Role of the CSI

Question 1

when was DNA first used to identify a murder suspect

Answer 1

• august 1987
• in england
• colin pitchfork

Question 2

what is the definition of forensic science

Answer 2

application of science to law

Question 3

what does the criminal code do

Answer 3

defines criminal acts and procedures in canada

Question 4

what is common law

Answer 4

law derived from judicial decisions of courts and similar tribunals

Question 5

what is locards exchange principle

Answer 5

• every contact leaves a trace
• when 2 items come into contact, there will always be an exchange

Question 6

what is the founding concept in forensic science

Answer 6

locards exchange principle

Question 7

what is a crime scene

Answer 7

any physical scene that may provide evidence of a crime

Question 8

define crime scene evidence

Answer 8

• physical items (often called exhibits)
• recovered at or in relation to a crime scene
• these exhibits may provide a connection/ relationship/ association between people/ objects

Question 9

what are possible effects of missed/ misinterpreted evidence

Answer 9

• could result in no one being charged, or the wrong person being charged
• the administration of justice being brought into disrepute

Question 10

crime scene investigation is a _____ of an investigation

Answer 10

key part

Question 11

provide 2 examples of forensic errors in ontario

Answer 11

1. Brenda Waudby wrongfully convicted of murdering her daughter, hair evidence was retained during an autopsy and not submitted for DNA testing Peterborough
2. Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka serial killer investigation “missed” video tapes in search of house led to a 12 year sentence St Catherines

Question 12

what is a brief description of the purpose of a crime scene investigation

Answer 12

• attempts to generate investigative leads
• requires the ability to recognize and properly collect evidence
• should deterine the full extent of a crime scene in order to establish boundaries

Question 13

what is the forensic indentification (crime scene) services

Answer 13

• support service
• respond as requested, to all levels/ types of occurrences
• response level is dictated by individual police service policy and procedure

Question 14

what are the responsibilities of a crime scene examiner

Answer 14

• recording, documenting and examining the scene
• the collection and preservation of evidence
• submitting exhibits for further examination/processing (by them or CFS)
• testifying in court
• carrying out their role independently and without tunnel vision
• being a support service to front line officers and investigators

Question 15

where must all FIOs train

Answer 15

• ontario police college (aylmer), or
• canadian police college (ottawa)

Question 16

police colleges are restricted to who

Answer 16

members of police services

Question 17

can civilians be forensic members in ontario

Answer 17

• yes
• the numbers of civilians ahve grown in the past 5-10 years

Question 18

what does FIO stand for

Answer 18

forensic identification officer

Question 19

what does FIA stand for

Answer 19

forensic identification assistant

Question 20

what does SOCO stand for

Answer 20

scenes of crime officer

Question 21

what does FSA stand for

Answer 21

forensic services assistant

Question 22

what does SCS stand for

Answer 22

scenes of crime specialist

Question 23

what does CSST stand for

Answer 23

crime scene support technician

Question 24

what is the future of crime scene investigations for civilians

Answer 24

• role for civilans is growing
• eventually they could take on roles/duties of FIO in ontario
• may work as equals or replace uniform members

Question 25

should off days be marked in a notebook for csi

Answer 25

• every day must have an entry
• days off can be noted as “rest days” or “court” “vacation” etc

Question 26

when should notes begin

Answer 26

as soon as possibe after an assignment or call to a scene

Question 27

Investigative notes are a permanent written record of:

Answer 27

• the facts of an investigation
• your actions in an investigation
• an important tool to assist you in providing accurate and factual info to an investigation

Question 28

a notebook is what kind of document

Answer 28

• an official, legal document
• the property of the organization that employs the individual

Question 29

what does the notebook help you with

Answer 29

• remember the details of the event
• can help refresh you memory on the specifics
• helps to overcome the lapses in memory associated w the time lag between investigation and court (can take years)

Question 30

true/false all provinces and territories of Canada adhere to the common law system

Answer 30

true

Question 31

who created locard’s exchange principle

Answer 31

Dr Edmond Locard, Lyon France