Forensics: Chapter 3 Vocab

crime scene

any place where evidence may be located and gathered to help explain events

Modus operandi (MO)

the characteristic method of operation of a criminal

line/strip method

method of forming a line, shoulder to shoulder, and walking through an area to search for evidence; works best for large, outdoor scenes

grid method

double line search, officers move parallel to each other and then repeating the sweep from a different direction, forming a grid pattern

zone method

most effective in houses or buildings; teams are assigned rooms or small zones for searching

wheel/ray method

best used in small areas; officers begin at the center of a scene and more outward

spiral method

team members move in a circular or spiral pattern; best used for an area where there are no barriers or walls

accelerant

a flammable substance used to help start a fire

chain of custody

a written record of all people who have had possession of an item of evidence