l5 major case investigation Flashcards
what is the L.O.S.E.R principle?
Listen, Observe, Search, Evaluate, Record
Explain each letter of the L.O.S.E.R principle
Listen- determine who you have to listen to
Observe- attentive to surroundings
Search- determine best method
Evaluate- ask questions
Record- may be years before case gets to court
what is the role of major case manager?
overlooks entire case, sets team meetings, ensures team is not tunnel visioned
what is the role of the file coordinator?
data input
what is the role of lead investigator?
manages the scene and everyone working on it
what notable case emphasized the need for major case management? why?
Paul Bernardo, believe he slipped through the cracks multiple times because of lack of communication, organization and management
lack of major case management has the risk of not recognizing…?
patterns and links of serial killers
what are the 6 types of major cases?
- homocides
- sexual assault
- non-familial abductions
- missing persons indicating foul play
- human remains
- criminal harassment
t/f any case can be considered a major case if deemed so by the Major Case Management Executive Board
true
Major case identification systems are useful for..?
early detection and linkages
what is ViCLAS? what is it used for?
Violent Crime Linkage system, compare violent crimes through victimology and offender description
purpose of center of forensic sciences?
scientific lab services
purpose of the office of chief coroner?
storage of all death reports investigated by coroners in Ontario
what is the DNA data bank?
National storage of DNA profiles for unknown samples and offenders
What is the Canadian Police Information Center?
national storage of all crime-related data
What is Power Case?
major case management software, centralized and secure data storage
role of serial predatory crime investigator
Review multi and single jurisdiction investigation of linked major cases
what is the Ontario Sex Offender Registry?
convicted offenders report to and supply police with current address and change of address
what is another term for the Ontario Sex Offender Registry?
Christopher’s Law
role of forensic identification officers?
crime scene work, collect evidence, record
role of forensic pathologist?
autopsies
role of forensic odontology?
identification using teeth, not as reliable
role of forensic anthropology
bones
role of forensic entomology?
bugs, used for estimated time of death
what is a cause of death?
disease/injury responsible for lethal sequence of events
what is manner of death?
explains how cause of death arose
what is a mechanism of death?
process (biolochemical/physiological) leading to death
primary way of pronouncing death
presence/absence of a heartbeat
what are the three stages to look for when determining the time of death?
rigor mortis, livor mortis, algor mortis
explain rigor, livor, and algor mortis
rigor mortis- stiffening of body (4hr;24-36hr)
livor mortis-settling (mins; 36hr) (fixed at 12h)
algor mortis- cooling (variable)
how else is livor mortis useful other than determining time of death
blood settles to lowest point of body depending on how body is positioned; helpful to determine if body was moved
role of coroners?
do not determine civil/criminal responsibility, rather make recommendations to prevent future deaths and improve public safety
what is the difference between a medical examiner and a coroner?
depending on the location, they are essentially the same but coroners are medical doctors, whereas medical examiners do not have to be doctors
t/f corners in Ontario are medical doctors with specialized training in death investigation
true
difference between coroners and pathologists?
coroners determine cause of death, pathologists conduct autopsies
physician who often practices in a legal context
pathologist
t/f coroners order autopsies
true
what are the main parts of a death investigation?
Certification and investigation
what are the steps of certification and investigation in death investigations?
Certification
-Identify person
-cause+manner of death
investigation
-collection of samples
-timing, mechanism, contributing factors
-correlation of evidence
what are the five manners of death?
Natural, Accident, Suicide, Homocide, Undetermined
postmortem examination
examine body to help determine cause of death
internal and external examination includes what 3 important steps?
-incision
-removal of skull cap
-major organs are examined
what are the three main natural causes of death?
-ischemia (reduced blood flow)
-hemorrhage (bleeding)
-infection (bacterial, viral)
what are the four main categories of drugs and alcohol for causes of death?
alcohol, street drugs, over the counter drugs, prescription drugs
what are the four main categories of trauma?
mechaical, thermal, chemical, electrical
sharp force produces what type of wounds?
incised wounds
blunt force trauma produces what type of wound?
lacerations
sign of carbon monoxide poisoning
bright red blood
sign of exposure to hydrogen sulfide
green brain
sign of methemoglobin poisoning
chocolate brown blood
sign of chronic arsenic or thallium poisoning
hair falling out
sign of gadolinium poisoning
blue skin
sign of cocaine and meth use
changes the shape of the heart
what are the two types of thermal trauma
hyperthermia- excessive heat
hypothermia- excessive cold
what are the two types of electrical trauma?
ventricular fibrillation
defibrillatory
what is ventricular fibrillation electrical trauma?
low voltage
what is defibrillatory electrical trauma?
higher voltages, electrical burns
what is asphyxias?
interruption of oxygen to the brain
what are 3 types of asphyxias?
chemical and thermal
drowning
strangulation (manual or ligature)
Hyoid bone/cornu of thyroid cartilage & hemorrhaging around fracture site
autopsy findings of asphyxias
