Forensics Ch. 2 pt 2

Paper bindle

a folded paper used to hold trace evidence

Primary crime scene

the location where the crime took place

Trace evidence

small but measurable amounts of physical or biological material found at a crime scene

Triangulation

a mathematical method of estimating positions of objects at a location such as a crime scene, given locations of stationary objects

The seven s’s of crime-scene investigation

securing the scene, separating the witnesses, scanning the scene, seeing the scene, sketching the scene, searching for evidence, securing and collecting evidence

The types of photos a crime-scene examiner needs to see the scene

photos of the overall area and close-up photos with and without a measuring ruler

When securing and collecting evidence, liquids and arson remains are stored in

airtight, unbreakable containers

When securing and collecting evidence, moist biological evidence is stored in

breathable containers so the evidence can dry out, reducing the chance of mold contamination

What an evidence log should contain

case number, item inventory number, description of the evidence, name of suspect, name of victim, date and time of recovery, signature of person recovering the evidence, signature of any witnesses present during collection

When a person comes into contact with an object or another person, a cross-transfer of physical evidence can occur

Locard’s Principle of Exchange

The intensity, duration and nature of the entities in contact determine the extent of the transfer

second part of Locard’s Principle

Examples of physical evidence

impressions (fingerprints, footprints, shoe prints, tire impressions, tool marks), glass, soil, fibers, weapons, bullets, shell casings

Examples of biological evidence

DNA in tissue, bodily fluids, hair, plants, pollen, natural fibers

Common situations of staged crime scenes

arson, murder/suicide, burglary

Initially treat all death investigations as

homicide