Week 3 - Crime Scene Investigation

what is the goal of processing a crime scene?

collect and preserve evidence for later analysis and reporting

Datum

a fixed reference point for all three dimensional measurements (should be permanent)

provenience

origin and derivation of an item in 3-dimensional space, in relation to a datum and other items

matrix

material surrounding an object

what are the steps in investigating a crime scene

1. planning 2.preliminary survey 3. systematic search 4. documentation of scene 5. collection + preservation of Evidence 6. final survey 7. submission of evidence to lab 8. reconstructing

what are the three ways a crime scene is reported

by a victim, by a witness, by law enforcement while crime is in progress

what are the order of events after a crime is committed

1. discover the crime scene (Hot vs Cold) 2. first responder 3. CSI team arrives

what is the First responder first goal on crime scene

seals off and tends to injured

Why is the First Officer on scene so crucial to the success of the case

if the context is disturbed, interpretation may be biased or inaccurate

what is a hot search

search crime scene assuming prep is on scene

what is a Cold search

search of crime where perp is gone

when CSI arrives on scene what is the first thing done

Create Plan of Action

how do you precede for a initial scene examination

follow unit protocol and deal with the deceased

who develops a plan of action

lead investigation

why is timing important for Crime Scene processing

evidence can be lost with time

what documentation would be needed for Crime Scene Processing

Chain of Custody for evidence and authorized personnel

what happens during a preliminary survey

cautiously walk scene, photos, identify problem areas, take notes of environmental conditions

what evidence should be collected first

easily damaged or lost evidence

what is the first thing done in a systematic search

video and photos

what is the grid search method look like

what does the line search method look like

what does zone search method look like

what does a spiral zone search look like

what documentation relates to crime scene photography

log of photos taken

what are the 3 kinds of photos

overall , medium , close up (with and without ruler)

what should a sketch of a crime scene include

1. case identifier 2. date, time, and location 3. weather and lighting conditions 4. identify and assignments of personnel 5. dimensions of everything 6. distance between everything 7. compass

what are the 3 major steps in evidence collection

recognition of evidence, collection of evidence, packaging and presentation of evidence

how is evidence packages

approved containers with tamper proof tape

what is the general order for evidence collection

1. tire impression 2. footwear 3. trace evidence (fiber/hairs) 4. blood/ biological fluids 5. latent fingerprints 6. entomology (collection of insect evidence) 7. toolmarks 8. firearms 9 questioned documents

how is evidence authenticated

given a barcode

what would you do once crime scene is released

document time, date, who it was released to and who released it

what are sources of dangerous material at crime scene

inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, injection

who issues regulations about exposure to blood born pathogens (BBP)

the Occupational safety and health organization (OSHA)

what are safety data sheets (SDS)

provide information about the hazards of a particular material

what are examples of PPE

eye protection, foot protection, face protection ect