Criminal Investigation Techniques – CIT Course (Days 1-3)

Question-and-Answer flashcards covering major principles, statutory duties, court rulings, evidence types, witness management, interview practice, and crime-scene/canvass procedures emphasized in Days 1-3 of the CIT course.

What are the six core duties in the investigator’s role and responsibility list?

Respond, Gather, Recognize, Preserve & Document, Analyze, Develop, Act.

Name four separate written plans an investigator may develop during a major case.

Victim/Witness plan, Canvass plan, Search plan, Interview plan (others include Investigative, Operational, Media, Crime-scene and Evidence-management plans).

What two records must an investigator personally maintain in addition to a notebook?

Their case file (electronic or hard copy) and a case chronology.

Define investigative thinking.

The process of analyzing evidence and information, considering alternate possibilities, to establish how an event occurred and whether theories are reasonable.

Give the four major investigative failures highlighted in the lecture.

Tunnel vision, Hold-back responsibility, Lack of accountability, Secrecy.

Which three personal qualities were stressed as critical for ‘the path to become an investigator’?

Patience/long-term commitment, Tenacity, Flexible thinking (avoiding tunnel vision).

List five crime-scene management objectives.

Securing the scene, Scaling the investigation, Setting perimeters, Establishing a path of contamination, Establishing crime-scene security (plus Evidence management & Continuity).

Who carries primary responsibility for securing a crime scene?

The first officer on scene (followed by the supervisor and the investigator).

State Locard’s Exchange Principle.

Whenever two surfaces come into contact there is a two-way transfer of trace materials between them.

Provide three examples of trace evidence under Locard’s Principle.

Fingerprints, Fibers, Blood (others include hairs, footprints, glass fragments, soil etc.).

Define a ‘crime scene’.

Any location—indoor, outdoor, vehicle, or person—where a crime has taken place.

What legal test provides police ancillary authority to control a crime scene?

The Waterfield test (R v Waterfield, 1963).

Name and describe the three stages of crime for evidence transfer.

Pre-crime (planning), Criminal event (greatest evidence transfer), Post-crime (cast-off, cleanup, proceeds).

What two greatest challenges exist at any crime scene?

Contamination and Loss of continuity.

List the five objectives in a crime-scene search.

Present evidence to court, Understand evidence, Know scene contents, Interpret evidential value, Collect & secure evidence.

Give the mnemonic for an investigator’s responsibilities at scene.

C.O.R.E. – Control, Observe, Record, Evaluate.

Who normally performs the official walk-through of a scene?

The Forensic Identification Officer (Ident).

Identify the two chief targets of a canvass.

Witnesses and Video surveillance.

State four purposes of a canvass besides locating witnesses.

Determine scene extent, Locate secondary scenes, Establish victimology, Identify suspect(s) or motive, Fix time of occurrence.

Why might a ‘mirror canvass’ be conducted?

To revisit the area at the same day/time as the crime, catching witnesses only present then or re-approaching reluctant witnesses.

What is a ‘roadblock canvass’?

A checkpoint (appearing like a routine stop) set up to identify witnesses or possible suspects passing the crime area.

List three skills required of a canvass coordinator.

Good organization, Effective communication, Experience tasking personnel (plus strong oral/written skills).

Define direct evidence and give an example.

Evidence that proves a fact without inference—e.g., a witness sees the shooting on live video.

Define indirect (circumstantial) evidence.

Evidence requiring inference to prove a fact—e.g., the accused’s fingerprint on the murder weapon.

What is meant by the ‘probative value’ of evidence?

The weight or persuasive value a court assigns to a piece of evidence when deciding a fact in issue.

Give three common document problems courts scrutinize.

Anonymous communications, Counterfeit or altered documents, Forged documents.

Differentiate inculpatory and exculpatory evidence.

Inculpatory links the accused to the offence; Exculpatory tends to show the accused did not commit the crime.

What is ‘corroborative evidence’?

Evidence that supports or confirms another piece already presented, helping the court reach belief beyond reasonable doubt.

Define ‘chain of continuity’.

The documented, unbroken control of an exhibit from seizure through analysis to court presentation.

State two best-practice rules for handling physical evidence.

Wear gloves/limit handling; Never mark or deface the item (use separate packaging & documentation).

What statement type is required for a cooperative civilian witness?

A KGB statement (videotaped, under oath, with caution).

Give the definition of an ‘independent witness’.

A witness not associated with the victim, suspect, or event in any way.

List four key factors in witness credibility assessment.

Witness profile/history, Bias or motive, Location/length of observation, Time elapsed before interview (plus physical/cognitive abilities).

Explain the ‘truthfully incorrect witness’.

A credible-appearing witness who is honestly mistaken, posing risk to investigative accuracy.

What is the ‘dominant witness’ problem?

One witness influences others’ statements, contaminating independent recollections.

What Supreme Court case modernized the Canadian ‘confession rule’?

R v Oickle (2000).

State the four voluntariness criteria under R v Oickle.

Free from threat/promise, Free from oppression, No trickery undermining voluntariness, Accused has an operating mind.

Which case confirmed police may continue questioning after a suspect asserts silence?

R v Singh (2007).

Define ‘detention’ per Canadian law.

A restraint of liberty short of arrest, including psychological restraint when police take control by demand or direction.

Name three triggers giving a detainee a fresh right to counsel.

Change in jeopardy, Change in process (e.g., polygraph), Failure to understand previous advice.

What is a Prosper warning?

A re-caution provided when a detainee initially wanted counsel then waives that right; warns that further statements may be used in evidence.

Which case warns against belittling a suspect’s lawyer?

R v Burlingham (1995).

Under R v Leclair, what must an accused do if their chosen lawyer is unavailable?

Attempt to contact another lawyer within a reasonable time or proceed without counsel.

What 2022 case clarified that age and status may convert a ‘voluntary’ interview into detention?

R v LaFrance (2022).

Is an utterance legally different from a statement?

No. An utterance is simply a spontaneous statement and treated the same for admissibility.

List the five PEACE model stages.

Planning & Preparation; Engage & Explain; Account, Clarification & Challenge; Closure; Evaluation.

Provide the TED mnemonic used to elicit narratives.

Tell me…, Explain to me…, Describe to me…

Rank the five interview stages taught.

Preparation, Commencing/rapport, Recording, Obtaining account, Deciding witness vs suspect approach.

Define ‘Person of Interest’.

Someone whose background/opportunity warrants further investigation but for whom no evidence yet suggests culpability.

Define ‘Suspect’ in major-crime management.

A person of interest for whom evidence now indicates culpability in the offence.

What warning is required when a person becomes a suspect before giving a statement?

KGB caution plus right-to-counsel (if detained) before further questioning.

Describe the main lesson from the Matthew Crosby homicide case regarding evidence review.

Investigators must promptly review seized evidence (e.g., 583 files went unexamined, causing delays and video loss).

Which principle explains that suspects leaving a scene may discard incriminating items?

Post-crime ‘cast-off’ concept within the Three Stages of Crime.

What is ‘hold-back evidence’ and why is it used?

Specific facts purposely withheld from media/public to test suspect or witness veracity during interviews.

Give two examples of ‘stimulation tactics’.

Presenting (or implying) evidence to provoke a suspect’s reaction; Monitoring phone calls after interviews.

Why is video canvassing considered one of the most valuable evidence searches?

Widespread CCTV provides objective, time-stamped, often high-probative evidence linking suspects, victims, and timelines.

Minimum number of photos recommended for a fair photo line-up (TPS standard).

12 photos (OPC minimum is 10).

What lineup safeguard prevents investigator bias?

Double-blind administration—officer showing photos knows nothing about the investigation.

Explain the purpose of a ‘continuity log’.

A record tracking all persons entering/leaving a crime scene to protect integrity and evidence continuity.

Which statutory duty (s. 217 CC) imposes liability for failing to prevent harm during tasks?

Duty of persons undertaking acts – must take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm.

What is conditional evidence?

Scene conditions that can disappear or change (lights on, temperature, odours, weather, windows/doors open).

List two ancillary resources often requested for large-scale scenes.

K-9 and Air Support (others: Command post, ETF, Marine, Victim Services).

Which Supreme Court case ruled completeness/accuracy of interview recording vital?

R v McFarlane & Bogel (2001).

Provide three common types of evidence recognized in court.

Hearsay, Documentary, Testimonial (witness) evidence.

What is an ‘anonymous communication’ problem with documents?

A document with no identified author, raising authenticity issues.

State the three requirements of a KGB statement.

Given under oath/affirmation, videotaped in entirety, explicit warning of Criminal Code penalties for lying (s.137/139/140).

Why might police perform a ‘re-canvass’?

To contact missed or reluctant witnesses, or capture short-term memory before it fades.

Describe ‘oppression’ in interrogation context.

Conditions or treatment (e.g., prolonged isolation, deprivation) that overpower the suspect’s will, making any confession involuntary.

What case held police influence alone doesn’t make a statement involuntary if rights are respected?

R v Paternak (1995).

List four physical-match evidence types connecting suspect to scene.

Shoe impressions, Tool-mark impressions, Tire impressions, Bite impressions.

What is the primary reason courts favour physical exhibits?

They allow the trier of fact to directly inspect tangible items when deciding facts in issue.

Explain ‘mirror canvass’ in one sentence.

A second canvass replicating original timing and conditions to locate time-specific witnesses.

What does ‘hold-back responsibility’ mean as an investigative failure?

Excessive secrecy: failing to share information inside the team, causing missed leads or duplication.

Give two signs a fabricated witness report may be false.

Inconsistent timeline details; Inability to account for location or manner of occurrence accurately.

What minimum personnel are advised for a detailed canvass?

At least two people working in pairs.

State one key disadvantage of lost CCTV footage as seen in the Crosby case.

Overwriting after 28–30 days eliminates potentially decisive visual evidence of suspect movement.

What database/search resource was cited as ‘good for managing cases’ in TPS?

Microsoft OneNote (within Microsoft 365).