Introduction to CSI MIdterm

Evidence

Is all the means by which a matter subject to review ID proved or disproved. Evidence is an item or information proffered to make the existence of a fact more or less probable. Evidence can take the form of testimony, documents, photographs, videos, voice recordings, DNA testing, or other tangible objects.

Path of Contamination

Police, EMS and fire personnel are trained to sensibly enter crime scenes so that they follow a safe corridor which is where the least evidence is disturbed. This is called establishing a —————

The scene walk through

allows an investigator to develop an initial plan properly identify evidence. The investigator should use all his senses and examine the scene carefully on many different planes of observation.

Transient evidence

at a crime scene which is fragile or at great risk for loss, alteration or destruction.

Things an investigator should not do at a crime scene

An investigator should not eat, drink, smoke,use bathroom and/or use property at a crime scene.

After determining safety, the next primary duty of the first responder is to

secure the scene and not touch anything. The secured area should be large as it can always be readily reduced as applicable.

Causation

Are crimes that include an element of harm, that a relationship exists between the act and the result is the basic legal premise of ————

The Locard principle

is that with contact between two items, there will be an exchange of material

A crime scene

is anywhere evidence may be located which helps to explain a specific event

its own crime scene

when determining potential scenes for investigative purposes for a crime of interpersonal violence, the victim’s body should be treated as ————.

To limit potential loss of evidence a crime scene technician should

establish and follow a path of contamination, limit access to the scene and utilize Personal Protection Equipment PPE.

After the photo placard

the next series of initial photographs taken should be overview photographs then midrange.

Close up photographs scales allow for

a 1:1 ratio reproduction of the photograph and facilitates analysis

A final sketch

should include ALL items on a photo placard plus legend and scale.

A final sketch will not

it will not show measurements but will have a legend and scale.

The primary duty of the first responder

is to Preserve life and ensure safety.

Testimonial evidence

Witness statements, victim reports and spontaneous utterances are examples of

Physical evidence

can establish the identity of a person associated with the crime.

Trier of fact

is the determination of guilt or innocence that is left up to is the judge/ magistrate or jury of peers

Before any evidence is collected

an investigator must decide if there is legal standing to be on scene or if a search warrant is required. Applicable case law must be considered

A criminalist considered tier

will analyze and interpret the physical evidence

Plus One Theory

is an officer safety dictum that is applicable to crime scene investigations.

A detective is not

not considered a first responder. Police and EMS are. Detectives are involved in the second tier of an investigation process.

Paper

is the preferred packaging material used in evidence preservation packaging.

A Crime Scene Log

is any person’s Arrival/Departure time(s) from the scene.

Photographs

must be a true and accurate representation of the crime scene

The present highly efficient science of homicide investigation

is in large measures due to the trail blazed by Frances Glessner Lee and her efforts including the Nutshell Dioramas. It is a trail marked by Truth AccuracyEfficiency and Scientific Integrity.

Frances Glessner Lee

built the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death which were purpose-built to be used as police training tools to help crime scene investigators to learn the art and science of detailed forensics-based detection.

The first method of processing items for fingerprints

is Visual Inspection. Three types of fingerprints found at a crime scene are Patent, Plastic and Latent.

Powder dusting

is the most common physical method of processing fingerprints .

The TWO (2) underlying premises of why FINGERPRINT identification

can be used as a standard for personal identification is that fingerprints have been found to be unique and Permanent

Crime Scene Protocols Upon Notification of call/response step 1

1) Start Notes (continue through include times!)

Crime Scene Protocols step 2

2) Debrief at scene

Crime Scene Protocol Step 3

3) Legal authority to be at scene/Identify the scene(s)

Crime Scene Protocol Step 4

4) Secure the scene(s)/ Large-can always reduce

Crime Scene Protocol Step 5

5) Conduct Hand in Pocket Walk Thru (Charlie Brown/ Detective)

Path of Contamination

Make Plan (Flexible) Plan for worse hope for best!

“Listen to scene” Up/Down; Alternate light sources;

Crime Scene Protocol Step 6

6) Photograph Scene (1st title card)

Overview, Midrange, Close-up

Photo again, with Evidence marked

And again with scales and or advantageous lighting etc

Crime Scene Protocol Step 7

7) Sketch (Map)

Crime Scene Protocol Step 8

8) Collect Evidence

PPE

Photograph as you collect

proper packaging Paper is preferred.

WHAT TO COLLECT

Evidence that proves factual points PLUS ONE THEORY; LOCARD

Cause/effect

Elements of the Crime(s)

Who, What, Where, When, Why, How