Unit 1 Forensics Content

Question 1

Every contact leaves a trace

Answer 1

Locard’s Principle of Exchange

Question 2

indirect evidence that can be used to imply a fact, but does not directly prove it

Answer 2

circumstantial evidence

Question 3

includes eyewitness accounts and descriptions.
First hand acount/observations

Answer 3

direct evidence

Question 4

What is the importance of separating witnessess at a crime scene?

Answer 4

prevent witnesses from colluding (talking) with eachother

Question 5

What are the proper steps to collecting evidence?

Answer 5

document the location the evidence was found
correct packaging of evidence
maintain proper chain of custody

Question 6

A crime scene sketch should include what components?

Answer 6

• A scale for distance
• A North Direction
• Date and Location of Crime Scene
• Two fixed points for evidence

Question 7

documentation or paper trail showing custody, control, transfer and analysis of everyone who comes in contact with the specimens

Answer 7

Chain of Custody

Question 8

Why is chain of Custody needed in Forensics?

Answer 8

evidence is needed in a courtroom. evidence’s autenticity must be preserved.

Question 9

governs the admissibility of expert witness testimony in federal US law. The ruling established a more comprehensive approach to scientific expert testimony admissibility than the previous “ruling”

Answer 9

Daubert Ruling

Question 10

legal test used in some US state courts to determine if scientific evidence or expert testimony is admissible in court

Answer 10

Frye Standard

Question 11

A folded piece of paper used to hold trace evidence

Answer 11

bindle

Question 12

Actual tangible evidence that can be touched and picked up that is relevant to the case

Answer 12

physical evidence

Question 13

materials or substances consists of bodily fluids and tissues
Evidence from an organic source human, plant or animal

Answer 13

biological evidence

Question 14

What is the job/responsibilites of the first responder?

Answer 14

-they check to make sure no one at the scene needs medical attention
-create a barrier with crime scene tape
-officer is placed at entry points to log and control who enters and exits the scene

Question 16

What are the 7s’ of a crime scene

Answer 16

1. Securing the Scene
2. Separating the Witnesses
3. Scanning the Scene
4. Seeing the Scene
5. Sketching the Scene
6. Searching for Evidence
7. Securing and Collecting Evidence

Question 17

When packaging evidence, which procedures should be followed?

Answer 17

-evidence must be dried if wet
-evidence must be placed in a bindle it really small
-evidence must include a signiture from the person who recovered it
-evidence tape must be used to seal and protect the contents of the container

Question 18

initial crime scene location

Answer 18

primary

Question 19

second crime scene location

Answer 19

secondary

Question 20

any crime scene after the secondary

Answer 20

tertiary

Question 21

Who would you find as a possilbe member of the crime scene investigative team?

Answer 21

-police officer
-forensic photographer
-detective
-medical examiner

Question 22

What actions are taken while “seeing the scene”?

Answer 22

evidence is marked and photographed

Question 23

Which CSI team is responsible for declaring the cause of death when a homicide occurs ?

Answer 23

medical examiner

Question 24

a forensic scientist’s job is to provide ___.

Answer 24

fact

Question 25

What is the best mental state for observing?

Answer 25

relaxed

Question 26

How can we, as foreniscs scientist, become better obervers?

Answer 26

-pay attention to detail
-look at the obvious and not-so-obvious
-take notes
-take photographs
-observe everything
-look at the entire scene
-train your brain

Question 27

scientific study of crime scene evidence (application of science to the law)

Answer 27

Forensics

Question 28

What type of evidence was Casey Anthony aquitted on?

Answer 28

circumstantial

Question 29

What is the problem with trusting eyewitnesses at a crime scene?

Answer 29

under stress a person’s brain will naturally pull from thier subconscious to fill in missing information.

Question 30

Preservation of evidence requires investigators to ___

Answer 30

capture and package the evidence in the same condition that it is found

Question 31

What are the 4 search patterns?

Answer 31

-zone
-spiral
-grid
- line