Physical Evidence Flashcards
What are examples of “Impression” evidence?
- Fabric Patterns
- Tool Marks
- Footwear
- Bite Marks
What are the 3 types of evidence?
- Testimonial (Statements)
- Documentary (Written)
- Physical (Real)
What are examples of “Trace” evidence?
- Hair/Fibers
- Paint
- GSR
What is the basis for Locard Exchange Principle?
Everything leaves a trace
What are the 3 parts to the “Evidence Triangle”?
- Scene
- Suspect
- Victim
What is the difference between Class and Individual characteristics?
Class - shared by similar objects
Individual - demonstrates “uniqueness of individuality”
What are the characteristics of Physical Evidence?
- Real
- Tangible
- Form/Mass
- Visible/Invisible
What are the different methods of evidence documentation?
- Notes
- Photographs
- Sketches
What are the 3 main perspective photographs taken?
- Overall
- Intermediate
- Close-up
What is the purpose of sketches?
Provides a 2-dimensional record of the crime and/or search scene
What should be included in the Title Block of the sketch?
- Agency Case No., Title, or Offense
- Date sketch was drawn
- Location
- Name of sketcher/assistants
What are the 4 types of drawings?
- Locality Drawing
- Area Drawing
- Detailed Drawing
- Cross Projection
What are the methods of measurement?
- Baseline
- Rectangular Coordinate
- Triangulation
What are the 3 basic stages to the Crime Scene Search?
- Preparation
- Approach
- Basic Premises
What are the major assignments/duty positions in a Crime Scene Search?
- Team Leader
- Photographer
- Sketcher
- Evidence Custodian
- Evidence Recovery
- Specialists
What is the organizational state to plan for the entire search?
Preliminary Survey of the Scene
What are the different types of search patterns?
- Strip/Lane
- Grid
- Zone/Sector
- Spiral
- Counter/Clockwise
What are the stages of a search?
- Documentation
- Search
- Record and Collect
- Final Survey
- Release of Scene
What is the “goal” of collecting evidence?
Preserve evidence to protect it from change
How should you package clothing when collecting?
Collect the entire garment if possible, allow to air-dry on plastic hanger over a clean collection paper if wet, place in porous container
How should blood and other bodily fluids be collected?
Collected in a clean, unused plastic container and transported back to evidence, not to exceed 2 hours in its sealed container.
What are the 3 types of prints?
- True “Latent”
- Visible Latent
- Plastic Print
What is the Chain of Custody considered?
A “life history” of the item from the time it was discovered until its no longer needed
Who needs to be on the Chain of Custody form?
Everyone who has taken possession of the item
What form is needed to run laboratory analysis on evidence?
Letter of Transmittal
What should be on the Letter of Transmittal?
- Investigators (Name/Agency/Contact info)
- Case identifiers
- Brief description of case
- All people involved
- Inventory of items contained
- The types of examinations you wish to be done
- Return information for results
Where does the rough sketch take place? What needs to be on it?
At the scene; Title Block, North arrow, Annotation
What type of evidence is collected first?
Fragile
What is the procedure for packing evidence?
- Document
- Mark
- Place in container
- Seal it
