Chapter 8- Criminal Law

Grade 11 Canadian Law

intelligence

collecting, evaluating, analyzing, and reporting information. Especially of a military, criminal or political nature

crime scene

the site where the offence took place

center

the area in which the offence was actually committed

perimeter

areas surrounding the center, where the offender may have been present or left evidence

contamination

The loss, destruction, or alteration of physical evidence

police log

a written record of what an officer has witnessed

Physical Evidence

Any object that can establish that a crime has been committed or can link a crime and its victim or its perpetrator.

Forensic Science

The use of biochemical and other scientific techniques to analyze evidence in a criminal investigation

impressions

patterns or marks found on surfaces and caused by various objects

Class Characteristics

the general attributes of an object

individual characteristics

the specific and unique features of an object

visible fingerprint

the print formed when a fingertip is coated in blood, grease, or some other substance; it is visible to the naked eye

latent fingerprint

print formed by fingertip, invisible to the naked eye

chain of custody

the witnessed, written record of the people who maintained unbroken control over an item of evidence

arrest

legally depriving someone of liberty by seizing or touching the person to indicate that he or she is in custody

detention

legally depriving a person of liberty for the purpose of asking questions, with or without physical restraint

reasonable grounds

info that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that the suspect committed a criminal offense

appearance notice

legal document, mostly issued for summary offenses, compelling an accused to appear in court

summons

legal document issued for an indictable offense ordering an accused to appear in court

arrest warrant

written court order, directing the arrest of the suspect

peace officer

a person responsible for preserving the public peace, such as a police officer, a mayor, or a customs officer

citizens arrest

arrest without a warrant by any person other than a peace officer

search warrant

court document that gives police the right to search a specific place

tele warrant

search warrant obtained by phone/fax

line up

grouping of people shown to a victim or a witness for the purpose of identifying the perpetrator

promise to appear

signed agreement that the accused will appear in court at the time of trial

recognizance

guarantee that the accused will appear in court when require, under penalty of a fine up to 500

show cause hearing

judicial hearing which the crown or accused has to convince the judge to detain/release the accused before trial

reverse onus

burden of proof shifts to the defense

bail

temporary release of the defendant prior to trial

surety

person who agrees to make a payment if the accused does not appear on trial

bench warrant

an arrest warrant issued directly by the judge when an accused person fails to appear in court