forensics- investigative process quiz review

7 S’s

1. Seccuring the scene

2. Separating witnesses

3. Scanning the scene

4. Seeing the scene

5. Sketching the scene

6. Searching the scene

7. Secure and collect evidence

Who is at the crime scene?

First Responders

Crime Scene Investigators

Medical Examinor & Corner

Detectives

Specialists

Securing the Scene

The first officer arriving on the scene of a crime must PRESERVE and protect the area as much as possible. However, PRIORITY should be given to obtaining medical assistance for individuals in need. AND to arresting the perpetrator. Once everyone is safe, extensive efforts must be made to EXCLUDE all unauthorized persons from the scene. ROPES or barricades along with strategic positioning of guards will prevent unauthorized access to the scene. Every individual who enters the scene must be DOCUMENTED (crime scene logs) as well as the time and date that they entered and exited the scene

Separating Witnesses

This is the second priority. They must not be allowed to TALK to one another. Investigators will compare their ACCOUNTS. They are separated to avoid working together as well as to avoid one witness to be INFLUENCED by another.

The following questions that are usually asked of the witnesses

What did you see?

Where were you when you made this observation?

Did you see anyone else?

Do you have any information that may be helpful in our investigation?

Scanning the Crime Scene

Next, investigators and first responding officers will do a quick scan of the scene and mark evidence with EVIDENCE MARKERS. A more thorough search is done later.

Seeing the Crime Scene

During this step, a trained forensic photographer photographs the evidence that has been MARKED. Any time NEW evidence is marked, photographs will be made.

Sketching the Crime Scene

Once photographs have been taken, the crime scene investigator will ___ the scene. This is a ROUGH ____ that depicts the DIMENSIONS of the scene and shows the LOCATION of all evidence. The ____ should match the PHOTOGRAPHS and evidence markers in the ____ should align with evidence markers in the photographs.

Searching the Scene

During this step, investigators really focus on finding all THE EVIDENCE and a more detailed search is performed. A search pattern is DECLARED, and investigators work together to ensure that no part of the crime scene has been left unsearched. If new evidence is found, it is marked with evidence markers, PHOTOGRAPH and ADD IT in the sketch.

Securing and Collecting Evidence

Physical evidence can be anything from massive objects to microscopic traces. Each piece of evidence (no matter how big or small) must be PRESERVED in its original state and its INTEGRITY maintained. The search for evidece is not LIMITED to the crime scene. (ex. evidence can be found on the body during an autopsy). Investigators must handle and process evidence in a way that prevents any CHANGE from taking place from the crime scene to the crime lab.

The use of ______ is vital during handling of evidence

disposible gloves

Evidence should remain ____ until investigators have documented its location and appearance in notes, sketches, and photographs.

unmoved

Crime scene investigators have a large assortment of _____ materials and tools, ready to package a diverse array of evidence

packaging

The ___ of ____is the process of protecting evidence from the crime scene of the lab

Chain of Custody

According to the Chain of custody, evidence should be packaged in the following way:

Appropriate PACKAGING should be used

Packaging should be sealed with EVIDENCE tape.

THE SIGNATURE OF THE COLLECTING OFFICER SHOULD APPEAR ON THE EVIDENCE TAPE

The seal must never be broken

If evidence must be processed, the evidence must be removed without puncturing the signed evidence LABEL

A Chain of custody LOG must be filled out

The signatures on the log must match the SIGNATURES on the evidence labels

once evidence is collected, it can be transferred to a ____ lab for further analysis.

crime

however, each person that handles the evidence must be _____ on the chain of custody log.

included

They must also place the evidence in a new _____ with a new evidence seal, so that he integrity fo the evidence in maintained

package

Failure to do so will result in the _______ of the evidence in court

inamisability