Canadian Policing and Forensic Sciences Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a duty of a municipal police force?

Enforcing municipal bylaws

Laying charges and participating in prosecutions

Apprehending criminals

Providing investigative services to the coroner's offices (correct)

Which province does NOT have its own provincial police force and instead relies on the RCMP?

Ontario (correct)

Manitoba

Nova Scotia

New Brunswick

What is the main purpose of the First Nations Policing Policy?

To create a separate police force for First Nations communities that is independent of provincial and federal forces

To provide police services tailored to the specific needs of native communities (correct)

To decrease the amount of funding dedicated to First Nations policing

To establish a unified national police force for all of Canada

What is the primary responsibility of the RCMP in Canada?

Enforcing federal laws and providing provincial policing in most provinces and territories (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a specialized squad within a municipal police force called?

Gang Crime Unit (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the OPP?

Enforcing federal laws across the province (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the division of police forces in Canada into federal, provincial, and municipal levels?

To ensure a clear division of responsibilities and jurisdiction (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a specialized squad within a municipal police force?

Highway Patrol Unit (B) Signup and view all the answers

How can plant tissue and animal hairs be useful in investigating a crime?

They can be used to narrow down the pool of suspects. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of collecting DNA samples during a sexual assault investigation?

To identify the perpetrator. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an autopsy in a criminal investigation?

To identify the victim's cause of death. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between visible and latent fingerprints?

Visible fingerprints are easily seen, while latent fingerprints require special techniques to be made visible. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of information can footprints provide in a criminal investigation?

The suspect's height and weight. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of collecting fibres at a crime scene?

To link a suspect to the scene. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a "sexual assault kit" used for?

To collect evidence from the victim that may link a suspect to the crime. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important purpose of collecting forensic evidence?

To provide evidence to support the prosecution. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of a patrol officer when arriving at a crime scene?

Securing the crime scene and assisting the injured (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of establishing a perimeter around a crime scene?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a police log at a crime scene?

It serves as a written record of officer observations and actions (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of police officer is specifically trained in evidence collection and preservation techniques?

Scenes of crime officer (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for preserving a crime scene?

To allow for a thorough investigation and collection of evidence (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is contamination in the context of a crime scene?

The destruction or alteration of physical evidence (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a criminal investigations bureau officer in a crime scene investigation?

To conduct interviews with witnesses and suspects (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason for a police officer to create a police log at a crime scene?

To document the details of all evidence collected (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is considered more important than evidence obtained through witnesses’ statements?

Physical evidence (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which scientific technique is primarily used to analyze evidence in a criminal investigation?

Forensic science (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following substances is NOT commonly used for DNA testing in criminal investigations?

Water (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting an autopsy in forensic science?

To determine how and when a person died (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods is NOT one of the common techniques for DNA testing?

GC-MS (C) Signup and view all the answers

How can blood spatter analysis assist in understanding the events of a crime?

It can help determine the type of weapon used. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the Modified Griess test used for in forensic investigations?

Detecting gunshot residue on clothing (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the Sodium Rhodizonate Test?

A test for lead residue from gunshot (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of tire tread print found at a crime scene?

Imprinted (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of information can be determined by the angle of a gunshot?

The shooter's height (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of caliber testing?

To match a gun to a bullet or casing (B) Signup and view all the answers

How can a crowbar used to break into a building be identified as the weapon used?

By comparing the markings on the crowbar to those on the door (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of analyzing wound patterns?

To determine the type of weapon used (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the type of tire tread print that is not visible to the naked eye?

Latent (C) Signup and view all the answers

What kind of information can be gathered from analyzing tire tread prints?

The make and model of the car (A) Signup and view all the answers

How are fibres used in crime investigations?

To identify a suspect's clothing (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Protecting a Crime Scene and Collecting Evidence

A crime scene is the location where a crime occurred.
Protecting a crime scene involves establishing boundaries (center and perimeter) to prevent contamination.
This protection allows for a thorough search of the scene and ensures collected evidence is admissible in court.
Officers will call an ambulance and assist injured people at the scene, call reinforcements to eliminate hazards.
Officers must continue to search the crime scene even if witnesses say that suspects have left.

Canada's Police Forces

Canada's police forces cost approximately 16 billion dollars in 2019.
There are over 66,000 officers at three levels (federal, provincial, and municipal).
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) was formed in 1873.
The RCMP is the federal police force in the territories.
The RCMP also serves as provincial police in all provinces and territories except Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador; however, they can also serve as municipal police.
The RCMP is responsible for all federal law under the Criminal Code.
Their responsibilities include Border Integrity, Drugs and Organized Crime, International Policing, and Financial Crime.
Provincial police forces include the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) as the largest force.
Municipal police have jurisdiction solely in their specific towns and cities.

Investigating a Crime Scene

Four types of police officers investigate a crime scene:
- Patrol officer—has a beat and regularly checks the area; the first to arrive; secures scene with yellow tape.
- Scene of crime officer—trained in evidence collection and preservation techniques.
- Criminal identification officer—searches, examines, collects physical evidence, and sends relevant evidence to a lab.
- Criminal investigations bureau officer—a plainclothes detective with specialized experience.

Arriving on the Scene

A police officer's role upon arriving at a scene includes:
- Assist the injured
- Call for reinforcements to eliminate hazards.
- Search for perpetrators.
- Secure the scene: establishing the center of the crime scene and a perimeter.
- Avoid contamination and create a police log.

Evidence Contamination

Evidence can be contaminated if mishandled.
Contamination involves loss, destruction, or alteration of physical evidence.
Officers must protect and preserve evidence.
A police log (written record of an officer's observations) helps recall events, especially for trial testimony.

Crime Scene Recording

Recording involves:
- Exact measurements
- Photographs
- Labelling of evidence

Physical Evidence

Physical evidence includes any object, impression, or body element used to prove or disprove facts related to an offence.
It is more important than witness statements.
Forensic science uses biochemical and other scientific techniques to analyze evidence.
A pathologist performs autopsies to determine how and when a person died.
Scientists specialize in firearms analysis to identify the type of gun used in a crime.

DNA Testing

DNA testing has only been used in criminal investigations for the past 20 years.
The technology has improved significantly.
The most common sample used is blood, along with hair shafts, mucus, skin, saliva, and semen.
DNA testing is still slow and expensive.
It is often used to affirm that a suspect is the perpetrator.

Blood Spatter and Typing

Blood spatter patterns reveal details about the crime, like whether an artery was severed, if the person was bludgeoned, stabbed, or had their neck sliced open.
Scientists use trigonometry and calculus to determine the perpetrator's height.

Gunshot Residue

When a gun is fired, minute amounts of explosive primer, propellant, and metal cartridge particles are sprayed onto the individual holding the gun.
Two types of gunshot residue (GSR) tests exist:
- Modified Griess test for clothing (nitrate residue).
- Sodium Rhodizonate test (lead residue—turns pink then blue).
- Distance Determination Analysis—calculates factors related to gunshot distance.

Angle of Gunshots

The angle of a gunshot can indicate where and how tall the shooter was.
Technicians use laser sights, rulers, and dowels to determine the bullets' trajectory, to possibly rule out a suspect or identify someone as the shooter.

Caliber Testing

Caliber testing matches markings on bullets and casings with the corresponding gun to determine if it was the murder weapon.
Testing involves firing a gun into a testing chamber, retrieving the bullet, and matching the grooves.

Stab Patterns/Wound Patterns

Every tool (including weapons) leaves behind markings and impressions, especially with weapons like serrated knives that can leave jagged wounds.
Wound patterns are photographed, and sometimes castings are made for later comparisons with possible weapons.

Tire Treads

Tire treads left in dirt, mud, or snow on a crime scene provide information such as the car's make, model, wear condition, and the load it was carrying.
Three types of tire prints exist:
- Visible: seen by the naked eye.
- 3D: impression made from plastic or plaster.
- Latent: not seen by the naked eye made from static electricity.
Technicians measure, photograph, and create models of the prints to identify unique characteristics, which are then compared to known tires.

Markings

Markings (for example, from tools or weapons) on a surface indicate what was used (and possible perpetrators).
Markings can be compared to possible weapons (wire cutters, crowbars, etc.) to potentially determine the perpetrator.

Fibers

Fibers transferred between clothing or objects (even from carpet) can be used as clues at a crime scene.
Fiber samples are collected to determine their composition and origin.
If the suspect has access to items with those same fibers, it may indicate they were at the crime scene.

Sexual Assault Kits

A series of tests conducted at facilities (clinics, hospitals, doctors offices) to collect evidence.
Commonly referred to as rape kits, SAFE kits, or PERK kits.
Evidence collected includes photographs, swabs, DNA samples, fingernail scrapings, clothing, and other physical evidence.

Fingerprints

Two types of fingerprints exist:
- Visible: seen by the naked eye (in dirt, oil, or blood).
- Latent: not easily seen by the naked eye (require special techniques to make visible).
Visible and latent fingerprints can give investigators critical information.

Plants/Animals

Like fibers, plant and animal matter can transfer between people, and people to the crime scene.
Identifying samples from these materials (hair, plant tissue) can narrow the pool of suspects.

Footprints

Footprints (visible or latent) can be measured; photographed; or impressions made of them.
Footprints provide information like height, weight, how the person walks.
Latent prints can be made visible by dust using electrostatic powder.

Autopsy

A full examination of the inside and outside of a body to determine the cause of death and identify possible evidence.
A medical examiner or pathologist conducts autopsies.
During an autopsy, the exterior of the body is photographed, hair combed, fingernails scraped; a Y-incision is made.
Organs are weighed and tested for toxins.
Injuries and bullets are examined and documented..
Bullets are sent to ballistics for further testing.

Examples of Physical Evidence

A chart showing various examples of physical evidence, categorized as objects, body materials, and impressions.

Real Life CSI

Brief discussion of CSI in real life and a link to further related information.

Forensics and Impressions

Brief Discussion of Forensics and Impressions with links to additional resources.

Great Forensics Website

An online resource providing a simplified guide to forensic science, with various topics.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the structure of police forces in Canada, including municipal, provincial, and federal roles. Explore the purpose of specialized squads, the importance of evidence in criminal investigations, and key forensic techniques used in solving crimes. This quiz covers essential concepts relevant to policing and forensic science in Canada.