigators.
True
True/False
We accept the fact that only relevant evidence is admissible.
True
True/False
Always photograph the scene of a crime. Take the number of photographs that will satisfy you that any question that can possibly arise at some later date about the location can be answered. Take photographs from a variety of angles to show all possible aspects of a scene. Take close ups of important items of evidence. Try not to distort the photograph. Take as many photos of the body, from every conceivable angle, as you can. Some suggestions:
*photograph the face of the decedent if only for ID and nothing else,
*photograph any unusual or identifying marks
*photograph all wounds in various aspect of focal length
*particularities of clothing on the body (I.e. pants pulled down, shirt mid-buttoned, etc.)
True
When the investigator/analyst arrives at the scene after an initial walk through and preliminary review of those events surrounding the crime there must be a systematic search of the area.
There are several methods we must consider:
Spoke method
Spiral method
Zone method
Grid method
Strip method
True/False
If the probative value of evidentiary material outweighs any “side” or extraneous, prejudicial weight of the evidence, it is admissible if it, for example, goes toward proving that a person committed a crime or other act when relevant to prove some fact such as:
Motive
Intent
Plan
Knowledge
Absence of mistake or accident
True
True/False
Real evidence- includes the actual, tangible exhibits involved in a case. Almost invariably that are intrinsically relevant and are admissible if the prosecutor can show that this is what it purports to be.
True
