CSI Notes Packet

useful information must be____

carefully, systematically, and legally collected

if the crime scene is not treated carefully,____

it can make vital information not only useless, but even deceptive, pointing an investigation in the wrong direction

crime scene

any physical location in which a crime has occurred or is suspected of having occurred

primary crime scene

the original location of a crime or accident

secondary crime scene

an alternate location where additional evidence may be found

suspect

a person thought to be capable of committing a crime

accomplice

person associated with someone suspected of committing a crime

alibi

a statement of where a suspect was at the time of a crime

testimonial evidence

includes oral or written statements given to police as well as court testimony by people who witnessed an event

physical evidence

refers to any material item that would be present at the crime scene, on the victim(s), or found in a suspect’s possession

trace evidence

refers to physical evidence that is found in small but measurable amounts, such as strands of hair, fibers, or skin cells

police officers (crime scene personnel)

are typically the first to arrive at a crime scene. they are responsible for securing the scene so no evidence is destroyed and detaining persons of interest in the crime scene

CSI unit (crime scene personnel)

documents the crime scene in detail and collets any physical evidence

district attorney (crime scene personnel)

is often present to help determine if any search warrants are required to proceed and obtain those warrants from a judge

medical examiner (crime scene personnel)

(if a homicide) may or may not be present to determine a preliminary cause of death

specialists (crime scene personnel)

forensics entomologists, anthropologists, or psychologists) may be called in if the evidence requires expert analysis

detectives (crime scene personnel)

interview witnesses and consult with the CSI unit. they investigate the crime by following leads provided by witnesses and physical evidence

crime scene protocol includes:

1. interview
2. examine
3. document
4. process

interview

* 1st step of crime scene protocol
* interview the first officer at the scene or the victim to determine what allegedly happened, what crime took place, and how was the crime committed. this information may not be factual information but it will give the investigators a place to start.

examine

* 2nd step of crime scene protocol
* will help to identify possible evidence identify the point of exit,, and outline the general layout of the crime

document

* 3rd step of crime scene protocol
* creating a pictorial record of the crime scene as well as a rough sketch to demonstrate the layout of the crime scene and to identify the exact position of the deceased victim or the other evidence within the crime scene

process

* 4th step if crime scene protocol
* the crime scene technician will process the crime scene for evidence, both physical and testimonial evidence. it is the crime technicians responsibility to identify, evaluate, and collect physical evidence from the crime scene for further analysis by acrie scene laboratory

processing a crime scene means you:

1. isolate and secure the scene
2. document the scene
3. search for evidence
4. collect and package the evidence while maintaining the chain of custody
5. submit the evidence for analysis

first officers at the scene ned to “ADAPT”:

* A: asses the crime scene and assist the injured
* D: detain the witness(es)
* A: arrest the perpetrator
* P: protect the crime scene
* T: take notes

3 steps to *securing* the crime scene:

1. look for signs of life
2. cordon off the scene (only allow authorized personnel in)
3. bodies should be certified as “dead” by a medical examiner (ME) before being moved

3 steps to *surveying* the crime scene:

1. a walkthrough is performed by the crime scene investigator, the first officer, and sometimes the lead detective
2. record initial observations of who, what, where, when, and how
3. make a plan of action

while observing and documenting the scene:

* get an overall view to find possible times of evidence
* to identify the points of entry and exit
* to consider what may have happened and mentally outline how the scene should be handled

recording the crime scene involves:

* notes
* photography
* sketches
* videography

note should include:

* date
* time
* description of the location, weather, and environmental conditions

description of the crime
* location of the evidence relative to other key points
* names of all people involved
* any other relevant information

when photographing a crime scene it is important that:

* nothing should be moved until photographed
* take photos of the scene and the surroundings
* photograph entrance and exits
* take wide and close-up photos
* use various angles for each piece of evidence
* use a ruler to show size

sketches must include:

* date, time, and location
* scale
* recovered items
* important features
* accurate distance measurements of objects (from two fixed points)
* a legend for description of items
* a compass designated north
* names of investigators, victims, and suspects

what should you always wear while searching a crime scene?

* disposable gloves
* masks
* slippers
* coveralls with a hood

spiral

* type of search pattern
* may move inward or outward; best used where there are no physical barriers

grid

* type of search pattern
* basically a double-line search; effective, but time-consuming

line/strip

* type of search pattern
* best in large, outdoor scenes. in a line search, a square are is divided into parallel strips or lanes with one searcher per lane. the searchers slowly walk straight line through the middle of the lane and visually cover the full width of their lane

zone/quadrant

* type of research pattern
* most effective in houses or buildings; teams are assigned small zones for searching

the golden hour is____

the window of opportunity to collect time sensitive information or evidence

each item of evidence____

must be placed in a separate container, sealed, and labeled

trace evidence may be placed on____

a piece of paper which is then folded in a “druggist fold” and placed in a secondary container

every evidence tag should include:

1. description of contents
2. date, time, and location
3. agency and collector’s name
4. case number
5. victim’s name(s)

chain of custody includes:

* date and time of transfer
* location of transfer
* to/from names
* purpose of transfer

national databases

* AFIS
* IAFIS
* CODIS
* IBIS
* PDQ

AFIS

* national database
* automated fingerprint identification system

IAFIS

* national database
* integrated automated fingerprint identification system

CODIS

* national database
* combined DNA index system

IBIS

* national database
* integrated ballistics identification system

PDQ

* national database
* international forensic automotive paint data query

drug chemistry

determines the presence of controlled substances and identification of marijuana

trace chemistry

identification and comparison of materials from fires, explosions, paints, and glass

microscopy

microscopic identification and comparison of evidence, such as hairs, fibers, woods, sails, building materials, insulation, and other materials

biology/DNA

analysis of body fluids and dries stains such as blood, semen, and saliva

toxicology

tests body fluids and tissues to determine the presence of drugs or poisons

latent prints

identification and comparison of fingerprints or other hidden impressions from sources, like feet, shoes, ears, lips, or tread on vehicle tires

ballistics(firearms)

study of bullets and ammunition through the comparison of fired bullets, cartridges, guns, and gunpowder patterns on people and objects

toolmarks

examines marks left by tools on objects at a crime scene or on a victim, such as a hammer used to break a door or a screwdriver used to pick a lock

questioned documents

examination of documents to compare handwriting, ink, paper, writing instruments, printers, and other characteristics that would help to identify its origin