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Forensic Science: Processing the Crime Scene Flashcards

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5332805032What are the seven S's of a Crime Scene Investigation?Secure the scene Separate the witnesses Scan the scene See if the investigation gathers all photos & info Sketch the scene Search the evidence Secure the evidence0
5332805033What are the first priorities of the first arriving officer?Obtain medical assistance for anyone who is injured Detain suspects/witnesses Secure & control the crime scene Establish a crime scene perimeter Call for any additional personnel Establish a crime scene entry control log1
5332805034How does one establish a crime scene perimeter?Identify primary focal points Indoors - possible entry/exits paths if the perpetrator Outdoors - rope off a large area (includes oaths taken by the criminal to/from the central crime scene) Identify possible secondary scenes2
5332805035How does one establish a crime scene entry control log?Who entered the scene When they entered, when they left Why they entered3
5332805036What does processing a crime scene consists of?- Surveying the crime scene - Photographing and sketching the crime scene - Recording & documenting the location of physical evidence in notes - Searching for fingerprints and other physical prints - Collection of evidence4
5332805037Surveying the Crime Scene- Done by the lead investigator - A walk through starts at the outer limits of the crime scene & proceeds toward the center5
5332805038What are the types of search patterns?Zone/Quadrant Search Straight Line Search (or lane search) Strip Search Grid Search Spiral Search Pattern6
5332805039Zone/Quadrant Search- Indoor searches (small areas) - Each zone is searched, then zones are switched so that they are searched twice7
5332805040Straight Line Search (or lane search)- Large number of searchers standing in a line - Each searcher is responsible for their own area - Larger outdoor searchers, mass disasters or when visibility is poor8
5332805041Strip SearchSimilar to a strip line search, but used when there are less people available to search a large area9
5332805042Grid Search- Large outdoor areas - Allows each area to be searched twice - Many searchers - Useful for mass disasters10
5332805043Spiral SearchInvolves a single searcher beginning at an object (possibly at a body) and then continuing in widening circles away from that object until the entire area is covered **Not as effective because only one searcher is available11
5332805044How does one document a crime scene?Note taking Photography Sketching12
5332805045In note taking, what should be included?- Date & time crime was 1st reported to police - Type of crime - Location of crime - Names of all the officers, witnesses, investigators, etc. at the scene - Weather and lighting conditions at the time of the investigation - Description of all evidence - Description and location of the body - Odors, sounds - Signs of a struggle - Signs of forced entry13
5332805046Examples of the description of all evidenceColor, brand, condition, amount Location where evidence is found Evidence log14
5332805047Evidence LogDescription and location of all evidence including who collected it15
5332805048Examples of the description and location of the bodyGender Clothing Condition of the body (decomposing, wounds, of it's intact) Physical Characteristics (hair color, age, height)16
5332805049What are the technical aspects of photography?- Tripod is used so that camera is parallel to the floor and avoids shaking - Most objects should be lit from the top - Side lighting for impressions - Depth of Field17
5332805050Depth of Field- Distance behind and in front of the subject that is in focus - Everything should be in focus (third of the way in) - Object should take the entire screen - Put camera on macro setting for the smaller objects - Do not photograph at an angle - Make sure to not cut off part of the object18
5332805051What are the forensic aspects of the photography?- Do not move objects until photographed - Overview photographs - Midrange photographs - Close up photographs - Photo log - Can also be videotaped19
5332805052Overview Photographs- Capture the entire scene and surrounding area, including points if entry/exit - Must show each area floor to ceiling - If indoors, the entire room should be photographed it show each wall area20
5332805053Midrange PhotographsShows the positioning of evidence and victims relative to fixed points in the room (door, wall, windows)21
5332805054Close-up Photographs- Victim: full length body shots (head to toe, toe to head, right to left, left to right), close ups of face, close ups of wounds - Each piece if physical evidence should be photographed with and without a ruler22
5332805055Photo logCase Number Date & time Photographer's name Listing of each photograph (description of location)23
5332805056Sketching- Accurately portrays the physical facts - Relates the sequence of events at the scene - Establishes the precise location and relationship of objects and evidence at the scene - Creates a mental picture of the scene for those not present - Permanent record of the scene24
5332805057What are two types of crime scene sketches?Rough and Final25
5332805058Rough Sketch- Made at the scene - Dimensions of the scene and shows the location of all evidence - Made AFTER photographs are taken and BEFORE anything is moved - Objects are located in the sketch by distance measurements from 2 fixed points - All measurements are made with a tape measure - Assign each piece of evidence a number of letter -- use a legend to identify them - Indicate which direction is north - Measurements are written in the sketch and is not drawn to scale - Case information is written on the sketch26
5332805059What are the types of plotting methods?Rectangular Coordinates Baseline Method Triangulation Method27
5332805060Rectangular CoordinatesUses 2 adjacent walls as fixed points as up distances are measured at right angles28
5332805061Baseline MethodTakes measurements along and from a single reference line29
5332805062Triangulation MethodUses straight-line measurements from 2 fixed points to the evidence, creating a triangle with evidence in the angle formed by 2 straight lines30
5332805063Final Sketch- Neat - Drawn to scale -- MEASUREMENTS ARE NOT WRITTEN - Scale - Case information, legend, and which direction is north31
5332805064Evidence PackagingNumber Description Location Cats number Date & time Name of the person that collected it32
5332805065Blood/Saliva on surfacesCollect using cotton swabs Allow to dry first Packaging: paper envelopes/bag Seal and label Control: portion of swab or cloth without blood For dried stains: moisten swab/cloth with distilled water33
5332805066Blood (and other biological fluids) in clothing or small objects- Collect using gloved hands - Allow to dry first -- clothing is folded in a way to not ruin the stains - Packaging: paper bag - Pack each item separately - Seal and label - Control: area of clothing/object without stains34
5332805067Hairs/FibersCollect using tweezers and gloved hands Packaging: paper bindles or pill box Seal and label35
5332805068Bullets/CasesCollect using gloved hands Packaging: wrap individually in cotton or tissue paper and place in pill box Pack each item separately Seal and label36
5332805069Glass Particles- Collect using gloved hands - Packaging: wrap in tissue paper and place in either a pill box, plastic vial, or film canister - Seal then place in an additional plastic bag - Seal and label37
5332805070Soil- Collect using a vacuum or scoopula (loose) or gloved hands (adhering to object) - Packaging: soil adhering to the object should not be remove; air dry and package in paper bag; package air dried loose particles in plastic vial - Seal and label38
5332805071Questioned DocumentsCollect using gloved hands Packaging: plastic bag Seal and label **if paper has fluid package in a paper envelope39
5332805072Footprint CastWrite case info on back of cast Wrap in tissue paper to prevent breakage40
5332805073Powders/Pills in containersCollect using gloved hands Packaging: seal original container then place in plastic bag Seal and label41
5332805074Powders/Pills looseCollect using scoopula or forceps Packaging: vial or jar Seal with tape and label42
5332805075Tools/Knife/Gun- Collect using gloved hands - Packaging: secure info cardboard box and use tissue paper to prevent shifting - Remove any live ammunition from weapons - Seal and label43
5332805076ControlsUsed to make sure the tests results you are getting are accurate44
5332805077Chain of CustodyLog that keeps track of the people who have been in possession of the evidence45
5332805078Standard (exemplar)- Physical evidence whose origin is known - Compared to the unknown evidence during lab analysis to try and determine the source of the evidence46
5332805079What should an investigator do during an interview?- Develop a plan of action - Conduct the interview privately - Put the interviewee at ease - Perfect questioning techniques -- questions easy are to understand - Select questions carefully -- open ended questions - Let the interviewee do the talking - Be a good listener - Don't challenge answers given - Stay in control of the interview - Take brief notes -- write down the important things - Write a summary immediately after the interview - Learn from experience47
5332805080What is the difference between an interview and an interrogation?An interview is conducted in an atmosphere where the individual is relaxed and comfortable An interrogation is conducted in an atmosphere where the person is under psychological stress -- know the information about the suspect, victim, and the crime committed48
5332805081What are the two types of criminals?Emotional and non-emotional49
5332805082Emotional Offenders- Usually a first time offender and can be broken down easily - Show sympathy towards him - Blames society for his actions - Be friendly towards the offender - Observe physical reactions to questions shows tension (i.e. dry mouth, tapping foot) - Usually confess when confronted with evidence50
5332805083Non-Emotional OffendersHardened criminals51
5332805084What are the methods of interrogation used for non-emotional offenders?Q&A Narrative Method Alibi Factual Method Sweet and Sour Method (good cop/bad cop) Overheard Conversation Method Bluff Method52
5332805085Narrative MethodStating the crime again as a way to shake them up and hopefully they confess53
5332805086AlibiAsk where they were at the time of the crime and then follow up to see if it checks out and then re-interrogate54
5332805087Factual EvidenceState the evidence that you already have55
5332805088Overheard Conversation MethodIf there are 2 suspects, interrogator can lie and say that the other had already confessed56
5332805089Bluff MethodThe interrogator lies about having witnesses and evidence so there is no choice but to tell the truth57

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