Inquests, Inquiries and Novel Techniques Flashcards
What is an inquest?
A public hearing conducted by a coroner before a jury of five community members to inform the public about the circumstances of a death
Not binding and can be mandatory or discretionary.
What are the criteria for a mandatory inquest?
- Death occurs on the job at a construction site, mine, pit, or quarry
- Death occurs while a person is in custody or being detained
- Death due to injury sustained or event in custody involving police force
- Death of a child as a result of a criminal act by a custodian (if certain conditions met)
- Death while physically restrained in a psychiatric facility, hospital, or secure treatment program
These inquests are legally required.
What can lead to a discretionary inquest?
- Sufficient information from a death investigation
- Desire for an open and full hearing of the death circumstances
- Potential for useful recommendations from a jury to prevent further deaths
These inquests are at the discretion of the coroner.
What is a public inquiry?
A tribunal of inquiry established by government to examine an issue of public concern
Typically named after the person leading the inquiry.
What was the focus of the Campbell Inquiry?
Review of the investigation of crimes committed by Paul Bernardo
Released in June 1996.
What did the Kaufman Report address?
- Wrongful arrest and conviction of Guy Paul Morin
- Issues of opinion evidence and tunnel vision
- Limitations on forensic evidence must be acknowledged
- Forensic material retention for replicate testing
- Scientists should aim to challenge hypotheses
- Defence access to forensic experts
- Training for scientists in testifying
Released in April 1998.
What was the Goudge Inquiry focused on?
The delivery of pediatric forensic pathology services to the Ontario Coroner’s Office and Canadian criminal justice system
Examined Dr. Charles Smith’s work and its implications.
What was the result of the FRSC science in cad report?
- Description of current state of forensic science in Canada
- Summary of major challenges and opportunities
- Recommendations for strengthening forensic science
Known as the Hart House Report, discussed in May 2012.
What is forensic genetic genealogy?
A technique that develops a DNA profile to search for potential relatives using a DNA ancestry database
Helped identify the murderer of Christine Jessup in 1984.
What is the process for utilizing forensic genetic genealogy?
- DNA profile uploaded to ancestry database
- Search for matching or related DNA
- Genealogists build family trees to identify offenders
Investigators prioritize close-contact murders and those involving sexual assault.
What is Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)?
A non-destructive method to detect buried items quickly and precisely
Requires a trained operator to interpret data.
How does GPR compare to a metal detector?
- GPR is more expensive ($15,000 vs $1,000)
- GPR works at greater depths (1 metre vs 30 cm)
- GPR covers more ground faster and accurately
- GPR requires trained operators
GPR is less portable than metal detectors.
What limitations does GPR have?
- Cannot prove the existence of a grave
- Cannot confirm the presence or absence of human remains
- Slow process affected by weather
Helps pinpoint locations for further analysis.
What are the advantages of Virtual Reality (VR) training for CSI?
- Better retention and higher scores
- Enhanced learning experience
- Greater engagement than video
- Lower cost than traditional e-learning
- Various delivery formats
Requires a headset and enhances a fictional reality.
What is Augmented Reality (AR) in the context of police work?
A system that streams video from police body cameras to experts for real-time guidance
Experts can annotate scenes for officers using devices like Google Glass.
