Criminology Chapter 2: Evidence

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following evidence types would provide the most definitive answer to a particular question about a crime scene?

  • Inclusive Evidence (correct)
  • Exclusive Evidence
  • Circumstantial Evidence
  • Indeterminate Evidence

What is the foundational principle behind Locard's Exchange Principle?

  • Every interaction leaves a trace, making evidence a key to reconstructing events. (correct)
  • All evidence is equally valuable in a criminal investigation.
  • The transfer of evidence is always easily traceable.
  • Physical evidence is more reliable than testimonial evidence in criminal cases.

Which of the following is NOT a core standard used by courts to determine the admissibility of evidence?

  • Daubert Standard
  • Federal Rules of Evidence
  • Exclusionary Rule (correct)
  • Frye Standard

What is the primary difference between direct and circumstantial evidence?

<p>Direct evidence establishes facts directly, while circumstantial evidence requires inferences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of crime scene investigation, which of the following best describes the concept of 'abductive reasoning'?

<p>Using available information to formulate the most likely explanation for an event. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of a crime scene investigation?

<p>To preserve and collect physical evidence that reflects the events of the crime (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential challenge during a crime scene investigation when it comes to determining what evidence is relevant and what is not?

<p>The presence of secondary evidence that could be misleading (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most significant concern associated with video recording at a crime scene?

<p>The potential for tampering with the video footage using editing software (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A crime scene where the initial act occurred is defined as:

<p>A primary crime scene (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of coordinate system used for crime scene documentation?

<p>Quadratic Coordinates (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for sketching a crime scene?

<p>To document the location and position of evidence within the scene (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the biggest challenge in processing a crime scene?

<p>Ensuring the evidence collected accurately reflects the crime (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a scenario where a death's cause is unclear, what type of death is it classified as?

<p>Questionable Death (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which crime scene search pattern is typically used for smaller scenes where linkages in evidence are easier to follow, or large outdoor scenes?

<p>No Pattern (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common practice for documenting evidence at a crime scene?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary tool used for 3D forensic mapping and laser scanning?

<p>LiDAR technology with laser, scanner, and GPS device (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When does the chain of custody for evidence begin?

<p>When evidence is initially documented at a crime scene (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical sequence of events in the evidence management flowchart?

<p>Locate evidence, photograph it, then sketch it, then secure it and transfer custody (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which crime scene search pattern is primarily used for scenes with distinct and well-defined zones?

<p>Zone Pattern (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a preliminary crime scene search and an intensive crime scene search?

<p>The preliminary search is for obvious items of evidence, while the intensive search is for less obvious or overlooked items (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which technology is commonly used for 3D forensic mapping and laser scanning and is based on the reflection of laser light pulses?

<p>LiDAR (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of evidence would a fingerprint found at a crime scene be classified as?

<p>Trace Evidence (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of reliable evidence?

<p>Subjective Interpretation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a possible cause of asphyxia?

<p>Gunshot Wound to the Head (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a virtual autopsy?

<p>To obtain information about the cause of death using non-invasive imaging (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Locard's Principle of Exchange?

<p>It highlights the potential for trace evidence transfer at a crime scene (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which role is responsible for determining if a search warrant is needed at a crime scene?

<p>District Attorney (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the best evidence that a firearm caused a fatal injury?

<p>The presence of a bullet at or near the victim's body (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Locard's Exchange Principle

Every contact leaves a trace, indicating that evidence is created during interactions.

Types of Evidence

Evidence can be inclusive, indeterminate, or exclusive, based on its ability to answer questions.

Frye Standard

Requires scientific methods to be generally accepted by a significant proportion of the scientific community.

Direct vs. Circumstantial Evidence

Direct evidence establishes facts without inference, while circumstantial evidence requires inference.

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Methods of Interpretation

Includes deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning to analyze evidence.

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Crime Scene Fragility

Crime scenes begin to change right after the crime occurs, making preservation critical.

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Objective of Crime Scene Investigation

The goal is to recognize, preserve, and collect evidence related to the crime.

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Types of Crime Scenes

Primary is where the crime happens; Secondary comes after, and Micro is a small part of a scene.

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Initial Investigation Steps

First responders ensure safety, followed by a preliminary survey by CSI, often documented with photos and videos.

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Video Recording in CSI

Standard practice for documenting a crime scene though it raises concerns with editing accuracy.

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Coordinate Systems for Evidence

Triangulation, Baseline, and Polar Coordinates help document a crime scene's layout accurately.

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Sketching a Crime Scene

Creating accurate sketches helps locate and measure objects relative to the scene.

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Forensic Mapping

The use of digital imaging technology and GPS to create crime scene maps, possibly in 3D.

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3D Forensic Mapping

A combination of 3D scanning, mapping technology, LiDAR, and GPS to create detailed images of a crime scene.

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Laser Scanning

A method that sends laser light pulses to capture 3D imaging by detecting reflected signals.

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Crime Scene Search

The process of searching a crime scene for evidence, first for obvious items, then for overlooked details.

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Crime Scene Search Patterns

Various methods for searching crime scenes, such as Line, Grid, Zone, and Spiral patterns.

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Chain of Custody

The process of documenting evidence from collection to court, ensuring its integrity and accountability.

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Questionable Death

A death with unclear circumstances that requires thorough investigation, also known as equivocal death.

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Medico-legal Death Investigator

The first person to respond to a death scene, often overseeing the investigation.

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Evidence Management Flowchart

A systematic plan for handling evidence, including locating, documenting, and transporting it.

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Firearm Injury Characteristics

Missing tissue is surrounded by lead fragments and unburnt powder causes stippling.

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Asphyxia

A condition when oxygen supply to the brain is cut off, possibly leading to unconsciousness or death.

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Hyoid Bone Fracture

A potential injury indicator in cases of strangulation or asphyxia, often tested during autopsy.

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Virtual Autopsies

Noninvasive imaging techniques like X-rays and MRIs used to gather information post-mortem.

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Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)

The process of recognizing, documenting, photographing, and collecting evidence at a crime scene.

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Evidence Reliability

Evidence must be consistent when retested and valid, meaning properly collected and analyzed.

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Trace Evidence

Materials transferred between two entities during contact, such as hair and fingerprints.

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Direct Evidence

Firsthand observations like eyewitness accounts or police recordings, directly supporting a fact.

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Circumstantial Evidence

Indirect evidence that implies a fact without directly proving it, such as finding a weapon.

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Study Notes

Chapter 2: Evidence

  • Edmund Locard (1877-1966) is known for the Locard's Exchange Principle
  • "Every contact leaves a trace." This explains how evidence is created and used to recreate an event.
  • Contact or interaction between people gives evidence, including transfer evidence.
  • Locard established his forensic lab in 1910 and founded the Institute of Criminallistics at the University of Lyon.

Evidence Types

  • Inclusive Evidence: Evidence that answers the question.
  • Indeterminate Evidence: Evidence that does not help answer the question.
  • Exclusive Evidence: Evidence that excludes a possibility, eliminating a possible answer to a question.

Forms of Evidence

  • Testimonial: Evidence recorded from a witness (eyewitness).
  • Physical: Raw material examined by forensic scientists.

Chapter 3: Crime Scene Investigation

  • Crime scenes are unique due to the unique chain of events that occur.
  • The crime scene decays from the moment it is created.
  • Forensic scientists go to crime scenes to analyze evidence and generate crime scene reports.
  • The goal is to recognize, preserve, and collect physical evidence relevant to the investigation.
  • The primary crime scene is where the initial act occurred.
  • Macroscopic (large-scale) and microscopic (small-scale) crime scenes may exist.
  • Secondary crime scenes can result from subsequent activities related to the original crime.

Methods of Interpretation

  • Deductive: Inference reasoning similar to mathematical reasoning(ex; x=1, y=1, therefore x=y). Drawing conclusions from facts
  • Inductive: Using existing data to predict and generalize.
  • Abductive: Gathering known information to formulate the simplest/most likely solution.

Admissibility of Evidence

  • The use of evidence in court depends on the courts' application of evidence rules.
  • Law values precedent in determining admissibility.
  • Courts need to ensure that methods used on the evidence are scientifically acceptable and reliable.
  • Frye Standard and Daubert Standard (Federal Rules of Evidence) are two standards use to determine admissibility.
  • Categories of evidence include inculpatory/exculpatory, direct, and circumstantial.
  • Questionable death (equivocal death) requires additional investigation if cause or circumstances are unclear.
  • Many jurisdictions have a medicolegal investigator, the first responder to a death scene.
  • Death scene investigation focuses on the body and scene, evaluating post-mortem changes.
  • Death investigation systems vary.
  • Systems include those using coroners or medical examiners.
  • Cause of death and manner of death are determined, often by the medical examiner or pathologist.

(Other) Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence

  • Goal of crime scene investigation: recognize, document, photograph, and collect evidence.
  • Trained personnel recognize, document, and secure the crime scene.

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