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Questions and Answers
What is the first priority in responding to a crime scene?
What is the first priority in responding to a crime scene?
Why is it important to separate witnesses at a crime scene?
Why is it important to separate witnesses at a crime scene?
What is used during the scanning of the crime scene?
What is used during the scanning of the crime scene?
What does the sketch of the crime scene represent?
What does the sketch of the crime scene represent?
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How do investigators ensure thorough evidence collection?
How do investigators ensure thorough evidence collection?
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What is the purpose of using evidence markers?
What is the purpose of using evidence markers?
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What is the function of a forensic photographer at a crime scene?
What is the function of a forensic photographer at a crime scene?
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What should be done after photographing the evidence?
What should be done after photographing the evidence?
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What is the purpose of using disposable gloves when handling evidence?
What is the purpose of using disposable gloves when handling evidence?
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How should evidence be packaged to maintain its integrity?
How should evidence be packaged to maintain its integrity?
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What does the chain of custody ensure?
What does the chain of custody ensure?
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What should be done if evidence must be processed after collection?
What should be done if evidence must be processed after collection?
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What is a bindle used for?
What is a bindle used for?
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What is essential to include in the chain of custody log?
What is essential to include in the chain of custody log?
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Why must evidence remain unmoved until documentation is completed?
Why must evidence remain unmoved until documentation is completed?
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What happens if the evidence seal is broken?
What happens if the evidence seal is broken?
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What is essential for a criminal laboratory to function effectively?
What is essential for a criminal laboratory to function effectively?
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Which group is responsible for collecting and documenting evidence at a crime scene?
Which group is responsible for collecting and documenting evidence at a crime scene?
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What is the primary function of the chain of custody in forensic investigations?
What is the primary function of the chain of custody in forensic investigations?
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Which step in crime scene investigation involves documenting the details of the scene?
Which step in crime scene investigation involves documenting the details of the scene?
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Who is usually the first to arrive at a crime scene?
Who is usually the first to arrive at a crime scene?
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What is the main goal during the 'Searching the Scene' step of a crime scene investigation?
What is the main goal during the 'Searching the Scene' step of a crime scene investigation?
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What does separating witnesses achieve at a crime scene?
What does separating witnesses achieve at a crime scene?
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Just as a car needs fuel to run, criminal laboratories also need ______ to run.
Just as a car needs fuel to run, criminal laboratories also need ______ to run.
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The documentation that records the sequence of custody and control of evidence is known as the ______ of evidence.
The documentation that records the sequence of custody and control of evidence is known as the ______ of evidence.
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The first officer arriving at the crime scene must preserve and protect the ______ as much as possible.
The first officer arriving at the crime scene must preserve and protect the ______ as much as possible.
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During the crime scene investigation, investigators follow steps such as securing the scene and ______ witnesses.
During the crime scene investigation, investigators follow steps such as securing the scene and ______ witnesses.
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Before evidence can be used, its presence must be recognized at the ______.
Before evidence can be used, its presence must be recognized at the ______.
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Priority should be given to obtaining medical assistance for individuals in need and to arresting the ______.
Priority should be given to obtaining medical assistance for individuals in need and to arresting the ______.
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Every individual who enters the scene must be documented in ______ as well as the time and date they entered and exited.
Every individual who enters the scene must be documented in ______ as well as the time and date they entered and exited.
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Witnesses must not be allowed to talk to one another to avoid ______ each other’s accounts.
Witnesses must not be allowed to talk to one another to avoid ______ each other’s accounts.
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A trained forensic photographer will photograph the evidence that has been ______.
A trained forensic photographer will photograph the evidence that has been ______.
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Physical evidence can be anything from massive objects to ______ traces.
Physical evidence can be anything from massive objects to ______ traces.
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Evidence can be used to exclusively convict a defendant.
Evidence can be used to exclusively convict a defendant.
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The chain of custody ensures that evidence maintains its integrity during transfer and analysis.
The chain of custody ensures that evidence maintains its integrity during transfer and analysis.
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Crime scene investigators do not need to separate witnesses at a scene.
Crime scene investigators do not need to separate witnesses at a scene.
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The first officer arriving at the scene is responsible for sketching the crime scene.
The first officer arriving at the scene is responsible for sketching the crime scene.
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Forensic science begins at the crime scene with the recognition of evidence.
Forensic science begins at the crime scene with the recognition of evidence.
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All unauthorized persons must be allowed to enter the crime scene for documentation purposes.
All unauthorized persons must be allowed to enter the crime scene for documentation purposes.
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Witnesses are separated at a crime scene to prevent them from influencing each other's accounts.
Witnesses are separated at a crime scene to prevent them from influencing each other's accounts.
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The sketch created during a crime scene investigation should not align with the photographs taken.
The sketch created during a crime scene investigation should not align with the photographs taken.
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A quick scan of the crime scene is performed before marking evidence with evidence markers.
A quick scan of the crime scene is performed before marking evidence with evidence markers.
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Physical evidence collected from a crime scene can include only large objects.
Physical evidence collected from a crime scene can include only large objects.
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Study Notes
Investigative Processes: Crime Scene Investigation
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CSI Basics: Criminal labs need evidence to operate, and evidence can make or break a case. Evidence is used to convict, exonerate, or prove a defendant.
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CSI Starts at the Scene: Evidence presence must be recognized at the crime scene for it to be usable. Forensic science begins at the crime scene. Proper preservation is crucial. If the investigator can't properly recognize, preserve, or perform a lab examination, the evidence is useless. Proper training is key for competent performance at crime scenes.
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Crime Scene Personnel: The following personnel are typically at the crime scene:
- First responders (law enforcement, paramedics, fire fighters)
- Crime scene investigators (document scene, collect evidence)
- Medical examiners/coroners (determine cause of death)
- Detectives (investigate leads, interview witnesses)
- Specialists (entomologists, psychologists, anthropologists, sketch artists)
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Chain of Custody: Investigators follow steps to ensure evidence is found, secured, collected, and maintained throughout the process from crime scene to court. The chronological documentation is crucial and is called the chain of custody. It records custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of physical and electronic evidence.
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Steps of CSI: The investigative process includes:
- Securing the scene (priority to medical, arresting, exclusion of unauthorized).
- Separating witnesses.
- Scanning the scene.
- Seeing (photographing) the scene.
- Sketching the scene.
- Searching the scene (thorough search for all evidence).
- Securing and collecting evidence (handling, preserving, packaging).
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Securing the Crime Scene: The first officer to arrive must preserve and protect the crime scene, prioritizing medical assistance and suspect arrest. All unauthorized personnel should be excluded after ensuring everyone's safety. Ropes/barricades are common methods. Individuals entering need documentation (time, date, purpose).
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Separating Witnesses: Witnesses should not speak to each other. This prevents influence on testimony.
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Scanning the Scene: Investigators first do a quick scan of the crime scene to identify and mark evidence. This allows for more efficient note-taking later.
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Seeing/Photographing the Scene: A trained photographer takes photographs of marked evidence. Any new evidence found is also photographed.
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Sketching the Scene: A rough sketch is made to show the dimensions and location of the evidence. The sketch should align with photos and evidence markers.
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Searching the Scene: Investigators thoroughly search the scene, using a planned strategy, to locate all evidence.
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Securing and Collecting Evidence: Physical evidence (massive to microscopic) must be preserved in its original state. Evidence is handled carefully and wrapped separately to avoid contamination.
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Packaging Evidence: Packaging differs based on evidence type and its needs.
- Small items: bindles (druggist's fold)
- Larger items: paper bags or wrapping
- Fragile/dangerous items: specialized packaging (tubes, boxes)
- Items needing special protection (must be refrigerated or protected from environmental damage) require specific procedures. Arson evidence needs vapor-proof containers.
- Evidence is packaged in a way that preserves it's condition.
- Procedures need to be followed for evidence security (using security tape, signatures)
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Chain of Custody Continued: The person handling the evidence needs full documentation in a log. The evidence must be moved (to a lab for instance) in a new container with a new seal, to maintain integrity and prevent tampering.
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Tiny Evidence: Tiny evidence is placed in a bindle/druggist's fold.
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Next Steps: Crime scene evidence is sent to a lab. Each person handling the evidence is documented on the chain-of-custody log to prove the unaltered chain.
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Additional Considerations: Special procedures are used for vulnerable and dangerous evidence like blood, firearms, sharp objects, etc.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of crime scene investigation in this quiz. Learn about the importance of evidence, crime scene personnel, and preservation techniques crucial for forensic science. Test your knowledge on the roles and responsibilities at a crime scene.
