chapter 2 the crime scene
which statement about note-taking is NOT true?
Note taking is done after all crime scene processing has been completed
After providing or obtaining medical assistance for the injured and effecting an arrest of suspects (if possible), the first officer arriving at a crime scene should immediately:
Secure the scene
when biological samples of unknown origin are discovered at a crime scene, investigators:
Should assume pathogens are present and treat the sample as such.
A rough sketch does NOT include a:
Sketch of the suspect(s)
The size and location of the crime scene, as well as the events that occurred there, will determine:
The kind of search pattern that is used to locate evidence
______ materials should not be stored in airtight containers as this process could encourage the growth of mold
blood-stained
all of the following items may be placed in an airtight container EXCEPT:
bloodstained clothing
a swab of the inner portion of the cheek
buccal swabb
Officers should attempt to locate tool marks at the point of entry during the investigation of a:
burglary
The search pattern that employs two people performing line searches that originate from adjacent corners is:
grid
searching method that employs two people performing line searches that originate from adjacent corners and form perpendicular lines
grid search
two investigators must search a walled-in little league baseball field
grid search
the presence of blood and demon at the crime scenes exposed investigators to:
hepatitis b, and AIDS
what issues could arise if an investigator didn't fulfill their obligations to handle, collect, land package crime scene evidence in a way that prevents changing or contaminating these items?
incorrectly handling, collecting, or packaging evidence will contaminate it
The most basic methods of crime scene recording do NOT include:
infrared analysis
three basic types of protective clothing recommended for investigators are _____ gloves, shoe covers, and liquid repellent coveralls
latex
Changes to evidence, such as contamination, can be prevented by handling evidence with:
latex gloves and disposable forceps
The search pattern in which one or two investigators start at the boundary at one end of the scene and walk straight across to the other side is:
line
Which crime scene search pattern does NOT require more than one investigator?
line
one investigator must search a small classroom at a community college
line search
a search method used by one or two investigators the walking in straight lines across the crime scene
line/strip search
it is permissible for officers at the scene to:
none of the above
crime scene ______ must include a detailed written description of the scene with the location of items of physical evidence recovered
notes
the three methods of crime scene recording are photography, sketches, and ____
notes
the integrity of evidence is best maintained when the item is kept in its _____ condition as found at the crime scene
original
The collection of standard reference samples at the crime scene is important because they:
permit comparisons to be made with the evidence
_____ evidence is any object that can establish that a crime had been committed or can link a crime and it's victim or a crime and it's perpetrator
physical
any object that can establish that a crime has or hasn't been committed or can link a crime and it's victim or its perpetrator
physical evidence
CAD programs enhance the ability to:
produce a finished crime scene sketch
The crime scene notes must accurately record:
the tasks assigned each investigator, personnel arrivals and departures from the scene, and descriptions of evidence present at the crime scene.
The initial survey of the crime scene carried out by the lead investigator is called:
to walk through
the ______ of DNA can occur when items of evidence are incorrectly placed in contact with each other during packaging
transfer
A properly maintained chain of custody is NOT the responsibility of the:
trial judge
Ordinary mailing envelopes should not be used as evidence containers (T/F)
true
The areas searched by crime-scene investigators must include all probable points of entry and exit used by the criminal (T/F)
true
The line and spiral search patterns can be performed effectively by one person (T/F)
true
The manner of collecting and preserving physical evidence at a crime scene is determined by the nature of the evidence (T/F)
true
The relative evidential value of laboratory test results is almost always dependent on the way the evidence is collected and presented for examination (T/F)
true
a substrate control ensures that the surface on which a sample has been deposited doesn't interfere with the interception of laboratory tests (T/F)
true
blood-stained clothing should not be placed in an airtight container (T/F)
true
bloodstained materials should be packaged in wrapping paper, manila envelopes, or paper bags (T/F)
true
evidence may be moved only after investigators have documented its location and appearance in notes, sketches, and photographs (T/F)
true
failure to protect a crime scene properly may result in the destruction or altering of evidence (T/F)
true
it's important to include a brief description of the case history on an evidence submission form (T/F)
true
the first critical step in crime scene investigation is securing and isolating the crime scene (T/F)
true
the investigator shouldn't remove trace evidence from items at the crime scene, but instead he or she should send the entire object to the laboratory for processing (T/F)
true
the main disadvantage of digital photography for recording crime scene is that digital photographs can be easily manipulated by using computer software (T/F)
true
the main objective in collecting and packaging physical evidence is to prevent any change in the evidence between the time it's removed from the crime scene and the time it's received by the crime lab (T/F)
true
the need to prevent the immediate loss or destruction of evidence of evidence is justification for a warrantless search (T/F)
true
the officer charged with protecting the scene had the authority to exclude fellow officers (T/F)
true
the victims clothing and fingernail scrapings are common items of evidence that are sent to the forensic lab (T/F)
true
unauthorized personnel include friends and family of the victim (T/F)
true
the most important prerequisite for photographing a crime scene to be in an ______ condition
unaltered
Investigators should collect possible carriers of trace evidence which may include:
vacuum sleeping, clothing, and fingernail scrapings
The initial survey of the crime scene carried out by the lead investigator where they will gain an overview of the scene in order to formulate a plan for processing the scene
walk-through
in the case of homicide, the investigator's search will be centered on the _____ and any type of evidence left as a result of contact between the victim and assailant
weapon
Which search pattern employs several people moving from the boundary straight toward the center of the scene (inward) or from the center straight to the boundary (outward)?
wheel
a search method employed by several people moving from the boundary straight toward the center of the scene (inward) of from the center straight to the boundary (outward)
wheel/ray search
Which crime scene search pattern would absolutely require more than one investigator?
zone
Which search pattern would be best suited for a crime scene where many investigators are available to search a large area?
zone
list two possible consequences of failure to protect a crime scene properly
•destruction or altering evidence •mess up the search
list and describe the roles of the evidence collector at a crime scene
•handling physical evidence in a way that minimizes damages or contamination •maintain chain of custody by using proper labeling and documentation methods for evidence •determining and using proper packaging material
Which type of evidence must be packaged separately from other evidence?
Biological stain evidence, DNA-containing evidence, and arson evidence
From the choices below, select the one correct physical evidence collection procedure.
Bloodstained garments should be packaged separately in paper bags
The first responding officer must make attempts at the crime scene to detain and question:
Both witnesses and suspects
Police barricades, and the strategic positioning of guards, will prohibit access to the crime scene for:
All unauthorized personnel
The purpose of the crime scene search is to locate:
All physical evidence
A list of all people who came into possession of an item of evidence
Chain of custody
If the crime scene includes a dead body, the photographer should:
Depict injuries and weapons at the crime scene
Charred debris from an arson scene should be:
Packaged in airtight glass jars
The best way to guarantee that the evidence will withstand inquiries about what happened to it from the time of its finding to its presentation in court is to:
Properly record the crime scene, properly mark evidence for identification, Properly complete evidence submission forms. (All of the above)
The conditions at a crime scene can be compromised by all of the following actions EXCEPT:
Taking photographs at the crime scene
Digital crime scene photographs require special measures to assure their admissibility in court due to:
The ability to manipulate the images
The center of the crime scene, which is always included within the crime scene's boundary, is:
The area where the crime occurred.
warrantless searches are permitted under law in all of the following situations EXCEPT:
The injury or death of a police officer or law enforcement employee.
The successful outcome of a criminal investigation is almost always directly related to:
The manner in which the evidence is collected and preserved
The manner of collecting and preserving physical evidence at a crime scene is determined by:
The nature of the evidence
which of the following items is likely to contain DNA evidence?
a bed sheet
Crime scene sketches serve a unique purpose in permanently documenting the location of evidence:
collected and removed from the crime scene
____can occur by introducing foreign DNA through coughing or sneezing onto evidence during the collection procedure
contamination
physical evidence may be obtained from:
crime scene, victim, suspect
when a vehicle is involved in a crime, investigators should pay particular attention to signs of a(n) ____ of evidence between the car and the victim
cross-transfer
A victim's fingernail scrapings would be correctly packaged in:
druggist fold
a rough sketch does not need to accurately depict the dimensions of the crime scene (T/F)
false
a substrate control allows the criminalist to connect the evidence found at the scene of the crime to the suspect and/or victim (T/F)
false
a warrantless search is never justified (T/F)
false
evidence can not be shipped through the mail (T/F)
false
it's not necessary to package evidence in separate containers (T/F)
false
it's permitted for officers at the scene to alter temperature conditions by adjusting windows, doors, or the heard or air-conditioning (T/F)
false
the chain of custody doesn't usually play a vital role in a court of law (T/F)
false
the evidence collector is concerned with determining the natural variations that exist in physical evidence (T/F)
false
the first priority of the first officer responding to a crime scene is securing the crime scene (T/F)
false
the first responding officer shouldn't make attempts at the crime scene to detain and question unauthorized personnel (T/F)
false
the investigators should follow a direct path to the center of the scene (T/F)
false
the obligation to maintain the integrity of evidence belongs to the first police officer at the scene only (T/F)
false
Physical evidence at a hit-and-run scene could include:
fiber and tissue, glass fragments, and fabrics impressions
a(n) ______ sketch is constructed with care and concern for aesthetic appearance and must be drawn to scale
finished
A precise rendering of the crime scene, usually drawn to scale
finished sketch
The removal of any evidence from a person or from the scene of a crime must be done in conformity with the privileges of which amendment to the Constitution?
fourth
"the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizure..." is provided in the US by the:
fourth amendment
a search method in which the crime scene is divided into smaller sections and team members are assigned to search each section. each of these sections can be subdivided into smaller sections for smaller teams to search thoroughly
quadrant/zone search
five investigators must search a large cornfield
quadrant/zone search
a _____ sketch is a draft representation or all essential information and measurements at a crime scene
rough
A draft representation of all essential information and measurements at a crime scene. This sketch is drawn at the crime scene.
rough sketch
all items of evidence should be places in ______ containers to prevent damage damage through contact and cross-contamination
separate
Success in the recognition and collection of physical evidence is determined primarily by the:
skill of personnel processing the crime scene
a search method in which the investigator moves in an inward spiral from the boundary to the center of the scene or in an outward spiral from the center to the boundary of the scene
spiral search
one investigator must search a small muddy backyard, specifically looking for foot print evidence
spiral search
physical evidence whose origin is known, such as blood or hair from a suspect, that can be compared to crime scene evidence
standard/reference sample
Uncontaminated surface material close to an area where physical evidence has been deposited
substrate control