Documenting Victim Injuries in Law Enforcement

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of the lesson on evidence-handling procedures?

To educate officers on the importance of PPE in crime scenes

To train officers on how to handle drug paraphernalia

To teach officers how to search for and recognize evidence (correct)

To instruct officers on how to initiate a chain of custody for a crime scene

What should officers do when searching and handling evidence at a crime scene?

Wait for backup to arrive before searching

Search the scene quickly to find evidence

Use standard precautions and apply PPE (correct)

Touch and move evidence to get a better look

What determines the type of evidence to search for at a crime scene?

The time of day

The location of the crime scene

The number of officers present

The type of crime committed (correct)

What is the purpose of evaluating and documenting leads?

To prioritize leads for follow-up based on content Signup and view all the answers

What search pattern is often used indoors?

Grid search pattern Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when gathering information about a victim's injuries?

Note specific information regarding the location, size, and type of injury Signup and view all the answers

What type of lead is considered high-priority?

Latent fingerprint identification and DNA Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a canvass of the area near the crime scene occurred?

Identify any residences or businesses where law enforcement was unable to contact potential witnesses Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to study the whole scene before searching for evidence?

To ensure the relationships of the items' positions are considered Signup and view all the answers

What can assist in gathering information about a victim's injuries?

Review of footage from a body-worn camera Signup and view all the answers

What should officers do when documenting photographs or sketches of a crime scene and evidence on a person?

Use a systematic approach to document the scene Signup and view all the answers

Why should you instruct the victim to notify law enforcement if bruising intensifies?

To document the changing appearance of the bruise over time Signup and view all the answers

Why should medical personnel be interviewed?

To analyze victim injuries Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to use a systematic approach when searching for evidence?

To ensure a thorough search Signup and view all the answers

What should you record when gathering information about a victim's injuries?

The names of medical personnel who provide services to the victim Signup and view all the answers

What is a field contact?

Any person contacted while on patrol who does not necessarily generate an incident report Signup and view all the answers

What should officers keep in mind when searching for evidence at a crime scene?

The relationships of the items' positions Signup and view all the answers

Why should field contact information be evaluated carefully?

Because they may have an agenda Signup and view all the answers

What information should you share with your supervisor or investigator?

When the incident occurred, how it occurred, and where it occurred Signup and view all the answers

What should you include when describing property involved in the incident?

Descriptions of all property involved in the incident Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered when evaluating field contact information?

Who the contact is and what their relationship to the victim or suspect may be Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when dealing with the media or designating an authorized spokesperson on the scene?

Refer to agency policies and procedures Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of following community policing guidelines?

To maintain relationships with members of the community Signup and view all the answers

What should you include when describing the scene?

The boundaries and protection measures of the scene Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of eyewitness instructions?

To provide a neutral and unbiased identification process Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to document the entire lineup process?

To preserve evidence and maintain the integrity of the investigation Signup and view all the answers

What should the lineup administrator do during the identification process?

Remain neutral and not know the suspect's identity Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if the victim or eyewitness makes an identification?

Document the precise photograph selected Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to prepare for courtroom testimony?

To ensure you provide accurate and confident testimony Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of the lesson on preparing for court?

To know how to prepare for and give courtroom testimony Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you are unable to identify a suspect during the lineup process?

Document why you were unable to identify a suspect Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to preserve the entire photo array as evidence?

To maintain the integrity of the investigation Signup and view all the answers

When searching for latent fingerprints at a crime scene, what should you consider first?

The type of surface that may have been touched Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in determining whether a surface can hold a latent fingerprint?

The texture of the surface Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of capturing latent fingerprints in a crime investigation?

To identify the suspect(s) in the crime Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to preserve latent fingerprints found at a crime scene?

To prevent damage from environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

What should you do before moving an item that contains a latent fingerprint?

Photograph the print with a scale or identifier Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a RAW+JPEG setting on a camera when photographing a latent fingerprint?

To ensure the raw image remains unaltered Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if the object containing the latent fingerprint is difficult to collect or photograph?

Collect the surface object for the crime lab to process Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of capturing latent fingerprints in a crime investigation?

Linking the suspect to other crimes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for conducting a showup immediately after a crime?

To ensure the witness's safety by detaining the suspect. Signup and view all the answers

When should you use a showup in an investigation?

In an immediate situation, such as battery or robbery by sudden snatching. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do before conducting a showup?

Interview all victims or witnesses separately to obtain a description of the suspect. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using a showup?

To arrest the suspect immediately after the crime. Signup and view all the answers

When should you take immediate action to arrest a wanted person?

When the suspect is suspected of committing a violent crime and presents an immediate danger to the public. Signup and view all the answers

What type of resource can assist in searching for a wanted person?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when arriving at a bank reporting a robbery in progress?

Gather information about the suspect from the witnesses. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to use a systematic approach when searching for a suspect?

To avoid overlooking potential suspects. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when detaining a potential suspect during a showup?

Use a vehicle with a dark window tint to transport the witness to the suspect's location. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of using a showup in an investigation?

It allows for an immediate arrest and minimizes the risk of danger to the public. Signup and view all the answers

What type of evidence requires a specific technique or expertise to collect?

Biological evidence Signup and view all the answers

What should be done when discovering human skeletal remains?

Contact your supervisor and follow agency policies Signup and view all the answers

What can be analyzed to determine the type of weapon and direction of the attack?

Direction of blood spatter Signup and view all the answers

What type of evidence may include cigarette butts, drinking straws, and soda cans?

Biological evidence Signup and view all the answers

What should be submitted to the lab to compare with the suspect's tool?

The entire damaged surface Signup and view all the answers

What can provide strong evidence in court?

Comparing the fracture sites of two or more parts of a broken object Signup and view all the answers

What can be detected in objects that made contact with a victim or suspect for a short time?

Identifiable evidence Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with blood evidence?

Test it for the presence of blood and if it is of human origin Signup and view all the answers

What is an important consideration when dealing with biological evidence?

Follow agency policies and procedures Signup and view all the answers

What can serve as identification and evidence in certain cases?

Teeth Signup and view all the answers

What is the defense attorney's motive when firing questions rapidly?

To confuse the witness into giving inconsistent answers Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when a defense attorney tries to build rapport with you?

Stay calm and focus on the facts of the case Signup and view all the answers

Why might a defense attorney mispronounce your name or title?

To imply that you are of little significance Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when a defense attorney mispronounces your name or title?

Correct them politely Signup and view all the answers

Why might a defense attorney try to lead you into saying you are an expert on a subject?

To make you say something that can be used against you Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important thing to do when answering questions from a defense attorney?

Pause, stay calm, and speak deliberately Signup and view all the answers

What is the defense attorney's goal when asking rapid-fire questions?

To confuse you into giving inconsistent answers Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when a defense attorney asks you multiple questions at once?

Ask the attorney to repeat the questions one at a time Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to stay alert when being questioned by a defense attorney?

To avoid being led astray and giving inconsistent answers Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when a defense attorney tries to make you lose focus?

Stay calm, focus on the question, and answer deliberately Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of gathering information about a suspect?

To build a strong case against the suspect Signup and view all the answers

What type of records require a court order to access?

Private records of privately owned businesses Signup and view all the answers

What can provide information about a suspect's address and employment history?

Public records from federal, state, county, and city databases Signup and view all the answers

Why are records pertaining to juvenile arrests and incidents with law enforcement restricted from the public?

To comply with Florida law Signup and view all the answers

What can provide information about a suspect's criminal history?

Criminal history and law enforcement reports Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential step in gathering information about a suspect?

Learning as much as possible about the suspect Signup and view all the answers

What can assist in locating a suspect?

Knowing where the suspect has resided Signup and view all the answers

What dictates which databases are available to law enforcement and how to access them?

Agency policies and procedures Signup and view all the answers

What can provide information about a suspect's whereabouts at the time of reported crimes?

Incident reports and traffic citations Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of gathering information about a suspect?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Processing a Crime Scene

Document victim injuries in detail, including location, size, and type, to create reports and refresh memory for testimony.
Review body-worn camera footage to assist in documenting injuries and evidence.
Check for consistency between victim information and evidence at the scene.
Inform victims to notify law enforcement if bruising intensifies to photograph again as documentation.

Gathering Information

Share information with a supervisor or investigator, including:
- Incident details (time, location, how it occurred)
- Evidence gathered or still being searched for
- Descriptions of property, victims, witnesses, and possible suspects
- Vehicle information (if applicable)
- Special concerns on the scene (biohazards, hostile crowd, at-large suspects, severe injuries)
- Scene protection and boundaries
- Investigation plan and search for evidence

Documenting Evidence

Document photographs or sketches of a crime scene and evidence on a person, including:
- Description of the scene and evidence
- Measurements and scales
- Photographs or sketches of injuries and evidence

Searching for Evidence

Use a systematic approach or pattern to search for evidence, such as:
- Grid search (indoor)
- Spiral search (outdoor)
Consider the type of crime committed and the relationships between items at the scene.

Identifying Latent Fingerprints

Identify possible locations of latent fingerprints, considering:
- Surface types (e.g., rough concrete vs. smooth glass)
- How the suspect may have approached and moved around the scene
Preserve latent prints and document them with a scale or identifier before collection or processing.

Protecting Latent Fingerprints

Protect latent fingerprint locations from environmental damage, such as rain.
Photograph the print with a scale or identifier before moving the item or collecting it as evidence.
Use a RAW+JPEG setting on a camera to preserve the raw image.

Evaluating Leads

Evaluate and document all leads to determine their value and priority.
Consider the content and validity of leads, such as latent fingerprint identification and DNA.
Prioritize leads based on their potential value and relevance to the investigation.

Conducting a Canvass

Determine whether a canvass of the area near the crime scene was conducted.
Identify residences or businesses where law enforcement was unable to contact potential witnesses.
Consider re-canvassing the area for additional information.

Field Contacts and Confidential Sources

Use field contacts, developed through community policing, to assist in completing an investigation.
Evaluate field contact information carefully, considering the source's relationship to the victim or suspect.
Follow guidelines outlined in community policing when maintaining relationships with sources.

Eyewitness Instructions

Provide eyewitness instructions, including:
- The perpetrator may or may not be in the lineup.
- The lineup administrator does not know the suspect's identity.
- The eyewitness should not feel compelled to make an identification.
- The investigation will continue with or without an identification.

Documenting a Lineup

Carefully document or record any comments made by the victim or eyewitness during the lineup process.
Note any non-verbal communication or action.
Document the entire photo array as evidence.
Preserve the process and forms used in the lineup in the investigative file.

Preparing for Court

Prepare for courtroom testimony by reviewing case files and documentation.
Anticipate cross-examination tactics and prepare responses.
Stay calm and focused during testimony to ensure accuracy and confidence.

Conducting a Crime Scene Investigation

Ensure the crime occurred within your jurisdiction before conducting an investigation.
Look for sources of information and evidence when securing the crime scene.
Determine if the crime scene is life-threatening or poses a threat to officer safety.

Determining the Crime Scene

The size of the crime scene depends on the type of crime, evidence, and location of the evidence.
Use personal observations and statements from victims and witnesses to determine the extent of the crime scene.
Crime scene perimeters should be larger rather than smaller to keep crowds away from evidence.

Protecting the Crime Scene

Do not allow unauthorized removal or alteration of evidence.
Officer safety is at risk when unauthorized people enter the scene.
Protect the scene until it can be photographed and documented.

Identifying People to Question

Ask the victim or complainant to name potential witnesses of the incident.
Document the names, dates of birth, genders, races, addresses, and telephone numbers of all people involved.
Ask vital witnesses to stay at the scene for interviewing.

Separating Involved People

Keep victims, complainants, and witnesses separated to prevent them from coordinating their accounts.
Place people in separate locations, far enough apart to prevent physical contact and overhearing.

Crime Scene Follow-Up Investigations

Evaluate and document all leads to determine their value and prioritize them for follow-up.
Determine whether officers conducted a canvass of the area near the crime scene.
Identify any residences or businesses where law enforcement was unable to contact potential witnesses.

Field Contacts and Confidential Sources

Field contacts are common sources of information, developed through community policing.
Evaluate field contact information carefully, considering the contact's relationship to the victim or suspect.
Verify a field contact's information using known case facts or public records.

Differentiating Field Contacts and Confidential Sources

A field contact provides information without compensation, whereas a confidential source may receive compensation.
A documented confidential informant is a type of confidential source who is recruited and managed by an officer.

Additional Resources

Use agency resources, such as canine, aerial support, SWAT, or a fugitive taskforce, to assist in searching for a wanted person.

Conducting a Showup

A showup is the presentation of a possible suspect to a witness for identification, occurring during or soon after the incident.
Use a showup in immediate situations, such as battery or robbery by sudden snatching.
Do not move the potential suspect to bring them to the victim or witness.

Protecting Evidence

Different crime scenes require different methods of protecting evidence, depending on factors such as weather conditions and type of crime
Outdoor crime scenes with degradable or biological evidence require protection from weather elements like rain, hail, lightning, or wind
Indoor crime scenes with temperature-controlled environments may not require the same level of protection

Securing a Crime Scene

Determine how to position authorized personnel, crime scene tape, and natural barriers to secure the scene
Instruct people to move behind the crime scene tape, warning them that refusal to do so may result in arrest
Consider whether the crime scene is on public or private property, as this affects the legal authority to secure and protect the scene
On private property, a person has an expectation of privacy that cannot be violated without a search warrant or valid exception

Documenting a Crime Scene

Designate a point of entry and exit, and assign an officer to maintain a crime scene log
Document photographs or sketches of the crime scene and evidence on a person

Searching for Evidence

The type of crime committed determines the types of evidence to search for at a scene
Use a systematic approach or pattern, such as a grid or spiral search, to search the scene
Consider the relationships between the positions of items and the type of crime scene when searching

Biological Evidence

Biological evidence includes semen, saliva, blood, and DNA
Examples of items that may contain saliva and require examination include cigarette butts, drinking straws, and soda and beer cans
Blood evidence may include pooled blood, wet or dried stains, or samples collected from the victim or suspect
Experts can analyze blood spatter to determine the type of weapon, direction of attack, and relative size of the attacker
DNA analysis can detect identifiable evidence in objects that made contact with a victim or suspect for a short time

Impression Evidence

Working edges of tools leave distinct marks on surfaces
Collect the entire damaged surface and submit it to the lab to compare with the suspect's tool
Comparing the fracture sites of broken, torn, or cut objects can provide strong evidence in court
Do not attempt to reconstruct items or process fingerprints from pieces before submitting them

Locating and Preserving Latent Fingerprints

Consider the suspect's approach, movement, and exit at the crime scene to identify potential locations for latent fingerprints
Surfaces conducive to latent prints include rough concrete, but not smooth glass surfaces
Capture latent prints to help identify suspects and solve crimes, and preserve them to prevent damage or destruction
Document and photograph latent prints with a scale or identifier before collecting or moving the item
Handle documents found at the crime scene with care to preserve their condition and potential evidence

Questioned Document Evidence

A document is any item containing a mark to convey a message, and may be evidence in a crime
Document analysts examine documents for alterations, erasures, handwriting, indentations, ink comparisons, and machine impressions
Analysis can determine authorship and authenticity of documents

Handling Evidence and Money

Follow agency policies and procedures for handling evidence and money found at a crime scene
Document and collect counterfeit money as evidence, and contact the Secret Service
Maintain a chain of custody to document everyone who handled evidence, and any changes made to it

Follow-Up Investigations

Review the preliminary report to identify investigative leads to pursue
Compare the list of victims, witnesses, and suspects with case information to ensure accuracy
Identify any witnesses who were not available for an initial interview, and evidence that needs further processing
Conduct a criminal history check to determine if a suspect has fingerprints on file for comparison

Analyzing Incident Reports

Review records of the initial investigation and establish a case file
Identify any witnesses who were not available for an initial interview, and evidence that needs further processing
Determine if there is evidence that has not yet been located or analyzed

Following Leads

A lead provides more information on a case that requires further investigation
Leads can come from various sources, such as anonymous tips, confidential sources, social media, and forensic analysis
Compare the MO of a suspect to identify patterns and connections to the crime scene

Gathering Information on a Known Suspect

Search the Department of Correction's list of released inmates or supervision status of former inmates to compare release dates with developing crime trends
Use web-based information on all incarcerated and supervised offenders to gather information on a known suspect

Search Patterns for Evidence

Strip/line search: walk in increasingly larger circles to the outermost boundary of the search area
Zone/quadrant search: divide the area into four sections and search each area using one of the patterns above
Grid search: search the area in a grid pattern
Spiral search pattern: search the area in a spiral pattern

Types of Physical Evidence

Fingerprints
Shoe impressions
Blood
Fibers
Hair
Tool marks
Paint scratches
Broken glass
Body fluids
Controlled substances
Electronics equipment and computers
Firearms
Broken or damaged materials
Tire track impressions
Documents
Bones

Collecting Latent Prints

Wear gloves to avoid contaminating the area with your own fingerprints and DNA
Hold a flashlight at an angle to look for obvious signs of a latent print
Use a brush to apply powder to the target area
Apply the lifting tape to the print and smooth it out to release trapped air
Lift the lifting tape containing the developed prints from the surface
Place the lifting tape on a fingerprint card
Record the date, case number, location, and other information on the back of the card

Elimination Prints

Take fingerprints from anyone who may have been at the crime scene to eliminate their prints from the pool of suspects
Allow fingerprint analysts to distinguish between prints belonging to victims, witnesses, or suspects

Firearms Evidence

Follow agency policies and procedures for handling firearms and ammunition evidence
Apply PPE to avoid contaminating the evidence with your fingerprints and DNA
Review the preliminary report to identify investigative leads to pursue
Initiate a follow-up investigation to contact witnesses, victims, and potential suspects, and to review evidence

Follow-up Investigation

Review the records of the initial investigation and establish a case file
Compare the list of victims, witnesses, and suspects with the case information to ensure accuracy
Review listed evidence and determine if there is evidence that has not yet been located or analyzed
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 whether the suspect has fingerprints on file for comparison

Identifying Leads

A lead provides more information on a case that requires further investigation
Leads can come from anonymous tips, confidential sources, social media, forensic analysis, surveillance footage, and victim and witness statements
Gathering information about a suspect includes:
- Checking public records, criminal history, law enforcement reports, interview reports, driving records, and traffic citations
- Accessing private records with court orders
- Accessing public records from government entities and publicly owned utilities

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Description

Record detailed observations of victim injuries for reporting and testimony purposes, utilizing body-worn camera footage and consistency checks.