unit 1b forensics

Testimonial Evidence

statements given to

police as well as court testimony by people who witnessed an event.

Direct Evidence

what is said in court, under oath, by a competent witness

Circumstantial Evidence

evidence that requires some reasoning or inference in order to prove a fact.

Physical Evidence

material items that would be present at the crime scene, on the victims, or found in a suspect's possession.

Trace Evidence

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

Whats a way the brain changes our perception

the way we use the 5 senses and create things that arent really there.

Witnesses are often affected by:

emotion, amount of people, activity, drugs, and other witnesses

When was the Innocence project founded

1992

What is the Innocence Project?

exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing

Steps to being a good observer

Observe Systematically, Turn off filters, leave final data until later, Document.

Crime Scene

The location where a crime has been committed

Primary Crime Scene

The original location of a crime or accident

Secondary Crime Scene

An alternate location where additional evidence may be found

Suspect

Person thought to be capable of committing a crime.

Accomplice

a person who helps another commit a crime

Alibi

Statement of where a suspect was at the time of a crime.

Who typically arrives first at a crime scene?

Police

What is one responsibility of the police at a crime scene?

Securing the scene so no evidence is destroyed

What is another responsibility of the police at a crime scene?

Detaining persons of interest in the crime

CSI

documents the crime scene in detail and collects any physical evidence.

District Attorney

present to help determine if any search warrants are required to proceed and obtains those warrants from a judge.

Medical Examiner

may or may not be present to determine a preliminary cause of death.

Kinds of specialists at a scene

forensic entomologists, anthropologists, or psychologists

what are specialists

may be called in if the evidence requires expert analysis.

What do detectives do with witnesses?

Interview witnesses

Who do detectives consult with during an investigation?

The CSI unit

How do detectives investigate a crime?

By following leads provided by witnesses and physical evidence

Example of Macroscopic Crime Scene

Many Crime scenes, body dumped in field

Example of Microscopic Crime Scene

trace evidence found on the body, gunshot residue, or tire tread marks

Locard Exchange principal

Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, there is always a transfer of material

The 1st S of Crime Scene Investigation

Secure the scene

The 2nd S of Crime Scene Investigation

Separate the witnesses

The 3rd S of Crime Scene Investigation

Scan the scene

The 4th S of Crime Scene Investigation

See the scene

The 5th S of Crime Scene Investigation

sketch the scene

The 6th S of Crime Scene Investigation

search for evidence

The 7th S of Crime Scene Investigation

Securing and collecting evidence

What is needed in all photos of individual evidence?

a ruler

In what instance is evidence admissible in court?

when it is relevant to the case

7 things needed in the crime scene sketch

title, legend, 2 points from immovable objects, numbers, compass, scale, documentation block

Link Method

No Pattern, can be used anywhere

Line Method

straight lines, Large outdoor scenes

Grid Method

follow the line method and then goes perpendicular, large outdoor scenes

Zone Method

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

Spiral Method

may move inward or outward, used when no physical barriers

Wheel Method

Starts at a critical point and goes outward, small circular scenes

Individual Evidence

positively identifies the source of the evidence in question

Class Evidence

not unique and is part of a limited group along with other potential members.

Who determines who can be an expert witness?

The judge

What kind of evidence in NOT admissible in a court of law?

Illegally Obtained Evidence

In order for evidence to be permitted in a court of law it must be:

Relevant, Competent, Fit within Constitutional Constraints, Fit within Statutory Constraints, must not be Hearsay

What is privileged information?

Information that cannot be demanded, even by a court; it is protected by law from evidence

What is Hearsay

statements outside of court by a person not under oath used as proof that the statement was truth.

What is the chain of custody?

a list of all persons who come in possession of an item of evidence

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