Vehicle Examinations Flashcards

1
Q

what are some crimes that vehicles are involved in

A
  • Various violent crimes (homicide, shootings, assaults)
  • Impaired driving
  • Dangerous driving
  • Fail to remain collisions
  • Break and enters
  • Robbery – car jackings
  • Sexual assaults
  • Drug trafficking
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2
Q

what are some examples of evidence that can be found with cars

A
  • Fingerprints, DNA
  • Phones, video
  • Paint transfer
  • Stolen property
  • Weapons
  • Drugs
  • Trace evidence (hair, fibre, gunshot residue aka GSR)
  • Tire tracks, footwear, clothing, etc.
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3
Q

what is the definition of “Motor Vehicle Theft/Possession”

A

someone who steals a motor vehicle

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4
Q

what section of the criminal code is motor vehicle theft/ possession

A

s. 331.1(a) CC

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5
Q

what is the definition of “theft from vehicles”

A

items are taken from either the exterior or interior of vehicle without consent/permission of the owner

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6
Q

what section of the criminal code is theft from vehicles

A

Theft Under $5000, 334(b) CC

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7
Q

what is a crime vehicle

A

a vehicle used/involved in the commission of a crime

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8
Q

what are some offences that a crime vehicle would be used in

A
  • impaired driving
  • fail to remain at an accident
  • fail to stop for police
  • break and enter
  • murder
  • dangerous driving
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9
Q

true/false a passenger may be convicted for possession of stolen motor vehicle

A
  • true
  • if there are enough factors to determine control and knowledge
  • they might be found to be an abettor
  • cause their presence may have the effect of encouraging the theft
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10
Q

is Motor vehicle theft summary of indictment

A

can be either (hybrid)

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11
Q

true/false Theft of motor vehicles is a common occurrence throughout Canada

A

true

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12
Q

vehicle theft costs canadian how much money yearly

A

over 1 billion

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13
Q

a car is stolen every _______ in 2015

A

every 7 minutes

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14
Q

how many stolen cars were reported in 2015

A

78 849

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15
Q

a car is stolen every _______ in 2022 in canada

A

6 minutes

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16
Q

true/false organized crime can be involved in vehicle theft

A

true

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17
Q

what are some reasons why vehicles may be stolen

A
  • Joyriding
  • On sell to unsuspecting customers – false vehicle identification numbers (VINs)
  • Dismantled for parts
  • Used to commit another crime (“crime vehicle”)
  • Sold abroad (illegally)
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18
Q

what do VINs stand for

A

vehicle identification numbers

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19
Q

what does IBC stand for

A

insurance bureau of canada

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20
Q

who releases a list of the top 10 most common stolen vehicles every year

A

insurance bureau of canada (IBC)

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21
Q

what are the most targeted vehicles at the moment

A
  • trucks
  • SUVs
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22
Q

the majority of stolen vehicles are new for what reason

A

because organized crime rings are focusing their efforts on stealing new/luxury vehicles for maximum profit in overseas sales

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23
Q

what are the vehicle recovery rates in ontario

A

45%

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24
Q

what are the vehicle recovery rates in quebec

A

34%

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25
Q

what do the vehicle recovery rates suggest

A

that vehicles were primarily being exported overseas through the Ports or re-vinned and sold domestically to unsuspecting Canadians

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26
Q

what kinds of crimes are theft from vehicles

A
  • crime of opportunity (looking for easy targets, visual)
  • can be organized at times
  • it is an included offence, frequently linked to other crimes (like break and enter)
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27
Q

what are some other possible offences linked to cars

A
  • Theft Under $ 5000/ Theft Over $ 5000
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
  • Possession of Break-in Instrument
  • Mischief Under $ 5000 /Mischief Over $ 5000
  • Tampering with Vehicle Identification Number
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28
Q

what search authorities do we have on vehicles

A
  • immediate area, incident to the arrest
  • inventory of contents when being towed
  • search warrant from CC
  • Wills informed consent
  • consent of the owner
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29
Q

true/false when the theft of a vehicle is reported, it is important for the surrounding area to be looked at

A

true

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30
Q

who will conduct the search of the surrounding area of a vehicle that had been stolen for the presence of potential evidence

A

the responding officer

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31
Q

what kind of evidence will the responding officer look for around a stolen vehicle

A
  • footprint in the snow
  • discarded cigarette butt from suspect watching froma distance
  • evidence not overly common
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32
Q

true/false the number of keys in the possession of the registered owner (RO) is important

A

true

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33
Q

where should stolen vehicles info be entered into

A

CPIC

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34
Q

the level of examination should be ______ with the level of the offence committed

A

proportional

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35
Q

what are major considerations regarding a vehicle examination

A
  • time and resources
  • the level of the offence committed (stolen car vs homicide)
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36
Q

should a stolen car go to the CFS

A

no

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37
Q

should a homicide car go to the CFS

A

yes (maybe, it depends)

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38
Q

what are the 3 main parts of vehicle searches

A
  • preliminary deals with finding any evidence near the vehicle such as shoe prints or DNA (e.g. cigarette butt)
  • exterior includes finding evidence on the exterior of the vehicle such as damage, fingerprints, tool marks, etc.
  • interior finding evidence on the interior of vehicles such as fingerprints, clothing, tools, cell phones, etc.
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39
Q

what is some info to note about the vehicle

A
  • Licence plate number
  • Make and model
  • Colour
  • VIN
  • Year
  • Mileage
  • Condition of vehicle
  • Damage
  • Unique identifiers
  • Registered owner’s name and address
  • Registration and insurance details from documents
  • Contents
  • Status of vehicle – stolen, used in a crime or both
  • Is the car the scene of a crime?
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40
Q

what is a big benefit to vehicles being smaller in size compared with other scene types

A

can allow for a more structured approach to processing

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41
Q

where do we process vehicles

A
  • can be moved from the scene to a secure location for processing w little disturbance of evidence
  • exterior can be processed on scene before moving if necessary
  • can protect vehicle from detrimental weather conditions
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42
Q

Once a stolen vehicle is located or recovered, where is it typically transported

A
  • a secure location
  • authorised tow yard for that agency/region
  • Secure indoor garage or yard area
43
Q

can a vehicle be processed on scene

A
  • very rare but yes
  • if environment and scene conditions are favourable
  • Health and safety issues must be addressed (PPE)
  • Potential for loss of evidence must be addressed
44
Q

what should be placed on the doors before transportation to ensure continuity of evidence

A

police seals

45
Q

why should police seals be placed on the doors before transportation

A

to ensure continuity of evidence

46
Q

why can it be helpful to contact the registered owner of a vehicle when processing it

A

Can help to eliminate potential evidence within the vehicle that has come from a legitimate source (E.g. drink containers or clothing left inside vehicle by RO)

47
Q

the opportunities for an offender to leave potential trace evidence behind it directly related to what

A

to the length of time the offender has had the vehicle in their possession

48
Q

During the act of stealing the vehicle they may touch what

A
  • exterior surfaces
  • grab door handles, cup hands to look in window etc
49
Q

why might we find blood in a stolen vehicle

A

breaking the glass may cause injuries

50
Q

where might we find fingerprints in a stolen vehicle

A
  • shifting the vehicle into drive
  • starting the car
  • seatbelt
  • think about everything you touch while driving
51
Q

how might we track the movements of the vehicle

A
  • receipts from purchases
  • possible video recovery from those places
52
Q

One of the most important initial tasks of the forensic officer/assistant who is processing the vehicle is to do what

A

confirm the status of the vehicle (stolen?)

53
Q

true/false There isn’t a legal expectation to privacy for members of the public which limits what an officer or civilian forensic member is allowed to do

A
  • false
  • there is a legal expectation
54
Q

what happens if the status of a vehicle is unknown

A

a warrant may be required in order to process it

55
Q

true/false if a vehicle was not recovered legally it may still be useable in the court of law if the strength or quality of the evidence is good

A

false

56
Q

what is found in section 8 of the charter

A

Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure

57
Q

true/false Motor vehicles carry a decreased expectation of privacy in contrast to a home or office

A
  • true
  • given that the use of public highways is a highly regulated activity
58
Q

what specifically should be documented if the vehicle is suspected to have been involved in a hit and run collision

A

documenting the distance the damage is from the ground can be important

59
Q

how many photos should be taken of the exterior of a vehicle

A
  • minimum 8 photos
  • each side and the four corners
60
Q

how many photos should be taken of the interior of a vehicle

A

5 minimum

61
Q

what kind of latent evidence should be looked for on the exterior of the car during the general search

A
  • look for dust voids (areas recently disturbed)
  • use flashlight/ oblique lighting to search for common areas where there could be latent fingerprints
  • dust common surfaces on the exterior that might have been touched
  • a useful approach is to put yourself into the shoes of the offender to see what you would’ve touched
62
Q

should you know the common names for the exterior areas of a vehicle

A
  • yes
  • can help you make more detailed notes
63
Q

where is the quarter panel

A
64
Q

where is the wing mirror

A
65
Q

where is the front bumper

A
66
Q

where is the drivers door

A
67
Q

where is the a-pillar

A
68
Q

where is the rear bumper

A
69
Q

where is the trunk

A
70
Q

where is the b-pillar

A
71
Q

where is the fender

A
72
Q

where is the hood

A
73
Q

true/false Exterior examination including lifting of fingerprints or swabbing areas for DNA can be undertaken post-entry being made into the vehicle

A

-false
- should be done prior to entry

74
Q

how many workable zones should there be in a vehicle

A
  • its up to you
  • more important that you’re consistent for your notes
75
Q

should you powder a car before or after seizing exhibits

A
  • he likes powdering after
  • cause the powder gets everywhere so its easier you want to avoid contaminating the other evidence
76
Q

what interior photos should be taken for a vehicle

A
  • looking in through each opened door and trunk
  • state of the ignition (look for key if its a push start)
  • maybe the engine bay
  • centre console and glovebox contents
  • any items of interest
77
Q

true/false A thorough search of the interior could potentially disturb latent evidence as a result

A
  • true
  • so commonly touched areas should be examined for fingerprints
78
Q

when should fingerprints be searched for, documented, and lifted in a vehicle search

A

prior to the search commencing

79
Q

true/false Vehicles can have a variety of small nooks and crannies where items may be placed

A
  • true
  • it is important to search the vehicle thoroughly as items such as a cigarette butt may be difficult to find but potentially very important in evidentiary value
80
Q

when is a good time to contact the RO about items found within the vehicle

A
  • once an inventory has been made of items of interest
  • some items may appear suspicious initially even if they’re legitimate
81
Q

why is it important to be thorough in documenting and searching the vehicle

A
  • Once you have completed processing the vehicle it is often released to the RO that day or soon after
  • Will typically not get a second chance to examine the vehicle
  • Do not want to miss or overlook evidence no matter how trivial it may
    seem at the time
  • A bit embarrassing when owner of vehicle finds evidence in it
82
Q

true/false should you smell the car

A

yes

83
Q

what might you find by relying on your senses in a vehicle search

A
  • does it look wrong check it out
  • does it smell drugs or alcohol
  • does it feel odd hidden contraband (seats)
  • does it sound odd hidden contraband (hollows)
84
Q

what is one thing that will make up require full PPE in vehicle exams

A

Information regarding the potential for the presence of drugs

85
Q

what happens if we see information regarding the potential for the presence of drugs

A

will require full PPE

86
Q

what are some examples of when a vehicle may undergo a more thorough and potentially destructive exam

A
  • Interior door panels pulled off to search for hidden drugs
  • Seats cut/opened up to recover bullet fragments from a shooting
87
Q

true/false most recovered auto’s will use tape-lifting of fibres

A
  • false
  • this will not be done due to time and financial restraints
88
Q

what are some instances where tape-lifting fibres will be done

A

in homicides

89
Q

why is fibre and hair evidence not used unless deemed necessary

A

Fibre and hair evidence is not as strong as other types

90
Q

how is tape-lifting of fibres done

A
  • involves sectioning off the seat and using the sticky side of regular tape to recover trace evidence from the surface of the seat
  • The tape is then placed onto a sheet of acetate or clear vinyl and can be examined in the laboratory using a microscope
91
Q

how should you do vehicle submissions

A
  • Call CRO in advance of submitting and prior to picking up a vehicle following CFS analysis
  • Only include one vehicle per submission
  • Include authority (a copy of the warrant/consent) , as well as keys to the vehicle with the submission
  • Indicate if the vehicle (outside and/or inside) needs to be protected for fingerprints
92
Q

how should you submit a bicycle

A

submit the entire unit wrapped in paper

93
Q

what should you do when there is GSR on vehicles

A
  • you can submit the whole vehicle
  • use only the GSP sampling kits
  • max of one kit ( stubs) from the interior of the vehicle will be accepted
94
Q

true/false tape other than GSR sampling kits can be used on vehicles under specific circumstances

A
  • false
  • no other tape is permitted
95
Q

where are suitable places to sample vehicles for GSR

A
  • depends on the case specifics
  • door panel and handle
  • steering wheel and console/shifter
  • dashboard
  • roof liner
  • areas around windows
  • seats
96
Q

true/false windows and vehicle exteriors are good areas to sample for GSR

A
  • false
  • Avoid sampling windows and vehicle exteriors
97
Q

what to do when paint is transferred

A

best to submit the object it is on (vehicle, tool, drywall, etc)

98
Q

how should you collect paint samples when submission of an item is not possible, or loss of evidence is a concern

A

using the druggist’s fold

99
Q

discussion about the future of vehicles at the moment is centered on what

A

centered around electric powered and self driving vehicles

100
Q

true/false electric powered and self driving vehicles appears to be a matter of “when” versus “if”

A

true

101
Q

what are 2 things that are often involved regarding vehicles when insurance fraud is happening

A
  • vehicles being set on fire or
  • damaged beyond repair
102
Q

what are 2 good questions regarding vehicles when insurance fraud is happening

A
  • was the vehicle actually stolen
  • was it staged
103
Q
A