Vehicle examinations

Question 1

what types of evidence can be found in cars?

Answer 1

fingerprints, DNA
phones, video
paint transfer
stolen property
weapons
drugs
trace evidence
tire tracks, footwear, clothing etc.

Question 2

what vehicle crime is common across canada? and what is the rate of that crime?

Answer 2

theft of motor vehicles, one car is stolen every 7 minutes

Question 3

in 2022 a vehicle is stolen every ___ in Canada

Answer 3

6 minutes

Question 4

why might a car be stolen?

Answer 4

• joyriding
• sell to unsuspecting customers
• dismantle it for parts
• used to commit another crime
• sold abroad

Question 5

what are the most targetted vehicles?

Answer 5

trucks and SUVs

Question 6

T/F: theft from vehicles is a crime of opportunity.

Answer 6

true

Question 7

what is included in a search of a vehicle

Answer 7

• immediate area, incident to arrest
• inventory of contents when being towed

Question 8

who will perform a surrounding area search?

Answer 8

typically the responding officer

Question 9

what are the three main parts of vehicle searches?

Answer 9

1. preliminary: finding evidence near the vehicle (ie shoe prints or DNA)
2. exterior: finding evidence on exterior of vehicle (ie. damage, fingerprints, tool marks, etc.)
3. interior: finding evidence on interior of vehicles (ie. fingerprints, clothing, tools, cell phones etc.)

Question 10

what is important information to note about vehicles

Answer 10

• 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 the crime?

Question 11

What is the procedure for a recovered vehicle examination?

Answer 11

smaller in size compared to other scene typem can be moved from the scene to a secure location

Question 12

What is the procedure for a stolen vehicle examination?

Answer 12

typically transported to secure location

Question 13

what are important things to note in vehicle examinations

Answer 13

• police seals placed on doors before transportation to ensure continuity of evidence
• exterior and interior surfaces of a vehicle are receptive to trace evidence
• may be useful to contact registered owner to eliminate potential evidence coming from a legitamate source

Question 14

What should be noted about trace evidence on a car?

Answer 14

directly related to length of time
1. may touch exterior surfaces
2. glass breaks may cause injuries (bleeding)
3. putting the seatbelt on, shifting into drive, or even adjusting rear mirror leaving latent fingerprints
4. eating or drinking in the vehicle
5. recipts allow for tracking
6. tools used to break into vehicle

Question 15

What is the most important initial tasks of the forensic officer processing a recovered vehicle?

Answer 15

1. legal expectation of privacy limiting what an officer or civilian forensic memeber is allowed to do
2. if the status is unknown, a warrant may be required
3. regardless of strength or quality of evidence if it was not recovered legally it will not be usable in court

Question 16

what is searching of recovered vehicles covered under in the CCR?

Answer 16

section 8

Question 17

What is the difference between privacy in searches of cars vs homes and offices?

Answer 17

they have a decreased expectation of privacy

Question 18

what should all forensic examinations of recovered crime vehicles include:

Answer 18

1. documentation
2. photographs including make, model, licence, and VIN

Question 19

What should photos of vehicles include?

Answer 19

1. exterior 360 view
2. each side, four corners, front and rear
3. 5 minimum interior photos
4. licence place and VIN
5. Any damage or decals
6. noted customization

Question 20

What happens in an exterior examination of a recovered crime vehicle

Answer 20

1. exterior photographs
2. look for dust voids and areas recently disturbed
3. using oblique lighting search for fingerprints

Question 21

Define zone one on a vehicle search

Answer 21

drivers side of the car not including the hood

Question 22

Define zone two on a vehicle search

Answer 22

passenger side doors not including hood and trunk

Question 23

Define zone three on a vehicle search

Answer 23

trunk

Question 24

Define zone four on a vehicle search

Answer 24

hood

Question 25

what is the vehicle search rules?

Answer 25

rely on your senses

Question 26

What is included in vehicle submission to the CFS?

Answer 26

1. call CRO in advance of submitting and prior to picking up a vehicle following CFS analysis
2. only include one vehicle per submission
3. indicate if vehicle needs to be protected for fingerprints
4. if a bicycle is involved submit entire unit wrapped in paper

Question 27

What is the process for gun shot residue kits on cars?

Answer 27

1. the whole vehicle can be submitted
2. Use only the GSR sampling kits and no other tape is permitted
3. a maximum of one kit (four stubs) from the interior of the vehicle will be accepted
4. Sample suitable areas: door panel, handle, steering wheel and consol/shifter, dashboard, roof liner, areas around the window, and seats

Question 28

How do you submit paint transfer to the CFS?

Answer 28

submit the entire object the paint is transferred onto.

Question 29

How would you pack samples when loss of evidence is a concern?

Answer 29

use the druggists fold

Question 30

What questions are asked in cases of suspected insurance fraud?

Answer 30

was vehicle actually stolen?
was it staged?
does it involve being set on fire or is it damaged beyond repair?