Vehicle examinations Flashcards
what types of evidence can be found in cars?
fingerprints, DNA
phones, video
paint transfer
stolen property
weapons
drugs
trace evidence
tire tracks, footwear, clothing etc.
what vehicle crime is common across canada? and what is the rate of that crime?
theft of motor vehicles, one car is stolen every 7 minutes
in 2022 a vehicle is stolen every ___ in Canada
6 minutes
why might a car be stolen?
- joyriding
- sell to unsuspecting customers
- dismantle it for parts
- used to commit another crime
- sold abroad
what are the most targetted vehicles?
trucks and SUVs
T/F: theft from vehicles is a crime of opportunity.
true
what is included in a search of a vehicle
- immediate area, incident to arrest
- inventory of contents when being towed
who will perform a surrounding area search?
typically the responding officer
what are the three main parts of vehicle searches?
- preliminary: finding evidence near the vehicle (ie shoe prints or DNA)
- exterior: finding evidence on exterior of vehicle (ie. damage, fingerprints, tool marks, etc.)
- interior: finding evidence on interior of vehicles (ie. fingerprints, clothing, tools, cell phones etc.)
what is important information to note about vehicles
- 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?
What is the procedure for a recovered vehicle examination?
smaller in size compared to other scene typem can be moved from the scene to a secure location
What is the procedure for a stolen vehicle examination?
typically transported to secure location
what are important things to note in vehicle examinations
- 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
What should be noted about trace evidence on a car?
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
What is the most important initial tasks of the forensic officer processing a recovered vehicle?
- legal expectation of privacy limiting what an officer or civilian forensic memeber is allowed to do
- if the status is unknown, a warrant may be required
- regardless of strength or quality of evidence if it was not recovered legally it will not be usable in court
what is searching of recovered vehicles covered under in the CCR?
section 8
What is the difference between privacy in searches of cars vs homes and offices?
they have a decreased expectation of privacy
what should all forensic examinations of recovered crime vehicles include:
- documentation
- photographs including make, model, licence, and VIN
What should photos of vehicles include?
- exterior 360 view
- each side, four corners, front and rear
- 5 minimum interior photos
- licence place and VIN
- Any damage or decals
- noted customization
What happens in an exterior examination of a recovered crime vehicle
- exterior photographs
- look for dust voids and areas recently disturbed
- using oblique lighting search for fingerprints
Define zone one on a vehicle search
drivers side of the car not including the hood
Define zone two on a vehicle search
passenger side doors not including hood and trunk
Define zone three on a vehicle search
trunk
Define zone four on a vehicle search
hood
what is the vehicle search rules?
rely on your senses
What is included in vehicle submission to the CFS?
- call CRO in advance of submitting and prior to picking up a vehicle following CFS analysis
- only include one vehicle per submission
- indicate if vehicle needs to be protected for fingerprints
- if a bicycle is involved submit entire unit wrapped in paper
What is the process for gun shot residue kits on cars?
- the whole vehicle can be submitted
- Use only the GSR sampling kits and no other tape is permitted
- a maximum of one kit (four stubs) from the interior of the vehicle will be accepted
- Sample suitable areas: door panel, handle, steering wheel and consol/shifter, dashboard, roof liner, areas around the window, and seats
How do you submit paint transfer to the CFS?
submit the entire object the paint is transferred onto.
How would you pack powder samples when loss of evidence is a concern?
use the druggists fold
What questions are asked in cases of suspected insurance fraud?
was vehicle actually stolen?
was it staged?
does it involve being set on fire or is it damaged beyond repair?
