Intro To Criminal Investigation Flashcards
What is the search for the truth
- Justice must be served
- victims deserve closure
- the good people must be protected
- criminals must suffer the consequences for their actions
- innocence or guilt is proven
- must be good of all prejudices
Criminal investigators are more concerned with…
Reconstruction of the past
What are some traits of a successful investigator
- able to recognize criminal activity
- resourceful
- curious and inquisitive
- good observational senses
- unbiased and objective
- able to make friends and secures cooperation from others
- self controlled and tactful
- working knowledge of law
- persistent and drive to work
What are the priorities in criminal investigation
- Proceed to scene safely
- Render aid
- Make the scene safe
- Find out what happen
- Effect the arrest
- Preserve and/or recover evidence
- Gather information
- Record the crime scene
While trying to preserve the scene should we destroy or change anything
No
While trying to preserve the scene should we add material that may be misleading
No
What should we consider when trying to preserve the scene
Trace evidence
While trying to preserve the scene should be move items
No, unless it is absolutely necessary
If we are processing the scene what should we do?
Identify the location and document the location before the evidence is recovered
Should we preserve blood and other bodily fluids
Yes
Should we allow victims, relatives, or others to clean up or put things back in order?
No, not until the investigation is complete.
When dealing with victims and all parties involved we should be…
Sensitive and use tact when explaining things
What should you do at YOUR crime scene
Document and keep precise records. Like arrival times, evidence recovered times, departure times
What kind of misconceptions do people have of The job
They believe what they see on television
What should you include in your scene diagrams?
- All essential objects
- include crucial distances
- where items were found and recovered
- path of suspects
What is Modus operandi (MO)
A particular way or method of doing something
How culprits go about doing their business
What is prima facie evidence
Evidence that is sufficient on its face value to establish a given fact
What is an interview?
Officer controlled conversation with a victim, witness, or anyone with information about the case
What are some general rules of interviewing
- try to interview people separately
- try to interview victim/complainant first, then eyewitness, then indirect witness, hostile witness, then suspect
- know difference between interview and interrogation when questioning
- consider persons emotional behavior (are they sober, rational, serious, consistent in their recollection
- give priority to those emotionally distraught
- motivate person to cooperate
- use good communication skills
- build rapport
An interrogation is
Officer dominated, accusatory exchange with the suspect
Deception can be used in interrogations
Interrogations are recorded
BEFORE any interrogation or interview what must be done
Read their Miranda Warning rights
What are the primary methods of documentation
Crime scene diagram or sketch
Photos
Reports and note taking
Video
A first responding officer should possess an understanding of what
The investigative process
Where can blood evidence be found
At the crime scene
On the victim
On the suspect
On a weapon
What are some factors that affect a search for evidence
Terrain
Environment
Size of the object
Exigency
After arriving on scene, what should the first responding officer do
Make the scene safe
What is the difference between an interview and an interrogation
An interview is an officer controlled conversation with a victim or witness
An interrogation is officer dominated accusatory exchange with the suspect
What are the four types of fingerprints
Patent
Plastic
Latent
Inked (not found at scene)
Criminal investigators are concerned with the reconstruction of what?
Past
What services does the forensic biology lab provide?
Biological screening (blood, semen, saliva)
DNA (parentage, crime scene, CODIS)
What services does the Forensic Biology lab NOT provide
ABO blood typing
Civil parentage testing
DNA testing for physical characteristics
Mitochondrial DNA analysis
Toxicology/STD testing
What is parentage Testing (paternity testing)
Determining if a man is the biological father from
- sex assault
- sex with a minor
- incest
Other types of parentage testing
- kidnapping
- missing persons
- unidentified human remains
What are some sources of biological evidence at crime scenes
Blood Semen Saliva Skin cells Hair Urine/feces Tissue/bone/teeth
What can we get DNA from during sexual assault evidence cases
Clothing
Condoms/tampon/sanitary napkin
Tissues/ paper towels
Bedsheets/ blankets
Objects used to penetrate
Where can we get DNA evidence from in burglary and robbery cases
Cans/bottles/cups/straws Cigarette butts Weapons Tools Duct tape / zip ties Clothing Items left behind Blood like substances Touch DNA from interior door knobs and other surfaces
What kind of DNA evidence can we get from UEMV and UCPV cases
Blood like substances inside the vehicle
Steering wheel
Gear shifter
Interior door handle
Cans/bottles/cups/straws
Left objects / clothing
Cigarette butts
What does CODIS stand for
Combined DNA Index System
DNA database maintained by FBI
Purpose is to provide investigative leads
Exist at both state and national level
Who qualifies for CODIS in Hawaii
Convicted offenders class A,B, C felons
Persons convicted of, pleads no contest to, obtained a DAG, found not guilty by reason of insanity
When collecting biological evidence what should we do?
- Wear gloves
- recover entire items when possible
- swab when recovery of entire item is not possible
- protect evidence from contamination
- package biological evidence in paper whenever possible (dry wet evidence before submitting it into evidence room)
- protect DNA evidence from harsh environmental conditions.
DNA can be found in which of the following
A) blood
B) semen
C) saliva
D) all the above
D) all the above
When collecting Biological evidence you should:
A) package the evidence in a plastic bag
B) wear gloves
C) use bare hands to recover evidence
D) store evidence in your vehicle
B) wear gloves
What services does firearm and tool mark unit provides
- identify and test fire firearms for operability
- Identify and test fire ammunition
- comparison of bullets and cartridge cases
- distance determination
- serial number restoration
- tool mark comparisons
What is the purpose of test firing of firearms
Identify and test fire firearms for operability, including modified starter pistols, flare guns, sound suppressors, pellet/BB gun, electric gun devices
What are the legal barrel lengths
For a rifle is 16 inches minimum
For shotgun is 18 inches minimum
What are some collection and preservation of FIREARM evidence
Do NOT use tap to indicate firearm is safe
Do NOT wedge evidence tags, pen caps, etc
Note condition of firearm when recovered
What are some collection and preservations of AMMUNITION
Do NOT use tape or sticker to label the cartridge or to keep them together
Package rimfire ammunition so that it will not discharge unintentionally
Why do we performs tool mark comparison
Performed to determine if a particular tool was responsible for making a tool mark
What is trace evidence
Small, microscopic, forms of physical evidence used to associate victims, suspects, objects, and crime scene
What are some methods of transfer for trace evidence
- primary transfer: Fiber or hair transferred by DIRECT CONTACT
- secondary transfer: fiber or hair transferred by way of an intermediate surface to another
Person—->chair——>other person
When collecting samples what should we do
Collect a standard or reference sample
What are some types of trace evidence
Hair Fiber Glass Paint Fireworks Fire debris Gunshot residue
What are some collection methods
Hand picking (gloves or tweezers)
Cellophane tape
Post-it notes
Firework evidence
Can be extremely dangerous so submit 3 into evidence and contact SSD to destroy the rest
What is the nature of GSR
Microscopic metal particles that can be wiped or washed off
Can be transferred
Remains and hands for 4-6hours
GSR should be collected as soon as possible
95-100% Accuracy in Matching
● Blood reference sample
● Buccal reference sample
● Fresh tissue (newly deceased, aborted fetuses)
50-95% matching
● Blood/Semen/Saliva stains on clothing or crime scenes ● Vaginal/Oral swabs from SATC kit ● Envelope flaps/Stamps ● Cigarette Butts ● Beer cans/bottles ● Condoms/tampons ● Toothbrushes/razors
5-50% matching
● Anal swabs from SATC kit
● Fingernail/ scrapings
● Soda cans/ gum - sugar impairs ability
● Touch evidence - prolonged contact with the user increases chances
0-5% matching
● Single Hairs
● Urine/feces
● Liquid blood stored at room temperature
● Decomposed/cremated remains
What is a composite drawing?
Just a likeness of a person, it IS NOT exact.
What are 7 basic facial characteristics used to do a sketch?
● Headshape ● Hair style ● Ears ● Eyebrows ● Eyes ● Nose ● Mouth NOTE: 4 or more are required!
People can be classified generally by skull structure between which 3 races?
Caucasoid,
Negroid
Mongoloid
What are the 3 ways to make measurements within a crime scene diagram/sketch?
● Rectangular Coordinates (indoor scenes, right angles, good for square or rectangular shapes)
● Baseline Coordinates (large outdoor scenes with items of interest scattered or where limited fixed objects are available)
● Triangulation Technique (mainly for outdoor scenes where right angles are not available, measurements made from two fixed points, and the distance is measured to complete a triangle)
What are QUESTIONABLE DOCUMENTS
any object/written document that is suspected of not being true Examples:
● robbery notes
● threatening/harassment letters or notes
● forged/counterfeit checks
● forged/counterfeit credit cards
● forged/counterfeit receipts
GSR Procedure
Use gloves
Start at the web area and work out toward the fingers
Sample the entire palm
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