Crime Scene Processing

Chisum and Rynearson commented on this interpretive value of evidence when they noted that.

"the full meaning of evidence is a function of time and the item's surroundings"

PCR

(polymerase chain reaction) multiple copies of a specific segment of DNA

Please provide the definition of a Cartridge Case.

The sub-unit of the cartridge that holds the primer and propellant. This "casing" is typically made of metal and will either be expelled from automatic and semi- automatic weapons or retained in single shot or revolver type weapons

serial numbers that have been obliterated in metal can be visualized

True

This is the angle of the muzzle in relation to the target using a vertical reference line. It shows movement up or down and is measured using a protractor aligned with a vertical plane or the standard angle finder.

Vertical Angle or Angle of Elevation

Name the two types of chronology.

a) Absolute chronology- is related to timing aspects. b) Relative chronology- is the sequencing of actions in relation to one another

The methodology employed by the Bloodstain Pattern Analyst is relatively simple. The technician:

a) Become familiar with the entire scene b) Identifies the discrete patterns among the various bloodstained surfaces c) Classifies these patterns based on their physical characteristics using some form of established taxonomy d) Evaluates aspects of directionality and motion in the stain or pattern e) Evaluates angles of impact, points of convergence, and areas of origins (in necessary) f) Evaluates interrelationships among stains, patterns, and other evidence g) Evaluates viable source events to explain the pattern (based on all of the above) h) Validates the analysis through some form of peer review

There are five underlying principles of crime scene reconstruction that guide the crime scene analyst:

a) Casual connection b) Superposition c) Continuity d) Chronology e) Relationship

Name the three most common fire signs (patterns) found in the fire scene.

a) Char patterns b) Smoke and soot patterns c) Damage patterns

Name the three primary issues when dealing with the landfill recovery of human remains:

a) Compacting of the body and evidence b) The heat generated by the landfill c) Various hazards present in the landfill

What are the two primary venues in which analysis is accomplished?

a) Crime laboratory b) The second venue for analysis is the application of crime scene analysis using all of the data that may be available to the investigation.

There are four basic questions that must be answered with regard to each and every object found in the scene:

a) How was the weapon employed? b) Can the final position of the weapon and the victim be explained? c) Can the injuries be self-inflicted? d) Is there any single injury that cannot be self-inflicted?

Charles O'Hara's specific methodology for crime scene analysis is described in terms of scientific method, stating that it involved:

a) Painstaking, comprehensive collection of data b) Arrangement and correlation of that data c) Definition of issues and investigative questions d) Development of a hypothesis along the lines of the available data and subsequent resolution of any hypotheses e) Testing of the hypothesis and elimination, when possible, of contradicting hypotheses f) Testing of the final hypothesis before acceptance

Gunshot wounds are typically classified in four categories:

a) Penetrating b) Perforating c) Grazing d) Tangential

. What are the six steps involved in scientific method?

a) Problem- define the investigative question b) Hypothesis- identify visible explanation or possibilities c) Data- collect information to resolve the problem d) Expect- identify what would be formed if the hypothesis were true e) Test- test the hypothesis against the evidence at the scene f) Conclusion- identify an opinion and repeat for each variable

Scattered or skeletonized remains appear in two basic types. What are they?

a) The find is either localized (e.g. the skeleton or badly decomposed body is found relatively complete at a single location) b) It is widely dispersed over a large area

In the assessment and observation phase, the investigation shifts focus and seeks to understand what caused the fire. With that in mind, there are two rules of thumb in fire investigation:

a) The first rule is that the area exhibiting the most damage was exposed to the fire for the longest time; therefore, it is more likely to contain the point of origin. b) A second rule of thumb is to seek out any indication of low burn. The areas that show low burn to high burn need significant examination and demand excavation in order to understand their relationship to the overall fire flow.

Cases involving buried bodies generally occur in one of two varieties. Name them.

a) The police will be presented with a grave (e.g. someone stumbles upon a foot extending out of a shallow grave) b) Or they will be seeking a grave, based upon some form of intelligence (e.g. looking for additional bodies in and around a dump site of a serial killer)

Chemical tests can help identify the two primary components of bullets. What are the two types of metals that bullets are usually made from?

a. Copper b. Lead

The principle of stain shape and vector correlation is a significant consideration in the examination of a variety of stains found in crime scenes. Name the two primary sub-principles:

a. Directional Angle- The collapse of a free flight droplet on a surface produces a stain with a circular or elliptical shape. These stains may have spines, scallops, or satellite stain. These characteristics if present, may define direction of travel for the droplet at the moment of impact b. Impact Angle- The collapse of a free flight droplet on a surface produces a stain with a circular or elliptical shape. The ratio between the length of the long and short axes of the resulting stain has an empirical relationship to the angle at which the droplet struck the target.

Name the four fire ingredients known as the fire tetrahedron.

a. Heat b. Fuel c. Oxygen d. Uninhibited chemical reaction between the three

The firearms examiner looks for evidence of three types of characteristics on the bullet or bullet fragment associated with trace evidence and damage. Name them.

a. Layering of trace evidence, indicative of sequence of targets struck b. Damage to the projectile, indicative of the type of target the bullet struck c. Deformation of the projectile, indicative of a deflection along its flight path and the angle of the deflection

Please name the three underlying principles that guide the behavior of the bloodstain pattern analyst.

a. The Pattern Diversity Principal b. The Principle of Stain Shape and Vector Correlation c. The Physically Altered Bloodstain (PAB) Principal

In a free society, the police have two basic goals. What are they?

a. The prevention of crime and disorder, and the preservation of peace b. the protection of life, property and personal liberty

What are the three areas of study that make up ballistics and who accomplishes each area?

a. What? Internal or interior ballistics Who? Forensic firearms examiner b. What? Terminal ballistics Who? Forensic pathologists c. What? External or exterior ballistics Who? CSIs

gunshot residue (GSR) contains trace amounts of three primary elements. What are they?

a. antimony b. barium c. lead

once a search method and approach are defined, the crime scene team must consider safety issues. bio-hazards are clearly important, but the nature of hazards at the crime scene is not limited to bio-hazards. the full scope of hazards include:

a. bio-hazards from blood and other body fluids b. structural hazards found on fire and explosion scenes c. chemical and inhalation hazards found in fire scenes d. inhalation, chemical, and fire hazards associated with drug labs e. bio-chemical hazards associated to terrorism

there are four types of crime scene sketches. they illustrate different views to include horizontal surfaces, vertical surfaces, as well as combination of those. what are the names of the four types of crime scene sketches

a. bird eye's view b. cross projection or exploded sketch c. elevation sketch d. three dimensional sketch

the responding officer has two objectives at the crime scene. what are they?

a. bring site under control b. coordinate resources

name the five basic search patterns for conducting a detailed crime scene search

a. circle or spiral search b. strip and line search c. grid search d. zone search e. point-to-point search

name three examples of documenting the scene

a. creating a rough sketch b. photography c. written observation

Police Objectives

a. crime prevention b. crime repression c. regulation of non-criminal conduct d. provision of other services e. protection of personal liberty

if the crime scene technician is to accurately document the condition of the scene in as pristine a condition as possible, it is imperative that narrative scene description

a. detailed, with all pertinent facts and conditions documented b. accurate, with few inferences or subjective evaluation included c. understandable, i.e. logical and organized

to safely and effectively fain control of the scene, the initial responding officer must have five specific objectives. What are they?

a. document the provided information b. not become a casualty c. proved emergency care d. secure and control the scene and all those within it e. release scene to appropriate authorities

a supplemental purpose of photographs is to illustrate the scene condition to the court. for a photograph to be admissible in court, it will likely have to withstand several tests, which will be answered with three questions. what are they?

a. does the photograph accurately depict the scene? b. is the photograph free of distortion? c. is the photograph material and relevant to some aspect of the case?

what are the three primary considerations (besides cost) relative to the decision to purchase a 3-D scanning system

a. ease of use you have to train to use it b. mobility equipment is bulky and difficult transport c. accuracy

when light energy encounters an object, it can act on the object in four basic ways

a. energy will be reflected b. absorbed c. transmitted d. or converted

name sections or descriptions of additional evaluations or examinations that might be included in the crime scene report

a. evident fire patterns and fire flow evaluations on a fire scene b. trajectory analysis in a shooting scene c. bloodstain pattern analysis in violent scene d. electrostatic lifter examination for foot wear e. specialized chemical enhancements and their results

examination of glass from the crime scene is typically directed at one of three basic determinations

a. glass type determination b. direction of force determination c. sequence of force determination

the formal sketch, whether hand-drawn or computer generated, has five basic elements. what are they?

a. heading b. diagram c. legend d. title block e. scale and direction notations

there are a number of problems encountered in a crime scene photography. it is possible for the crime scene investigator to take photographs at the crime scene that create significant comprehension problems for the viewer. those comprehension problems include

a. identification problems b. orientation problems c. incomplete documentation

the most effective way of pulling salient facts from the crime scene investigator's notes is to organize the crime scene report into sections that deal with specific issues. Gardner and Krouskup suggest the following sections for the crime scene report

a. introduction b. characteristics of the scene c. conditions of the scene d. environmental conditions e. factors pertinent to entry and exit f. scene documentation g. collective of physical evidence h. search for latent prints i. additional examinations

Regarding officer safety, what are three specific areas to consider

a. is this a crime in progress and are there suspects on the scene b. are there natural hazards present that can inhibit or harm first responders c. are there man-made hazards present that can endanger first responders

without compromising the primary purpose of taking the photographs, the crime scene investigator can take certain steps to meet the legal requirements to be admissible in court. what are the three steps?

a. know how to use the camera, focus/lighting b. do not introduce abnormal angles in the photograph unless there is no other way to get the picture c. do not overuse the wide-angle lens as it introduces distortion

Any good crime scene examination requires five key ingredients. What are they?

a. knowledge b. skills and trades c. a methodical approach d. flexibility e. a coordinated effort

search swath size

a. nature and ground being searched b. lighting conditions c. on-scene environmental conditions d. size of the item being search for

a search of the scene will be required to locate any evidence that is present. whatever search method is used, there are several factors to consider regarding the area or search swath that a single searcher is responsible for the scene at any moment. the swath size (width of the area the searcher is viewing) is affected by the following factors

a. nature of the ground being searched b. lighting conditions c. on-scene environmental conditions d. size of the item being searched for

Crime scene photographs are used to support and enhance an understanding of the crime scene and the investigative report. there are three basic types of crime scene photographs, what are they?

a. overall photographs b. evidence establishing photographs c. evidence close-up forensic quality photographs

orientation issues

a. photographs are taken of an object with no scene reference (e.g. where is it in the scene) b. photographs are taken in which orientation is not clear (e.g. which way is up)

regarding camera control, what are the three basic aspects of the camera the crime scene investigator must be able to control in order to produce quality photographs

a. physical control b. light c. focus and depth of field

good quality photographs for crime scene work requires

a. physical control of the camera b. proper use of camera controls including aperture, shutter speed, and lens c. proper composition

in deciding where to establish an initial perimeter, the officer should consider the following

a. primary focal points b. natural entry and exit points. c. secondary scenes

Rifling refers to what two manufactured components of a barrel?

a. projections (lands) b. depressions (grooves)

problems with testimonial evidence

a. purposefully lie to investigators or the court b. misperceive events and report those misperceptions c. unknowingly fill in the blanks in their perception

overall observation by the investigator require significant effort. the best method is use an eight- step descriptive set. name the eight steps to document overall observation

a. quantity b. item c. color d. type of construction e. approximate size f. identifying features g. conditions h. location

there are six common mapping methods. name them

a. rectangular coordination b. triangulation c. baseline coordinates d. polar coordinates e. triangulation or rectangular coordinates on grid f. triangulation or rectangular coordinates on a baseline

the title block of the sketch typically includes which five items

a. report number b. physical address c. name of sketch creator d. time e. date

upon arrival at the scene, the crime scene team must seek out the initial responding officer. once found, this individual should be interviewed to determine the following

a. scene scope and nature b. changes to the scene c. status of involved parties d. scene security

The evidence linkage triangle reminds us that items of evidence are used to establish specific links or relationships between what three items?

a. scene(s) b. victim(s) c. subject(s)

the purpose of the debriefing and assessment by the CSI team is to consider five main issues. what are they?

a. scope of the scene b. scene integrity and contamination control c. team approach and composition d. search methods to be used e. personal protective measures

the composition of the crime scene team is first defined by whether the team's approach is one of area or function. some factors to consider before making a determination of area vs. function include

a. single or multiple scenes b. order of activity involving specialty examination needs c. available resources (equipment or personnel) d. physical size of the scene

list five biological materials that have the potential to provide DNA profiles

a. spittle b. semen c. sweat d. bone e. feces

The crime scene technician's methods must consider three specific scene-integrity issues

a. the addition of material to the scene b. the destruction of material in the scene c. the movement of material in the scene

after defining the points of access on the perimeter, the crime scene team must decided how they will document access control using the crime scene entry-control log. the entry-control log is a simple document that identifies

a. time in b. name/unit c. reason at the scene d. time out

incomplete documentation

a. too few photographs are exposed b. critical areas of the scene are forgotten

computer technology contributed to the development of digital mapping methods. what are the two major digital mapping methods applicable to crime scenes?

a. total station systems b. 3-D laser scanning methods

what type of containers are used to collect fire scene evidence, in which accelerants are believed to be present

a. unlined paint cans b. glass jars

entry and exit points for the crime scene team are not defined solely on ease of access. other considerations are in play as well. the primary considerations are:

a. what avenue of approach or departure did the perpetrator utilize? b. will the access point expose operations to unnecessary media scrutiny? c. what access points are available?

Bevel and Gardner (2008) defined four questions that the investigator should ask about evidence: what are they?

a. what is it? b. what function did it serve? c. what relationship does it have to any other items of evidence or to the scene itself? d. what does it tell us about timing and sequencing aspects?

ALS stand for

alternate light source

fingerprints are identified and individualized based upon "finding agreement of individual characteristics- with no unexplained dissimilarities." This is accomplished following the ACE-V methodology. What does this acronym stand for

analysis comparison evaluation verification

Going Back in Sequence

at any stage, if you find new evidence you go back to the beginning of the scene processing list

the vast majority of crime scene sketches are produced in which view

bird's eye

a single and complete unfired unit of ammunition is called a

cartridge

If carbon monoxide is a supplanting gas in a body, there is often a distinctive ___coloration of the skin.

cherry-red

____ _____ _______ is the most important tool the crime scene technician uses in any crime scene

clean white light

what is the purpose of processing the crime scene

collect as much information and evidence as possible in as pristine of condition as possible

Biological evidence collection

collect entire item if possible, particularly clothing, air dry thoroughly, before final packaging, once dry- refrigerate, package clothing by foldering inside butcher or wrapping paper, ensure no part of item overlaps onto another part. Where the stain is found may be of importance

what can the crime scene investigator use to keep track of each photograph taken at the scene? this item includes basic administrative data, the exposure number, what the photograph depicts and any remarks

crime scene photograph

__________ __________ results when one item of evidence is exposed to another piece of evidence, and evidence from the first is passed to the second, and vice versa

cross contamination

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid

_______ can be defined as anything that tends to prove or disprove a fact in contention

evidence

A penetrating defect has an entrance and an exit.

false

Absolute chronology is the sequencing of actions in relation to one another.

false

Cast-off is a Non-Spatter Stain.

false

It is acceptable policy to use the same vehicle to transport the victim and suspect in a rape investigation to the hospital for examination, as long as they are not in the vehicle at the same time.

false

Phenolphthalein is a confirmatory test for the presence of blood.

false

eyewitness testimony is more reliable than physical evidence

false

it is acceptable to replace an item of evidence that has been moved and represent it as the in situ scene

false

once the final report is written, the investigator's notes become redundant and unnecessary; therefore, they can be disposed of

false

searching a scene is considered non-intrusive

false

the departmental public information officer (PIO) should be a rookie police officer, in order to give them the most exposure to media techniques and develop the skills necessary to "speak to the camera"

false

there is only one single, foolproof methodology to ensure success at processing a scene

false

90% of ___ transfers lost in the first 8 hours

fiber

Crime scene processing of an examination and evaluation of the scene for the express purpose of recovering physical evidence and documenting the scene's condition __ _____, or as found

in situ

------- characteristics allow the forensic scientist to compare the item with a specific object or person and include or exclude it as having originated from it

individual

fracture match

or Mechanical fit. The alignment of the edges of two items of evidence, thereby showing that both items were previously joined together.

The National Fire Protection Association's Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations states that "with few exceptions, the proper methodology for a fire or explosion investigation is to first establish the _____ and then investigate the _________."

origins and cause

identification of fingerprints is based on

ridge details and minutia. minutia include: ridge endings, bifurcations, short ridges, and dots

a staging area used by criminals waiting for their victim, would be what kind of scene

secondary scene

STR

short tandem repeats combines both RFLP and PCR

Morphology

study of form

what is the purpose of a crime scene entry log

to document who enters the scene and why

the most effective method of fixing evidence in a crime scene is:

triangulation

what stabilizing device can be used to physically control the camera in order to ensure a sharp focus and produce better documentation, especially with close-up photographs

tripod

A body alive or dead, is effectively a crime scene within a crime scene and requires very specific and directed effort on the part of the crime scene investigator.

true

A droplet of liquid in flight is spheroid.

true

A laceration is due to blunt force trauma.

true

In nearly every jurisdiction in the United States, the body belongs to the Medical Examiner/Coroner. Before movement or manipulation of the deceased, the Medical Examiner/Coroner or Medical Examiner/Coroner Investigator should give approval.

true

It is imperative that the crime scene technician coordinate with fire authorities to obtain an understanding of how and where the fire was fought and what actions were taken during overhaul.

true

The methodology of event analysis allows the investigator to create an objective picture of specific elements of the crime or incident.

true

The product of scientific method is best described as an ever expanding, self-correcting body of knowledge.

true

The variations in combination of blood volumes and forces acting on those volumes lead to recognizable classes of patterns.

true

UV eye protection is necessary when employing any UV light source

true

a body lying in the middle of the room is a secondary scene

true

it is appropriate for the responding officer to stop EMS, explain the situation, and lead one of the EMS crew into the scene when the body is obviously deceased, e.g. decomposition, or fragmentation of the remains. This avoids additional personnel in the scene when they are not required, potentially reducing disturbance of the scene in an effort to maintain scene integrity

true

it is imperative that the investigating team debriefs the initial responding officer during the release of the scene from the responding officer to the investigating team

true

lifesaving always takes priority over evidence preservation

true

police officers, from patrolman to chief, represent a major threat to scene integrity

true

show marks are evaluated for manufactured class characteristics to include size, sole shape and tread design

true

the crime scene notes should document all investigative efforts on a scene, even a technique employed on scene achieves negative results

true

the crime scene report consolidate and synopsizes the relevant details from the crime scene investigator's notes

true

the purpose of a crime scene photograph is to accurately depict the scene without introducing distortion or visual bias

true

multilevel containment of the scene is accomplished by using a minimum of how many perimeters?

two

UV

ultraviolet light

Trace- hair and fiber collection

visible- collect immediately. seal in paper or glassine envelope -general collection- adhesive tape, 8-10 inch strips applied to item or area repeated. (use ASL when searching for fibers)

A _________ is an absence of stains in an otherwise continuous pattern.

void

initial notification

who called? what were they told? how did that individual come to know of the information?

confusion issues

-photographs show the scene in altered states -photographs show multiple similar items with no way to distinguish one from the other. this is particular true when photographing small objects like shell casings and bloodstains

The end goal of crime scene processing is the collection of the evidence and scene context in as pristine a condition as possible. To accomplish this, the crime scene technician engages in sex basic steps. What are they?

1. assessing 2. observing 3. documenting d. searching e. collecting f. analyzing

NM

1/1000000000

If the fire is not suppressed, when the temperature in a confined space reaches _________ degrees Fahrenheit, the phenomenon known as flashover will occur. In flashover, nearly any ignitable surface in the room will begin burning.

1100

when using triangulation as a mapping method, how many measurements are necessary to fix a irregularly shaped object, such as a gun, in the crime scene sketch?

2

when using triangulation as a mapping method, how many measurements are necessary to fix a regularly shaped object, such as a gun, in the crime scene sketch?

4

humans can visualize the radiant-energy spectrum, visualizing color from ____ nm through ____ nm wavelength

400 violet and 700 red

at ___ no wavelength, biological fluids are easily observed in combination with an orange filter

455 & 485

typical crime scene methods include alternative scene methods include

: standard or magnetic brush with black powder, super glue fuming (cyanoacrylate) : florescent powders- for contrasting surfaces, various chemical enhancements

Please provide the definition of a Cartridge.

A complete unit of un-fired ammunition. Typically, the cartridge is made up of a bullet and casting, with primers and propellant contained within.

What is Algor Mortis?

Algor Mortis is the loss of body heat from the corpse. The most common approach to determining body temperature is core temperature reading of the liver. This action is normally taken by the ME or the ME investigator. An additional approach is the use of digital thermometers that calculate core temperature from external surface readings (e.g., the forehead). If neither of these methods is possible an axial temperature can be taken by placing the thermometer in the armpit. The investigative notes should identify this as an axial reading. Body temperature is highly variable, with an initial period following death in which it is static, and any loss is effectively immeasurable. Ambient environmental conditions, body habitus (e.g., thin or fat body), chronic medical conditions and any number of other factors may affect heat loss after death.

What is the definition of a smear?

Any stain or pattern created by the transfer of blood from one object onto another, through some form of contact

As defined by the Association of Crime Scene Reconstruction, crime scene analysis is

As defined by the Association of Crime Scene Reconstruction, crime scene analysis is "the use of scientific methods, physical evidence, deductive and inductive reasoning and their interrelationships to gain explicit knowledge of the series of events that surround the commission of a crime."

_____ characteristics describe traits or characteristics of evidence that allow the item to be compared with a group

Class

GPR stands for

Ground penetrating radar

This is the angle of the muzzle in relation to the target using a horizontal reference line. It shows movement right or left and is measured using a protractor aligned with a horizontal plane.

Horizontal Angle or Angle of Departure

IR

Infrared

Please provide the definition of a Bullet/Projectile.

Is the sub-unit of a cartridge that is expelled from the firearm under the pressure created by the burning propellant. Bullets are typically a single mass of metal, with carrying constructions. (e.g. solid lead, semi- jacketed lead core, fully jacketed lead core) The projectile can be in some instances, "shot" consisting of various sized small lead or steel balls, expelled in a mass from long bore weapons (e.g. the typical shotgun) or in some instances from handguns and other weapons (e.g. snake-shot cartridges)

What is Livor Mortis?

Livor Mortis involves settling of blood in the body due to gravity after blood circulation ends. It may present itself as a light red to dark purple coloration in as little as 30 minutes following death. Livor discoloration will set and become "fixed" typically within eight hours of death, but this is highly variable and the Medical Examiner (ME) is always the best source of any time of death (TOD) estimations. Livor mortis found in areas that are inconsistent with the current position of the body may suggest subsequent manipulation or alteration of the body and should be noted and documented. When describing livor mortis in notes, identify both the location and color and whether the lividity is fixed. A simple procedure to test whether the lividity is fixed is to press a gloved finger against the area in question, if the lividity blanches (the blood is displaced by the pressure) then the livor mortis is not completely fixed

_______ principle of exchange is stated simply: "every contact leaves its trace."

Locard's

in most jurisdictions, who has responsibility for a deceased body

ME or coroner

What principle is defined as "Once exposed, blood will react to environmental conditions (e.g. air flow, temperature, humidity, variations of surface) in a predictable manner."

PAB (Physically Altered Bloodstain) Principal

_____ prints are fingerprints caused by the deposit of contaminants that are visible to the naked eye

Patent

RUVIS

Reflected Ultraviolet Imaging System a device that can locate prints on most nonabsorbent surfaces without the aid of chemical or powder treatments with an ultraviolet image converter for the purpose of detecting latent fingerprints

RFLP

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism- large samples required, but produce very high discrimination

Where does decomposition typically manifest itself first? What color is the discoloration?

Right lower quadrant of the abdomen blue/green

What is Rigor Mortis?

Rigor Mortis is an evident stiffening of the muscles of the body. Rigor mortis affects all muscles of the body at the same rate. However, it is typically evident in the smaller muscles (e.g., jaw and face) first and then manifests itself in larger muscle groups such as the extremities. It can appear within two hours of death and is typically at its greatest 8-12-hours following death. Unlike livor mortis, rigor will begin to break down and disappear from the body typically 24-48-hours after death. The factors affecting the onset and departure of rigor mortis are also highly variable and any estimation of TOD based on rigor is left to the ME. The technician can check the presence of rigor through observation (e.g., a body in a position that defies gravity) or through simple manipulation of the joints associated with the various muscle groups (e.g., jaw, face, neck, arms, or legs). When reporting rigor mortis, the most effective approach is to identify where rigor is noted and to what extent it is evident (e.g., slight, moderate, complete). As with livor mortis, if the rigor mortis is inconsistent with the final position of the body, this may indicate movement or alteration of the body.