Module 14 Flashcards
any solid, semi solid or liquid materials that may aid in determining the truth during the investigation
Physical evidence
How does physical evidence assist in solving cases?
assists the investigator by supporting or confirming the facts upon which a reasonable and strong suspicion is based.
Objects or substances which are essential parts of the body of crime.
Corpus Delicti
Evidence which links the suspects to the crime scene or offense (i.e. fingerprints and footprints)
Associative Evidence
A type of physical evidence that is small and transient, but measurable.
Tracing evidence
can be picked-up at the crime scene or any other location and transported.
Movable evidence
cannot be readily removed from the crime scene because of its size, shape or make-up.
Fixed or immovable evidence
Sources of Physical evidence (3)
The scene of the crime
The victim
The suspect and his/her surroundings
Evidence that has been collected must be safeguarded until the time that the case goes to court. The total accounting of evidence
Chain of Custody
If it is not properly maintained, an item of evidence may be……in court.
Inadmissable
ensures continuous accountability, is defined as being made up of all those who have custody of the evidence since its acquisition by a police agency. It begins when the item is collected and is maintained until it is disposed of.
Chain of custody
Why must evidence be protected
To avoid or prevent destruction, mutilation, contamination and/or alteration of physical evidence.
Evidence must be protected because it is…
- To preserve and present physical evidence in similar condition when they were found.
Rules to be observed in protecting physical evidence
All unauthorized persons should be excluded from the crime scene
Rules to be followed to protect the evidence
Number of persons permitted to enter the crime scene should be kept to a minimum
