Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why is it important to separate involved people at a crime scene?
Why is it important to separate involved people at a crime scene?
What should you do with witnesses who may try to leave the scene?
What should you do with witnesses who may try to leave the scene?
What should you document in your notes about the people involved in the crime scene?
What should you document in your notes about the people involved in the crime scene?
Why should you ask the victim or complainant to name potential witnesses of the incident?
Why should you ask the victim or complainant to name potential witnesses of the incident?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you do if separate rooms are not available to separate involved people?
What should you do if separate rooms are not available to separate involved people?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do multiple witnesses who have experienced the same event never recall the same details?
Why do multiple witnesses who have experienced the same event never recall the same details?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you tell witnesses and involved people at the crime scene?
What should you tell witnesses and involved people at the crime scene?
Signup and view all the answers
Where can you place involved people to ensure they are in a controlled area and separated from each other?
Where can you place involved people to ensure they are in a controlled area and separated from each other?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary consideration when determining the crime scene perimeter?
What is the primary consideration when determining the crime scene perimeter?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of establishing a single access point for authorized personnel?
What is the purpose of establishing a single access point for authorized personnel?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it easier to reduce the size of a crime scene perimeter rather than enlarge it?
Why is it easier to reduce the size of a crime scene perimeter rather than enlarge it?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be done to protect a crime scene?
What should be done to protect a crime scene?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you do when securing a crime scene?
What should you do when securing a crime scene?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of a follow-up investigation?
What is the primary purpose of a follow-up investigation?
Signup and view all the answers
Why should you identify the pieces of evidence farthest from the center of the crime scene?
Why should you identify the pieces of evidence farthest from the center of the crime scene?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the first step in initiating a follow-up investigation?
What is the first step in initiating a follow-up investigation?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be used to block off the crime scene area?
What should be used to block off the crime scene area?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a lead in a follow-up investigation?
What is a lead in a follow-up investigation?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you do before allowing anyone to enter a crime scene?
What should you do before allowing anyone to enter a crime scene?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of reviewing the list of victims, witnesses, and suspects?
What is the purpose of reviewing the list of victims, witnesses, and suspects?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of conducting a criminal history check?
What is the purpose of conducting a criminal history check?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of reviewing listed evidence?
What is the purpose of reviewing listed evidence?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of identifying witnesses who were not available for an interview?
What is the purpose of identifying witnesses who were not available for an interview?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common source of leads in a follow-up investigation?
What is a common source of leads in a follow-up investigation?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of evidence should be photographed first at a crime scene?
What type of evidence should be photographed first at a crime scene?
Signup and view all the answers
Why should a scale or identifier be placed close to the evidence?
Why should a scale or identifier be placed close to the evidence?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a scale or identifier that can be used in crime scene photography?
What is an example of a scale or identifier that can be used in crime scene photography?
Signup and view all the answers
Why should a person be photographed at a crime scene?
Why should a person be photographed at a crime scene?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be considered when taking photographs of injuries on external genital organs?
What should be considered when taking photographs of injuries on external genital organs?
Signup and view all the answers
Why should photographs of individuals be taken in an area that affords privacy?
Why should photographs of individuals be taken in an area that affords privacy?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be applied when documenting injuries and evidence on people?
What should be applied when documenting injuries and evidence on people?
Signup and view all the answers
Can a suspect refuse to be photographed if they have injuries?
Can a suspect refuse to be photographed if they have injuries?
Signup and view all the answers
How should you refer to the judge during a trial?
How should you refer to the judge during a trial?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you avoid doing when responding to questions from the prosecutor or defense attorney?
What should you avoid doing when responding to questions from the prosecutor or defense attorney?
Signup and view all the answers
Why should you not address the defense attorney as a public defender?
Why should you not address the defense attorney as a public defender?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when someone makes an objection during your testimony?
What happens when someone makes an objection during your testimony?
Signup and view all the answers
Why should you remain objective during your testimony?
Why should you remain objective during your testimony?
Signup and view all the answers
What should you do if you or a close relative is the victim of a crime?
What should you do if you or a close relative is the victim of a crime?
Signup and view all the answers
How should you respond to questions from the defense attorney?
How should you respond to questions from the defense attorney?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of an attorney's questions during a trial?
What is the purpose of an attorney's questions during a trial?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of evidence can be found in mud, soil, or another pliable material?
What type of evidence can be found in mud, soil, or another pliable material?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of casting certain impressions at a crime scene?
What is the primary purpose of casting certain impressions at a crime scene?
Signup and view all the answers
What can be transferred to create patent prints on surfaces?
What can be transferred to create patent prints on surfaces?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of prints are generally invisible to the naked eye?
What type of prints are generally invisible to the naked eye?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it essential to photograph bite marks as soon as possible?
Why is it essential to photograph bite marks as soon as possible?
Signup and view all the answers
What can be used to create a plastic print?
What can be used to create a plastic print?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of examining submitted evidence at a crime lab?
What is the purpose of examining submitted evidence at a crime lab?
Signup and view all the answers
Why are latent prints valuable in a crime scene investigation?
Why are latent prints valuable in a crime scene investigation?
Signup and view all the answers
What can provide dental evidence in the form of bite mark impressions?
What can provide dental evidence in the form of bite mark impressions?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it essential to follow agency policies and procedures for processing damaged surfaces?
Why is it essential to follow agency policies and procedures for processing damaged surfaces?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Crime Scene Investigation
- Ensure the crime occurred within your jurisdiction before conducting an investigation.
- Secure the crime scene and look for sources of information and evidence.
- Determine if the crime scene is life-threatening or threatening to officer safety.
Determining the Crime Scene
- The size of the crime scene depends on the type of crime, evidence, and location of evidence.
- Use personal observations and statements from victims and witnesses to determine the extent of the scene.
- Crime scene perimeters should be larger rather than smaller to keep crowds away from evidence.
Securing the Crime Scene
- Attempt to locate and identify the point of the suspect's entry and exit from the crime scene.
- Identify the pieces of evidence farthest from the center of the crime scene.
- Establish boundaries for the crime scene and guard against unnecessary entrance by blocking off the area with crime scene tape.
- Determine a single access point for authorized personnel.
Protecting a Crime Scene
- Do not allow unauthorized removal or alteration of any evidence.
- Protect the scene until it can be photographed and documented.
- Ask the victim or complainant to name potential witnesses and their roles.
Identifying Witnesses
- Separate involved people, including victims, complainants, and witnesses.
- Keep them from discussing the incident with each other until interviews are complete.
- Place people in separate locations, away from the crime scene, to maintain the integrity of their statements.
Photographing Evidence
- Photograph specific items, such as blood drops, weapons, or tire marks, with a scale or identifier.
- Place the scale or identifier close to the item to avoid creating optical illusions.
- Use a scale or identifier to document the extent of injuries on people.
Initiating a Follow-up Investigation
- Review the preliminary report to identify investigative leads.
- Contact witnesses, victims, and potential suspects.
- Review evidence and locate additional evidence.
- Write a capias request, probable cause affidavit, or arrest warrant.
Analyzing Incident Reports
- Review the records of the initial investigation and establish a case file.
- Compare the list of victims, witnesses, and suspects with the case information.
- Review listed evidence and determine if evidence needs further processing or examination.
Identifying Leads
- Identify witnesses who were not available for an interview at the time of the incident.
- Identify collected evidence that needs further processing or examination.
- Conduct a criminal history check to determine if the suspect has fingerprints on file.
Following Leads
- Leads come from various sources, such as anonymous tips, confidential sources, social media, and forensic analysis.
- Always use plain, professional language when following leads.
- Avoid using slang, police jargon, and unprofessional language.
Testifying in Court
- Use proper language and titles, such as "your Honor," "ma'am," and "sir."
- Face the judge while responding to the judge's questions and face the jury when responding to the prosecutor or defense attorney.
- Avoid displaying personal interest in the case and maintain a professional demeanor.
- Provide accurate and complete testimony of the available facts, not to steer the case.
Direct and Indirect Evidence
- Direct evidence: admission by the driver that they were speeding, speed measurement device results, and testimony from eyewitnesses who saw the driver speeding
- Indirect or circumstantial evidence: requires an inference or presumption to establish a fact rather than personal knowledge or observation, e.g. eyewitness testimony that the defendant entered the victim's home around the time of the crime
Types of Evidence
- Testimonial evidence: a witness statement that tends to prove or disprove facts about the case, includes testimonies of law enforcement officers, experts, and other witnesses
- Physical or real evidence: actual objects offered to prove or disprove facts about a case, e.g. trace evidence, biological and touch DNA evidence, impression evidence, firearms evidence, electronic evidence, chemical, or toxicological evidence, and questioned documents evidence
- Documentary evidence: written or recorded information that supports a fact or claim
Collecting and Preserving Physical Evidence
- Correctly identify, protect, collect, preserve, transport, and analyze physical evidence to reduce the likelihood of delivering false results
- Recognize threats to the evidence and determine the appropriate method of protection, e.g. protecting evidence from weather elements in outdoor crime scenes
- Process physical evidence in a separate lesson
Securing a Crime Scene
- Determine how to position authorized personnel, crime scene tape, and natural barriers
- Instruct people to move behind the crime scene tape, advising that refusal may result in arrest
- Determine if the location is public or private property and establish legal authority to secure and protect the crime scene
Separating Victims, Witnesses, and Suspects
- Designate a point of entry and exit and assign an officer to maintain a crime scene log
- Prevent witnesses from influencing each other's statements and separate family members if necessary
- Be empathetic when assessing whether separating family members is necessary, e.g. in child abuse incidents
Providing First Aid and Documenting Evidence
- Responding officers may have to provide emergency first aid and ask fundamental questions about the injury
- Document photographs or sketches of a crime scene and evidence on a person
Searching for and Recognizing Evidence
- Search for evidence based on the type of crime committed, e.g. pry marks on a doorframe or broken windows at a burglary scene
- Use a systematic approach or pattern, such as the grid or spiral search pattern
- Look for evidence of illegal entry, footprints, shoe impressions, tire impressions, and bite marks
Impression Evidence
- Footprints, shoe impressions, and tire impressions can link a suspect to a crime when they match an object in the suspect's possession
- Teeth can provide dental evidence in the form of bite mark impressions that can lead to the identity of the suspect
- Photograph and cast impressions, such as shoe or tire impressions, to preserve them as evidence
Fingerprints
- Consider all objects at a crime scene as possible sources of fingerprints
- Patent prints: visible fingerprints formed from friction ridges or corrugated lines on fingers
- Plastic prints: molded or embedded fingerprints created by touching an impressionable surface
- Latent prints: invisible fingerprints resulting from body residues left behind when friction ridges make contact with a surface, can be identified by crime lab analysis
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Learn the basics of crime scene investigation, including securing the scene, determining jurisdiction, and identifying sources of evidence. Understand how to assess the size of the crime scene and prioritize officer safety.
