FRSC-3010H-A-F07 Lecture 1 09_09_24 PDF

Lecture 1: Crime Scene Investigation and the Role of the CSI Monday, September 9, 2024 4:13 PM Today's Lecture Introduction Syllabus review Admin. Crime Scene Investigation Role of Crime Scene Investigator Lab Notebooks Notes Introduction -- My Background Start...

Lecture 1: Crime Scene Investigation and the Role of the CSI Monday, September 9, 2024 4:13 PM Today's Lecture Introduction Syllabus review Admin. Crime Scene Investigation Role of Crime Scene Investigator Lab Notebooks Notes Introduction -- My Background Started policing in 1989 with the Peel Regional Police. Patrol Officer (1989-1996), in Mississauga. Forensic Identification Officer (1996-2000). Joined the OPP in November 2000, posted to Campbellford as a Patrol Officer. April 2001, transferred to FIS unit in Peterborough. In 2007, promoted to Identification Sergeant. June 2018, retired from the OPP after 22 years doing crime scene examinations. Bachelor of Arts degree (Wilfrid Laurier University). Honours Bachelor of Commerce (University of Windsor). Other courses since graduation from both college and university. Far too many police courses to mention. In the fall of 2016, first taught at Trent University. Currently teaching at Trent, both Fall/Winter/Summer terms, in forensic science undergraduate and graduate programs. Syllabus The syllabus is posted on Blackboard. Please refer to it for course related information about lectures, labs, assessments, assignments, and tests. Lectures Lectures will be posted on Blackboard. Each week's lecture will be posted by Monday morning. Any crime scene photos shown in class will not be included in the posted lectures.  assignments, and tests. Lectures Lectures will be posted on Blackboard. Each week's lecture will be posted by Monday morning. Any crime scene photos shown in class will not be included in the posted lectures. Material covered in lecture but not included in the PowerPoint is testable. I like to start on time and end on time. There will be a roughly 10 minute break about halfway through the lecture. Areas Covered by the Course Lectures Crime Scene Processing Photography Fingerprints and Exhibits Vehicle examinations. Crime scene management (MCM). Firearms. Death investigations. Teaching Assistants First point of contact for lab assistance and direction. Questions about assignment marking should be addressed to your lab Teaching Assistant (TA). Lab Demonstrator ○ Lesley Hewett, [email protected] Teaching Assistants ○ TBA when confirmed. Labs All labs will take place in the new Forensics Crime Scene Facility (FCSF). Odd sections will begin in Week 3, even sections will begin in Week 4. Emails Emails should include FRSC 3010 in the subject line as I teach several different classes. Please include a salutation other than "Hey." Be succinct and clear in the body of the email (get to the point). Only use Trent email to discuss course matters. When / Why Did CSI Go Mainstream… CSI becomes a TV show (October 2000). 15 years, various spin offs. August 1987 -- DNA first used to identify a murder suspect in England (Colin Pitchfork). Technology improved. Computer software / hardware.  CSI becomes a TV show (October 2000). 15 years, various spin offs. August 1987 -- DNA first used to identify a murder suspect in England (Colin Pitchfork). Technology improved. Computer software / hardware. Databanks developed (AFIS, CODIS, etc.). More post secondary forensic science programs were developed (including Trent). Applications increased 30% to forensic science programs. Enrollment has stabilized but demand and interest remains high (2016 - 100 students). Crime scene facility built on campus (Trent). Criminal Code Forensic science is the application of science to matters of the law. Law in Canada ○ Common law: Derived from judicial decisions of courts and similar tribunals. ○ All provinces and territories of Canada adhere to the common law system. Criminal Code -- Canada ○ "An Act respecting the criminal law." ○ Defines criminal acts and procedures in Canada. Locard's Exchange Principle Every contact leaves a trace. When two items come into contact, there will always be an exchange. Founding concept in Forensic Science. Dr. Edmond Locard, Lyon, France. Define a Crime Scene Any physical scene that may provide evidence of a crime. May include vehicles, buildings, human bodies, open air sites, water locations. Define Crime Scene Evidence Physical items, often referred to as exhibits, recovered at or in relation to a crime scene. These items/exhibits may provide a connection, relationship, or association between persons and/or objects. Just about anything (fingerprints, DNA, etc.). Given a lot of value/weight in court ("real" evidence). For Consideration: Can you apply the Scientific Method to Crime Scene Examination? How does the scientific method relate to forensic science and crime scene investigation? For example: For Consideration: Can you apply the Scientific Method to Crime Scene Examination? How does the scientific method relate to forensic science and crime scene investigation? For example: ○ Observation: Crime scene, evidence. ○ Formulation of hypothesis: Location of victim, whose blood is it? ○ Use of hypothesis: Does it explain what you see? ○ Experimentation: Validate or invalidate the hypothesis. Crime Scene Investigation Is a key part of an investigation, keep an open mind about the "scene." Locates, documents and seizes possible evidence. Evidence may generate investigative leads, e.g., fingerprints, DNA. Requires specialized training (see Police Services Act of Ontario). Crime scene investigators should be at arms length from the lead investigator in order to avoid bias. Missed or misinterpreted evidence could result in no one being charged or the wrong person being charged with a crime. ○ Could lead to the administration of justice being brought into disrepute. Examples in Canada Brenda Waudby wrongfully convicted of murdering her young daughter. ○ Evidence from autopsy, a hair, retained by Dr. Charles Smith and not submitted for DNA testing at that time (Peterborough, 1997). Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka -- serial killer investigation. ○ "Missed" video tapes in search of house lead to Karla Homolka's 12-year sentence -- the infamous deal with the devil (St. Catharines, 1993). Crime Scene Investigation: In Brief… Attempts to generate investigative leads through the identification of evidence to individuals (DNA, fingerprints). Requires the ability to recognize and properly collect evidence. Should determine the full extent of a crime scene in order to establish boundaries. Forensic Identification (Crime Scene) Services Support service. Respond as requested. May respond to all levels and types of occurrences. Response level dictated by individual police service policy and procedure. Forensic Members Crime scene examiners are responsible for: ○ Recording, documenting, and examining the scene. ○ The collection and preservation of evidence.  Response level dictated by individual police service policy and procedure. Forensic Members Crime scene examiners are responsible for: ○ Recording, documenting, and examining the scene. ○ The collection and preservation of evidence. ○ Submitting exhibits for further examination/processing (by them or CFS). ○ Testifying in court. ○ Carrying out their role independently and without tunnel vision. ○ Being a support service to front line officers and investigators. Traditionally in Ontario, forensic members were all police officers who trained to become forensic identification officers (FIO) after doing patrol/investigative duties. Tended to be officers later in their careers, not so much the past few years. Worked in plain clothes (suits at one time!). Civilian members were very limited in numbers and what roles they could fill (Admin, AFIS, Fingerprint and Evidence Technician). There were very few trained civilian forensic personnel. May be in uniform (very common) or plain clothes (no suits!). In Ontario, civilian forensic members/employees have grown in numbers over the past 5-10 years. York, Toronto, Peel, Durham, Hamilton, and Niagara police services all have civilians in various forensic roles (Forensic Identification Assistant or FIA). In Hamilton, Forensic Services Assistant (Special Constable). ○ Job Posting -- Hamilton Police Service § Forensic Services Assistant § Posting #2023-045 § Job Title: Forensic Services Assistant, Special Constables § Status: Full-Time § Department/Unit: Investigative Services Department, Forensics § Salary Range: Schedule 10E - $83,446 to $98,177 per annum (as of January 1, 2022). § Posting Date: June 9, 2023 and closing date, June 23, 2023. § Primary Job Location: Investigative Services Building, 100 Wilson St. Hamilton, ON. § Hours of Work: Rotating shift schedule working either 12 hour night shifts (16:00-4:00), 11 hour day shifts (7:00-18:00), or 10 hour day shifts on Sundays (7:00-17:00). Training All FIOs trained at the Ontario Police College (Aylmer) or the Canadian Police College (Ottawa). Mandatory courses to complete. Civilian positions may start with local training before going on to further training at the colleges. Colleges are restricted to members of police services. The Name Game  Mandatory courses to complete. Civilian positions may start with local training before going on to further training at the colleges. Colleges are restricted to members of police services. The Name Game Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) Forensic Identification Officer (FIO) Forensic Identification Assistant (FIA) Scenes of Crime officer (SOCO) Forensic Services Assistant (FSA) Scenes of Crime Specialist (SCS) Crime Scene Support Technician (CSST) Forensic Roles Forensic artist. Document examiner. AFIS technician. Photo technician / Photographer (Coroners Complex). DNA Coordinator. Livescan / Photo lineup technicians. Plan drawing. Forensic Identification Assistant (FIA), etc. Forensic Members (Cont.) The Future: ○ The role for civilians in forensics is growing. ○ Will continue to grow and evolve. ○ Eventually civilian members could take on role/duties of FIO in Ontario. ○ May work as equals or replace uniform members. ○ Consider the positives and negatives of this happening. Trent Alumni "Christina Pidgeon, a graduate from Trent's Forensic Science program, fell in love with solving crime when she was in high school, and never looked back -- now, she's a forensic services assistant (FSA) with the Hamilton Police Service." ○ Note: Now working in Colorado as a Crime Scene Examiner. There are a number of Trent graduates working in civilian forensic positions as well as uniform positions in policing. Notebooks for Lab Bound notebook required. Notes / entries are to be written in ink (black or blue) for each lab. Dates and times (24 hour) required, name of instructor and partner(s). All lab notes to be recorded in notebook, not on loose paper. Rough sketches must be recorded in your notebook. Notebooks for Lab Bound notebook required. Notes / entries are to be written in ink (black or blue) for each lab. Dates and times (24 hour) required, name of instructor and partner(s). All lab notes to be recorded in notebook, not on loose paper. Rough sketches must be recorded in your notebook. Drawings / larger sketches may be done in pencil on a separate sheet of paper. Do not make a "rough" set of notes and then transfer to the notebook. Follow the direction given in lab. Notebooks in the Workplace Must be written in approved format (could be digital). Should be written in black or blue ink (black preferred). Every page must be accounted for in the notebook (numbered and none missing). Each day of the year must have an entry for it. ○ Days off would be marked as "Rest Days," other possibilities court, vacation. Each day starts with the date, shift time, weather, temperature. Start time is then recorded following 24 hour clock. All important events should be documented from there. End time is indicated and notebook is signed off (signature or initials). Notes should be started as soon as possible after an assignment or call to a scene. Continue recording information as it is received. Take notes of everything you do in an official capacity (scene, exhibits, etc.). Record all facts, regardless of where they may lead (hypothesis testing?). Investigative Note Taking Investigative notes are a permanent written record of: ○ The facts of an investigation. ○ Your actions in an investigation. ○ An important tool to assist you in providing accurate and factual information to an investigation. The notebook is an official, legal document that contains the details of investigations (applies to police and other investigators as well). It is critical that the information be complete and accurate (no additions or deletions) and written in clear language. Typically, is the property of the organization that employs the individual (must be preserved). Good notes help you remember the details of events (sequence, order, times, dates, names, locations). ○ Refreshes your memory regarding the specifics. Your notebook helps to overcome the lapses in memory associated with the inevitable time lag between an investigation and exhibit examination, report writing, or court (court may be months / years later). Without a notebook, the facts of an occurrence may be forgotten or distorted as one investigation may become confused with another.  Refreshes your memory regarding the specifics. Your notebook helps to overcome the lapses in memory associated with the inevitable time lag between an investigation and exhibit examination, report writing, or court (court may be months / years later). Without a notebook, the facts of an occurrence may be forgotten or distorted as one investigation may become confused with another. What Did They Say? "Miami Police Kill Man with a Machete." "Three cars were reported stolen by the Los Angeles Police yesterday." "Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers." "Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim." Next Week Week #3 -- Crime Scene Photography. ○ Labs start (for odd numbered sections).