Crime Scene Investigation and Sexual Offense

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary objective of a criminal investigation discussed in the lesson plan?

To identify the suspect

To conduct a preliminary investigation

To provide an overview of the investigation process (correct)

To obtain physical evidence

What is the significance of a suspect being a 'Secretor' in a criminal investigation?

It influences the interviewing technique used

It affects the type of physical evidence that may be present (correct)

It has no importance in a criminal investigation

It determines the suspect's alibi

What is the initial duty of the first responding officer at the scene of a sexual assault incident?

To secure the crime scene (correct)

To interview the victim

To arrest the suspect

To collect physical evidence

What type of information should the first responding officer or investigator obtain during the initial investigation of a sexual assault?

Various types of information, including witness statements and physical evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to locate and identify physical evidence that may be present at the scene of a sexual assault?

Conduct a thorough search of the crime scene Signup and view all the answers

What is the best mode of transportation for taking a sexual assault victim to the hospital during non-emergency and non-life-threatening circumstances?

Ambulance Signup and view all the answers

Where should the interview of a sexual assault victim ideally take place?

At a hospital Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of a victim rape kit?

To locate trace evidence left by the suspect Signup and view all the answers

Who performs a suspect rape kit?

Crime scene officer or investigating officer Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the population is eliminated as potential suspects if a secretor is identified?

30% Signup and view all the answers

What is the first duty of a first responding officer in a sexual assault case?

Provide aid to the victim Signup and view all the answers

What information should the officer obtain from the victim as quickly as possible?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to canvass the area around the crime scene?

To obtain witness statements Signup and view all the answers

What type of evidence is commonly found at sexual assault crime scenes?

Fingerprints Signup and view all the answers

What should the officer do if the victim is in a medical emergency?

Convey the victim to a hospital Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a thorough and complete police report in a sexual assault case?

To provide a permanent record of the incident Signup and view all the answers

Where should sterile swabs be obtained from in a vehicle?

From vinyl seats or cut carpet Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of seizing the victim's clothing?

To gather evidence of the crime Signup and view all the answers

What can be determined from saliva on a cigarette butt?

The suspect's secretor status Signup and view all the answers

Why should the victim be transported to the hospital by the reporting officer or investigator?

To continue interviewing the victim during transport Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the 'Two Interview Process' with the victim?

To gather detailed information about the crime Signup and view all the answers

Where should the first interview with the victim take place?

At the location where the assault occurred Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered when interviewing the victim at their residence?

The location of the interview Signup and view all the answers

What should be discussed with hospital personnel during the interview?

The victim's injuries and evidence found Signup and view all the answers

Why should the investigator obtain the victim's rape kit from the hospital?

To secure the evidence and properly handle and submit it Signup and view all the answers

What type of information should be gathered during the initial interview with the victim?

Basic information about the crime, suspect descriptions, and evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in locating evidence at a residential structure or other building?

Walk around the entire structure and locate point of entry and exit. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a complete and thorough police report?

For the benefit of follow-up investigators and to document facts for future use. Signup and view all the answers

Where should the entire vehicle be taken for processing after a crime?

A location designated by the investigator. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to have a professional interview with the victim before they are transported or 'shut down'?

The victim can be a valuable resource in locating evidence. Signup and view all the answers

In what type of cases may the elements of the crime not be met?

Task force cases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of roping off the area where the assault occurred, plus an extensive additional area, in outside areas?

To preserve evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the web address for law enforcement agencies to report adult victims of human trafficking to the Department of Social Services?

<a href="https://apps.dss.mo.gov/HumanTrafficking/">https://apps.dss.mo.gov/HumanTrafficking/</a> Signup and view all the answers

When must law enforcement agencies notify the Missouri Department of Social Services about a victim of human trafficking?

As soon as possible after the first encounter. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if the incident involves a child under the age of 18?

Contact the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to document evidence or property in the report?

In case evidence or property is located at a later date, it can be seized and used in the investigation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sexual Assault Investigation

Victim and Suspect Rape Kits:
- Victim Rape Kit: performed by medical personnel at a hospital, seized by investigating officer, and conveyed to crime lab; consists of 12 envelopes for trace evidence left by the suspect
- Suspect Rape Kit: performed by crime scene officer or investigating officer, seized and conveyed to crime lab; contains 7 envelopes for packaging evidence, goal is to find trace evidence deposited by the victim
Secretor:
- An individual who secretes their blood type through their saliva, blood, urine, eye fluid, or spit
- These fluids can be typed if enough fluid exists, making it a crucial piece of evidence
- A secretor will eliminate about 30% of the population that is not a secretor
Duty of First Responding Officer:
- Provide aid to the victim, including first aid, ambulance, and hospital care
- Protect the victim from further harm, onlookers, and media
Initial Information Obtained by Officer/Investigator:
- Suspect, vehicle, and time element information from the victim
- Area canvass to gather information from neighbors and onlookers
- Interviews should be professional and complete, while being sensitive to the victim's emotional and mental state
Best Way to Identify Evidence at Crime Scene:
- Have the victim remain at the crime scene if no medical emergency
- If a medical emergency exists, have the victim conveyed to the hospital
- Attempt to interview the victim to determine any items that need to be secured as evidence
Types of Physical Evidence:
- Fingerprints
- Semen
- Blood
- Cigarette butts or tobacco products
- Hair
- Skin of the suspect
- Composite sketch or photo ID of the suspect
Best Mode of Transportation for Victim to Hospital:
- Have the reporting officer or investigator transport the victim if no immediate medical treatment is needed
- Can continue to interview the victim during transport
- Evidence may be lost in an ambulance
- Ambulance personnel will not have to be included as witnesses
Duties of Investigator at Hospital:
- Obtain the victim rape kit from the hospital
- Interview hospital personnel concerning the victim's condition
- Interview the victim in a quiet room or area where nobody else is present
Interview Environment with Victim:
- If interviewing the victim at their residence, do not interview in a bedroom or area where the assault took place
- Always interview the victim without other family members or friends present
- If interviewing the victim at the hospital, try to use a quiet room or area where nobody else is present
The Two-Interview Process:
- First interview at the location where the assault occurred, to gather basic information and evidence
- Second interview to be conducted at the hospital or other location, for a complete and in-depth interview
Three Types of Locations where Sexual Assaults Most Commonly Occur:
- Residential structures or other buildings
- Vehicles
- Outside areas (parks, common ground areas, etc.)
Process for Locating Evidence:
- Residential structures and other buildings: walk around the entire structure, locate point of entry and exit, and look for property or items belonging to the victim or suspect
- Vehicles: entire vehicle and area around the vehicle is a crime scene, look for evidence around the vehicle
- Outside areas: have the victim point out the area where the assault occurred, rope off the area, and search extensively
Reasons for a Complete and Thorough Report:
- For the benefit of follow-up investigators
- Facts documented for future use
- For the prosecutor, to decide on information
- For courtroom testimony
- May be used in task force rape cases
Reporting Human Trafficking:
- Report adult victims of human trafficking to the Missouri Department of Social Services
- Report human trafficking victims under the age of 18 to the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline

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Description

This quiz covers the primary objectives and procedures of conducting a criminal investigation, including the main objectives and steps of a preliminary investigation. It also focuses on sexual offense investigation.