INV04 Scene Inv

Question 1

Forensic Science Concept and terms:

Answer 1

Every contact leaves a trace

Question 2

Definitions: ADMISSIBLE =

Answer 2

Evidence that is allowable and accepted by the court

Question 3

Definitions: BIOLOGICAL =

Answer 3

(bio) material - material directly linked to a person.

Question 4

Examples of BIO MATERIAL = Body Fluids =

Answer 4

1. Body Fluids = Blood, Semen, Saliva and mucus

Question 5

Examples of BIO MATERIAL = Trace Bio =

Answer 5

2. Epithelial cells (skin/mouth) transferred through contact

Question 6

Examples of BIO MATERIAL = Hairs =

Answer 6

3. hair shaft only, hair and root

Question 7

Examples of BIO MATERIAL = Toxicology =

Answer 7

4. drugs and alcohol in blood, urine, hair

Question 8

Definitions: BLOODSTAIN =

Answer 8

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) can reveal crime scene reconstruction revealing vital info about an assault.

Question 9

Definitions: CHAIN OF EVIDENCE =

Answer 9

A record of all persons who have had custody of the exhibit. From its discovery to its presentation in court and its security in Police records.

Question 10

Definitions: COLD ZONE =

Answer 10

An area in the outer cordon of a serious crime scene investigation. Used for briefings, meals, scene guard and maintaining scene records

Question 11

Definitions: CONTAMINATION =

Answer 11

Occurs when an exhibit receives material added to it post incident. Can occur during seizure, packaging and storage

Question 12

Definitions: CONTROL SAMPLE =

Answer 12

Sample of material from a known origin that can be compared with material being examined - Reference sample

Question 13

Definitions: CROSS CONTAMINATION =

Answer 13

Occurs through exchange of traces of forensic material between the offender, the Crime Scene, the victim and other people
E.g Victim and suspect transported in same vehicle - Cross Contamination could also occur though ‘secondary transfer’

Question 14

Definitions: DEGRADE =

Answer 14

Overtime, all bio material will degrade naturally

E.g decomposition of a body

Question 15

Definitions: DETERIORATE =

Answer 15

Forensic evidence will deteriorate under certain conditions

E.g Bloodstain on shoe packaged in warm/humid conditions may generate mould growth. Or bloodstain exposed to sunlight

Question 16

Definitions: DNA =

Answer 16

Deoxyribonucleic Acid, genetic material contained within all living things.
Minimum standard for collection is face mask and gloves.

Question 17

Definitions: DNA PROFILE =

Answer 17

Stored on National DNA database contains sample from convicted offenders and volunteers.
DNA is also stored on the crime database which contains DNA profiles from unsolved crimes in NZ

Question 18

Definitions: ELIMINATION SAMPLES =

Answer 18

Refers to samples taken from people who are not connected to the offence but may have come in contact with the crime scene

Question 19

Definitions: ENTOMOLOGICAL SAMPLES =

Answer 19

Entomology the study of insects. Samples can assist with objective scientific evidence; insect samples from a body can assist with estimations of death, samples from cannabis plants can assist with identifying the region of origin of the plant material

Question 20

Definitions: FORENSIC MATERIAL =

Answer 20

May be of biological or physical nature. To be presented as evidence forensic material must be analysed to provide objective and scientific data, determining its relevance to the investigation

Question 21

Definitions: GOLDEN HOUR =

Answer 21

Is the term for the period immediately following the commission of a crime when the material is abundant and readily available to Police.

Question 22

Positive action in the Golden hour minimises the attrition of material and maximises the chance of securing material that will be admissible in court. Positive Action looks like:

Answer 22

• Identify scenes, secure, assess and commence log
• preserve physical evidence
• prevent contamination of victims, scenes, witnesses and suspects

Question 23

Definitions: HOT ZONE =

Answer 23

The hot zone is the part of the scene that requires examination and evidence protection. It is closely controlled by the OC Scene. Exhibits are identified and packaged in the HOT ZONE.

Question 24

Definitions: IMPRESSIONS =

Answer 24

Evidence of a biological or physical nature left at the crime scene. Key example of ‘every contact leaves a trace’
Impressions should be photographed in situ before an attempt is made to lift it. Specialist collection and packaging is generally required

Question 25

Examples of IMPRESSIONS =

Answer 25

- Footwear impressions in soil - Car tyre on soft mud - Fingerprint on a counter - Fabric impression on a car bumper - A tool mark at a place of forced entry

Question 26

Definitions: INTANGIBLE =

Answer 26

Evidential material relating to an offence. Unable to be touched, not having a physical presence. E.g electronically stored computer data

Question 27

Integrity of evidence is protected by ensuring:

Answer 27

- Access to the crime scene is controlled and documented - Forensic examination is conducted by trained and qualified personnel - The chain of evidence is secure

Question 28

Definitions: LATENT SAMPLE =

Answer 28

Latent means hidden or concealed. Latent is used to describe finger/footprints that are present but are not visible to the human eye. They are revealed through the use of powders/chemicals or special lighting

Question 29

Definitions: ORDER OF EXAMINATION =

Answer 29

Applies to any exhibit where multiple evidence types are present. The preferred sequence of examination or analysis undertaken is determined by the investigative need; which type of analysis is going to be the most evidential value. e. g - a note passed in a robbery may be forwarded to a document examiner before fingerprinting as FP process may destroy indentations. - A firearm located at a homicide scene may be examined for ballistics, fingerpirnts, trace DNA(offender), blood from the victim.

Question 30

Definitions: PERSISTENCE =

Answer 30

Length of time forensic material is able to be detected following a crime. E.g blood material can be affected by the weather or by washing or wiping a surface. Persistence is a key reason why Freeze Control Preserve, prompt and efficient action is necessary at serious crime scenes.

Question 31

Definitions: PHYSICAL EVIDENCE =

Answer 31

Can establish links between things and can provide a link to persons they have associated with.

Question 32

Types of Physical Evidence

Answer 32

- Physical Fit - is it part of a whole - Impressions - footprints, tyre marks - compositions - chemical make up (drugs) - Residue - minute trace material

Question 33

Definitions: PHYSICAL FIT =

Answer 33

The analysis of physical evidence of two or more items or objects to see if they are part of the same item.

Question 34

Definitions: PRIMARY TRANSFER =

Answer 34

The direct transfer of forensic material from one part to another.

Question 35

Definitions: RELEVANCE =

Answer 35

Fundamental principle that relevant evidence is admissible. Forensic evidence provides objective scientific information to confirm the relevance of the evidence

Question 36

Definitions: SECONDARY TRANSFER =

Answer 36

The indirect transfer of forensic material to a third party. Transfer of evidence without direct contact involving three or more subjects. E.g A > B B > C B has transferred material from A to C - Secondary transfer

Question 37

Definitions: SIGNIFICANCE =

Answer 37

The evidential value of a material sample for the evidence collection.

Question 38

Definitions: TANGIBLE =

Answer 38

A real object located in time and space. Perceptible by touch, clear and definite.

Question 39

Definitions: TOXICOLOGY =

Answer 39

Analysis of body samples for alcohol, illicit drugs or poisons. Includes the detection for toxins in the blood, urine hair and fingernails.

Question 40

Definitions: TRACE EVIDENCE =

Answer 40

Microscopic minute samples of evidence. Traces of biological samples and chemical samples left on objects surfaces and persons.

Question 41

Definitions: TRANSFER =

Answer 41

In a forensic context it means the exchange of material traces between the offender, the crime scene and the victim. This can occur during and post incident

Question 42

Definitions: WARM ZONE =

Answer 42

Decontamination Zone - Warm Zone is a transition area where: - Scene examiners put on or take off protective clothing - Scene Examiners access equipment - O/C exhibits receives and records exhibits