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