Crime Scene Investigation: Evidence Handling & Photography (Review)

Flashcards cover key concepts from the notes on crime-scene protection, photography, evidence handling, note-taking, and common procedures.

What is the first priority at a crime scene?

Getting medical assistance to an injured victim.

True or False: The boundaries of the crime scene should encompass only the center of the scene where the crime occurred.

False.

True or False: An ordinary mailing envelope is a good general-purpose evidence container.

False.

True or False: Failure to protect a crime scene properly may result in the destruction or alteration of evidence.

True.

The term that encompasses all objects that can establish or disprove whether a crime has been committed or can link a crime to its victim or perpetrator.

Physical evidence.

Charred debris recovered from the scene of an arson is best placed in a porous container.

False.

The value of crime-scene photographs lies in their ability to show the layout of the scene, position of witnesses, and relation of people to one another.

True.

Overview photographs should include the area in which the crime actually took place and all adjacent areas where important acts occurred.

True.

Overview photographs should include only points of entry and points of exit.

False.

Who is responsible for taking the steps to preserve and protect the area on arrival at a crime scene?

The first responding officer.

The lead investigator should immediately proceed to gain an overview of the situation and develop a strategy for the systematic examination of the crime scene during the final survey.

True.

Note-taking begins with the call to the crime scene investigator to report to a scene.

True.

Crime-scene notes should be written from memory back at the laboratory.

False.

The search patterns that may be used to search a crime scene for evidence include the line pattern, grid pattern, polar coordinate pattern, and spiral pattern.

False.

What is the best way to preserve a blood-stained piece of evidence?

Allow it to air dry, then store it in a paper bag.

The process that documents possession and transfer of evidence to preserve its integrity across the investigation is known as the chain of custody.

Chain of custody.