CRJU 230 EXAM ONE

metallic color, the first to arrive and lay eggs - arrive within minutes after death - best to determine time of death

blow fly

gray with black strips, deposit live larvae during the mid-early decomposition stage

flesh fly

most common fly, show up during the later stages of decomposition

house fly

blow fly, flesh fly, house fly

order of flies

theories, principles, and laws

ex: locard exchange principle

scientific concepts

hand’s on ability to use techniques appropriately

ex: lifting fingerprints

application skills

interpreting the evidence in real cases (connecting lab results to legal questions)

analysis of items/cases

crime scene processing, evidence collection and documentation

field forensics

things done in the lab - includes scientific testing and analysis of evidence

lab forensics

death investigation, injury interpretation and the autopsy is conducted

medical forensics

tangible objects (fingerprints, blood stains, foot prints)

physical evidence

crime scene processing, DNA analysis, trace analysis - like microscopy and spectroscopy

physical evidence methods

linking a suspect through DNA or physical evidence - matching a bullet to a firearm or matching a fingerprint to an evidence print

physical evidence cases

victim statements - statements, testimonies and confessions

testimonial evidence

done through interrogation/interview techniques, statement analysis, corroboration with physical evidence and courtroom examination

testimonial evidence

eyewitness identification - confessions used to support prosecution, expert forensic testimony explaining lab results

testimonial cases

first to arrive at the crime, priority is life safety, emergency air and securing the scene

first responder

document, process and collect physical evidence from a secured crime scene

crime scene team (CST/CSI)

focus on the body, determining COD & MOD and document medical evidence

medical examiner crime scene team

elements of a crime present - proof of body, means a crime occurred

elements:

• intent

• relationship

• crime occurred

corpus delicti

specific method/pattern used by an offender to commit a crime

modus operandi (MO)

established rules/procedures that guide how crime scene tasks must be performed

protocol

documented recorded showing the seizure, control, transfer and analysis of evidence from collection to court

chain of custody

physical/testimonial material collected during an investigation that may prove/disprove facts

evidence

evidence that has been formally introduced and accepted in the court of all

exhibit

adds neutrality - doesn’t show bias

why is the term “exhibit” used in court

known sample taken from a specific person/object for comparison purposes

ex: saliva, semen or blood

exemplar

known standard used to determine whether questioned evidence matches or can be excluded

• area surrounding the evidence

reference sample

a blood puddle, near it is the blood spatter

example of reference sample

degree to which evidence can prove/disprove a fact relevant to the case

probative value

classification of evidence based on form or origin

• physical, biological, trace

types of evidence

pattern v impression

chemical v biological

medical v trace

digital v others

classification of evidence

fingerprints & shoe prints - 2D

pattern evidence

firearms, tool-marks - 3D

impression evidence

gunshot residue, gunshot powder, drugs

chemical evidence

DNA and nursing

biological evidence

gunshot wound, entomology, anthropology

medical evidence

hair, paint, glass, fiber, soil

anthropology

USB, SD card, cellphone, websites

digital evidence

questioned document, psychology, psychiatry

others evidence

photograph that shows the whole/entire crime scene to establish the context and layout

entire/overall view

windows/doors for indoor and roads, addresses, street signs for outdoor pictures

there is a tripod used, slower shutter speeds, depths of view and shadows

also there is overlapping shots

what does an entire/overall view include

photograph showing the relationship between evidence and its surroundings

• uses a flashlight when needed

mid/midrange view

the body/tool in relation to the overall scene - main part of evidence

midrange view includes

photograph that captures fine detail of a specific item of evidence

• shows specific features of that main piece of evidence

• there is a picture with a ruler and one without one (legal requirement)

• a scale is used as a reference

close up view

preliminary, hand-drawn sketch created at the scene to record measurements and evidence locations

rough/raw sketch

clean, accurate, to-scale drawing prepared from the rough sketch for reports or court - done on computer

final sketch

search method where investigations move in straight lines across a scene - usually outdoors

line/strip search

double line search conducted in two directions to ensure thorough coverage - usually outdoors

grid search

divides the crime scene into sections, each searched separately

• when indoors, it’s divided into different rooms

zone search

pattern that moves inward or outward in a circular path - done outdoors

spiral search

based on how many people are there - about 4 -5 hours - however may take longer when there are more than one body

• then crime scene gets passed to a private company

how long does it take to process a crime scene

specific injury, disease or condition that directly resulted in a death

• ex: gunshot, blunt force trauma

cause of death

classification of death

• natural, accidental, suicidal, homicidal or undecided

manner of death

general estimate of how long a person has been dead

• colder the body = longer time dead

time of death

estimated time between death and the discovery of the body based on physiological changes

postmortem interval (PMI)

occurring before death

antemortem

occurring at or around time of death

perimortem

occurring after death

postmortem

protection of evidence from loss, contamination or degradation

preservation

process of determining the sequence of events of a crime scene using evidence analysis

reconstruction

system using satellite signals to determine and record precise location data

GPS technology

system that uses machine-readable codes to identify, track and manage evidence items

barcode technology

has a barcode, sealed with paint, scissors must be used to be opened, edge markers used - with other plastic bags, once sealed it must be cut and a signature is needed

• heat is used to open and reseal bag

• the bag that uses a barcode holds more integrity

plastic evidence bag

used for biological evidence

• used with blood, saliva, semen, skin cell, hair follicle, bones

paper bag

used for soils

• used with evidence containing gasoline, diesel

• things found underneath cars like gasoline

wax paper

used for technology

• blocks electromagnetic interference to prevent data deletion - from afar

• includes phones, sim cards and USB

foil bag

secure the scene, notify authorities, secure consent or statement

protocol

undercover officer is posing as a buyer to buy drugs from person who is of interest

sting operation

officer is posing as the criminal (like a drug seller) to sell to other criminals

reversed sting operation

the original photo must not be touched, but they can do whatever is wanted to a copy

adobe photoshop

not required - due to foul language due to high stress environment - video cannot be muted because that would be considered alteration

video taping