Physical Evidence

Question 1

What are the three types of evidence?

Answer 1

Testimonial
Documentary
Physical

Question 2

What is Physical Evidence?

Answer 2

Its more reliable then eyewitness testimony and is an important investigative aid to the investigator
A. Also known as “real evidence”
B. Evidence in form of material objects
C. Ex. Weapons, tools, fingerprints
D. Is real, tangible, has form and mass, can be visible or invisible
E. Helps establish the elements of the crime/reconstruct the crime or crime scene, associate or dissociate defendants with crimes, can corroborate or disprove statements and can establish venue

Question 3

What is testimonial evidence?

Answer 3

Statement of a witness in court, usually under oath and offered as evidence of stated truth.

Question 4

what is Documentary evidence?

Answer 4

Evidence written rather than oral form
Admissibility of a document depends on the proof of the authenticity and the purpose for which it is being offered in evidence.

Question 5

What is Locard’s exchange principle?

Answer 5

No one can enter an environment without leaving some trace of his or her presence and without carrying away some trace of that environment.

Question 6

What is the evidence triangle?

Answer 6

Scene
Suspect
Victim
Physical evidence is in the center of the triangle.

Question 7

Can Testimonial Evidence become physical or documentary evidence?

Answer 7

Yes.

Question 8

Can Documentary evidence be something written on a mirror with lipstick or a contract??

Answer 8

Yes.

Question 9

Can documentary evidence become physical evidence?

Answer 9

Yes.

Question 10

What are the three views of a scene/evidence photographs should contain?

Answer 10

Overall or distant shot
Intermediate shot
Close-up shot

Question 11

What are the proper methods of evidence documentation?

Answer 11

Written or recorded notes
Photographs
Sketches
Measurements

Question 12

What are the basic stages for a crime scene search?

Answer 12

Preparation
Approach to the scene
Basic premises

Question 13

What are the components of documents?

Answer 13

Paper
Ink
Writing instruments

Question 14

What does writing instruments do?

Answer 14

Puts ink to paper. (by impact if its a typewriter)

Question 15

Should you attempt to repair any damages on a document if that is the way it was found?

Answer 15

No, preserve the document as you fount it.

Question 16

What can handwriting be affected by?

Answer 16

Health, drugs, alcohol, age

Question 17

What is a request exemplar (handwriting)?

Answer 17

Executed at the request and in the presence of the investigator under controlled conditions.

Question 18

What are non-request exemplars (handwriting)?

Answer 18

Individuals writing that exist as the result of normal day to day business and personal transactions conducted over a period of time.