Criminalistics Test 2

A: Assess the crime scene and assist the injured

D: Detain the witness(es)

A: Arrest the perpetrator (If on scene)

P: Protect the crime scene

T: Take notes

What does ADAPT stand for?

Primary crime scene

Original location of the crime of accident

Secondary crime scene

An alternate location

What are the 3 types of evidence

Testimonial (oral or written statements)

Physical (any material items present at the scene, on the victim, or in a suspect’s possession)

Trace: found in small but measurable amounts.

The 6 things evidence will do to aid in the investigation

• May prove that a crime was committed

• Give the detectives leads to work within the case

• Link a suspect/victim with a crime scene

• Establish the identity of a victim/suspect

• Corroborate verbal witness testimony

• Exonerate the innocent

• Police officer

• CSI Unit (document the scene in detail and collect evidence)

• District attorney

• Medical examiner/coroner (if a homicide, may or may not be present to determine a preliminary cause of death)

• Specialists (Forensic ontologist/insects, anthropologists/skeletal remains, or psychologists)

• Detectives (interview witnesses and consult with CSI unit. Follow leads provided by witnesses and physical evidence)

Crime Scene Personnel

1. Interview

2. Examine

3. Document

4. Process

Crime scene protocol

• Look for signs of life, call for medical assistance

• Cordon off the scene, determined by lead investigator

• Call for additional personnel

• Detailed log kept of movements in and out of crime scene

• Do not alter the crime scene (smoking, eating, drinking, littering.)

Secure the crime scene

Be alert for

• Sharp objects

• Knives

• Hypodermic syringes

• Razor blades

• Any other similar items

• Biological materials

• Other health hazards

Crime scene safety

• Disposable gloves

• Chemical resistant clothing

• Tyvek-type shoe covers

• Mask/respirator

• Goggles

• Face shields

Crime scene attire

• Notes

• Photography

• Sketches

• Videography

• 3D Scan

Document the crime scene

• Date

• Time

• Description of location, weather, and environmental conditions

• Description of crime

• Location of the evidence relative to other key points

• Names of all people involved

• Any other relevant information

Record the following while at the crime scene

• Date time and location

• Scale

• Recovered items

• Important features

• Accurate distance measurements of objects

• A legend (list) for description of items

• A compass for designating

• Names of investigators, victims, and suspects,

What to include in a rough sketch

• Conflicting eyewitness accounts prompted police to be outfitted with body-worn cameras

• Have at least one microphone and internal data storage

• Efficient tool for collecting evidence and recording crime.

Body-worn cameras

A way to create 2d drawings and 3d models to map out crime scene and/or body.

What is a CAD program

1. Spiral

2. Grid

3. Line (strip)

4. Zone (quadrant)

5. Wheel/ray

5 types of search patterns

Collecting involves extreme care in identifying, packaging, and labeling each piece of evidence.

Searching the scene for evidence

• Physical evidence must be collected before time and weather can alter it

• Each item must be placed in a separate container, sealed, and labeled.

Collecting and packaging objects

Any object that can establish that a crime has been committed or links a crime and the victim or suspect

Physical Evidence

The window of opportunity to collect time-sensitive information or evidence

The Golden Hour

• Vials

• Envelopes

• Plastic bags

• Paper bags

• Canisters

• Cardboard boxes

Packaging devices used

• Description of contents

• Date, time, and location

• Agency and collectors name

• Case number

• Victim(s) names

Information for each package should include

• Usually submitted to the lab either by personal delivery or by mail shipment

• Care must be taken in packing evidence for mail shipment in order to prevent breakage or other accidental destruction during transit to the lab

Submitted evidence

• Written record must be kept of all who have had possession of an item of evidence, beginning at the time of collection

  • Date and time of transfer

  • Location of transfer

  • To/from names

  • Purpose of transfer

Chain of Custody

Tampering, Contamination, Substitution

General attacks on labs

Automated fingerprint identification system (Quickly matches fingerprints to identify people quickly)

AFIS

Integrated automated fingering identification system (Quickly matches fingerprints to identify people for law enforcement or background checks)

IAFIS

Combined DNA index system (Stores and matches DNA profiles to help solve crimes and identify people. Similar to ancestry.com)

CODIS

Integrated ballistics identification system (Store and compares bullet and firearm markings to help solve crimes)

IBIS

International forensic automotive paint data query (helps identify vehicles by comparing paint samples in forensic investigations)

PDQ