Removing the Evidence PDF - Forensic Science Past Paper

# Removing the Evidence ## 1 Introduction to Forensic Science The evidence from the crime scene must be transported to the forensic laboratory very carefully and systematically so that no evidence is lost, misplaced, or damaged in any way. To prevent cross-contamination from the crime scene, inv...

# Removing the Evidence ## 1 Introduction to Forensic Science The evidence from the crime scene must be transported to the forensic laboratory very carefully and systematically so that no evidence is lost, misplaced, or damaged in any way. To prevent cross-contamination from the crime scene, investigators wear special overalls and overshoes. Locations associated with a possible suspect are usually searched by different crime scene investigators (CSIs) other than those who searched the crime scene, and any evidence is transported by different vehicles to avoid contamination. Sometimes in court, a defense lawyer may challenge the prosecution, suggesting that an item of evidence tendered in court is not the same as the item that left the crime scene. The lawyer may try to make the members of the jury suspect a possible gap in the chain of continuity in the handling of a particular item. The lawyer may raise the possibility of cross-contamination. To prevent a case being lost, all care must be taken to ensure the validity of the evidence. At the crime scene, all items of possible evidence are labeled and sealed in bags where possible. The label records the location where the item was found, the date and time found, and the name of the police officer handing the item over. A laboratory registration number is added at the forensic laboratory, recording all details, including the time of arrival at the laboratory. This information is entered into a register which has a separate entry for each item, recording all movement of the item and with whom, while in the laboratory. This register can be used in court if the chain of continuity is challenged by the defense lawyers. ## Questions 1. Explain why CSIs wear special overalls and overshoes while at the crime scene. 2. Why do you think it is usual for one CSI to search a suspect's house and another to search the crime scene? 3. Explain why every item of evidence that is removed from the crime scene is enclosed in its own carefully labelled plastic bag. 4. What information is recorded on the outside of the evidence bag? 5. Describe what happens to the evidence once it arrives at the forensic laboratory. 6. Why is it so important to prevent cross-contamination? 7. On the right is a tag that was attached to an item of evidence when it arrived at the forensic laboratory. What important information needs to be added? ### Evidence Tag The tag is a small paper rectangle with the following information: - Description - Removed From - Address - By - Date - Time - Where ### Crime Scene Search Evidence Report The report is a table with the following columns: - Name of Subject - Offense - Date of Incident - Time - AM/PM - Search Officer - Evidence Description - Location - Chain of Possession - Received From - By - Date - Time - AM/PM ### BURGLARY - At 25 High St, Smithton - Found behind the sofa - PC. Jones