Initial response and scene security Flashcards
Who is called within the three-tiered response:
Police, Emg’s, and the Fire department
T or F: the safety of first responders is paramount
True
What comes after the priority of first responders?
Preservation of life (if the person is not deceased)
What must be first established on a scene?
An inner and outer perimeter, but also a “path of contamination”
Path of Contamination:
Asses boundaries and instructs first responders how to enter and exit the scene.
- Least likely to have evidence or to be travelled by suspect and victim.
What is the role of the responding officer?
Ensure safety of first responders. . .
- Asses’s scene and secure (path of contamination)
- Documentation
- Transference of responsibility
What further establishes scene safety?
Looking for immediate threats to first responders
- Render scene (see if suspect is on scene)
Lifesaving measures are done once . . .
Scene is deemed safe
Scene security is preserved through . . .
- Phsysical presence
- Police line tape
-Locks/barriers - method depends
- barricades (vehicles)
- Methods (scope/location)
- Death investigation (tents to conceal death)
What perimeters are there?
Inner and Outer
Inner:
Core area where criminal act occurred
Outer:
Includes probable entry and exit routes
- police tape
Rule of thumb:
Designates a large perimeter
- Always better to make the Perimeter bigger, and then adjust.
Security log:
Documented notes of all peoples who enter and exit the scene
Who takes care of the security log:
Scene security officer
What does the scene security log contain?
- Name and affiliation
- Time and entry
- Why their on the scene
- Under whose authority
What does the security log ensure?
- Crime scene and evidence
- Possible contamination/cross contamination
Especially in important cases where crime scene record evidence and analyzed (a lot of time)
What is the process of documentation?
- Entering scene
- Observe (take written notes)
- Document everything (including info surrounding dispatch and arrival at scene)
- Even negative info (mistakes/honest errors disclosed)
T or F: It is also important to document witness statements
True
What causes contamination of evidence?
Human error, and not wearing PPE
What does PPE include?
- Tyvek suits
- Disposable shoe covers
- Mask/other respiratory protection (covers mouth and nose)
- Googles/eye protection
- Face shield (prevent droplets of fluid)
Double glove technique:
Wear two purple nitrile gloves on top of one another
- Prevents accidental tear and contamination of evidence
T or F: the CSI is one of the first people to arrive at the scene
True
Prelim assessment:
Ongoing process
- Initial walkthrough completed and takes notes.
“Look but don’t touch”
Develop a plan and approach
- Dont touch evidence without PPE
What does the initial walkthrough allow?
- Determine the nature/extent of the scene
- CSI may adjust the perimeter
- Develop a theory of crime
- Create a rough sketch (evidence location)
- Develop team approach
- Determine search technique
What are two legal aspects when obtaining evidence?
Search and Seizure
Search:
“Something that infringes one’s reasonable expectation of privacy”
Seizure:
“The taking of a substance thing belonging to, or in care and control of persona by public authority”
T or F: Reasonable searches and seizures are accepted as a valid social society mechanism
True
“Everyone has the right to be secure against reasonable search and seizure”
Requires that unjust searches do not occur.
- Accomplished through pre-judicial authority
Search warrants provide . . .
- Judicial review and authority
- No warrant= search unreasonable
3, Prosecution must prove that the search is not unreasonable
Expectations to pre-authorized search warrant
- Incident to arrest and investigative detention
- Consent and abandonment
- Plain view doctrine
- Exigent circumstancnces
Incident to arrest and investigative detention:
May search person and immediate vicinity (arrest/seize) if the search is conducted (reasonable manner).
Consent/abandonment:
Persona has reasonable expectation (privacy) in relation (entity) to be searched
Or The property has been (abandoned.
Plain view doctrine:
When conducting a lawful search and if one crime/evidence is in plain view (seize)
Exigent circumstances:
If the court finds circumstances existed (required immediate) action (ensure safety)
- Evidence that isn’t feasible has to obtain judge authorization
T or F: crime scene searches are intrusive
True
T or F: searches are methodological and systematic
True
Search team members must do the following when performing a search . . .
- What method to use
- How (conduct the search)
- How (manage evidence found)
- Mark items (without touching/altering)
- Alert search leader
What are the 6 search methods?
- Strip
- Grid
- Link
- Zone
- Wheel
- Spiral
Strip method is also referred to as . . .
“Line method”
Strip method:
Search in strips (2 by 4 wide)
- Multiple searches (form line where strips overlap)
1. Supervised (search leader)
2. Search (left to right)
3. Move (same pace)
What is type of scene is the strip method best used for?
Outdoor scenes
Grid method is also referred to as . . .
“Double strip” or “Double line method”
Grid method:
- Line search in one direction, change at a 90-degree angle, and search again
- 2 searchers, line of searchers
What are the pros and cons of the Grid method?
Pro: scene searched twice
- Not likely to miss any evidence
Con: Time consuming
The link method is based on what theory?
Linkage theory
What is the most common search method?
Link method
Link method:
One thing influences/determines (process and outcome of another)
- Not Geometric (based on findings, observation, and logic)
- Probability (based on crime, evidence likely found in a particular location)
Zone method:
Allows certain zones (prioritized)
- Best for scenes within defined zones.
- May utilize (other search methods for each zone)
Wheel method is also referred to as . . .
“Ray” or “Pie” method
Wheel method:
Search critical points and extend outward in straight lines.
- Not good in large scenes
Spriral method:
Inward: start (outer boundary) and circle towards the critical point
Vs.
Outward: Start at a critical point and extend outward.
Searcher traces regular pattern (fixed diameter)
T or F: spiral method is best used for scenes without barriers
True
What are the five steps of a vehicle search?
- Search interior
- Begin searching in segments (look for fingerprints)
- Research segments (search for evidence)
- Search trunk and hood
- Undercarriage searched
- Generally reserved in instances where vehicle was in an accident.
