Crime Scene Follow-up Investigations

3 basic functions of evidence when offered in court

1) to prove or disprove a crime 2) to support or undermine other evidence 3) to help determine an appropriate sentence

A photo array should have a minimum of how many photographs?

6 photographs: 5 fillers with only 1 photo of the suspect

Follow-up investigation

A continuation of the initial investigation to determine if a crime occurred; however, it can also complete the investigation by identifying a suspect

What can you use to enhance lighting

A flashlight

Eyewitness

A person who can identify another person by sight as someone involved in a criminal proceeding

Independent Administrator

A person who is not participating in the investigation of the criminal offense and is unaware of which person in the lineup is the suspect.

Live lineup

A procedure that displays a group of people to a victim or eyewitness so they can identify the perp of a crime and eliminate any suspects

photo lineup

A procedure that displays a photo array to a victim or eyewitness so they can identify the perp of a crime and eliminate any suspects

Documented confidential informant

A type of confidential source who an officer recruits and manages based on their agency guidelines

When should sketching a crime scene occur?

After photographing the scene and before you begin any detailed work

Elimination prints

Allow fingerprints analysts to distinguish between prints belonging to either the victims and witnesses or the possible suspects. To make this distinction, take fingerprints from anyone who may have been at the crime scene to eliminate their prints from the pool of suspects

Latent prints

Among the most valuable and common types of physical evidence at crime scene. Although generally invisible to the naked eye, these prints result from body residues left behind when the friction ridges of the hands or feet make contact with a surface

Example of Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine

An illegal interrogation leads to the discovery of a murder weapon, the court may exclude both the results of the interrogation and the weapon

Field contact

Any person an officer has contact with while on patrol such as a concerned citizen or an anonymous complainant with a sense of civic duty who does not necessarily generate an incident report

Document

Anything containing a mark to convey a message

Fruits of a crime

Are the objects obtained by the defendant because of committing a crime

Examples of documentary evidence

Bank records, medical records, or a certified copy of a driving history

Example of objectionable question

Based on your knowledge of the facts of this incident, would you say that Mr. And Mrs. Smith have a violent relationship?

Overall photos

Begin at the perimeter of the crime scene and take a series of shots by framing an all inclusive or four- corner view of the scene

Oblique lighting

Better known as side lighting. This technique uses the flashlight at a low angle to show details by creating shadows on the surface of the impression

Evidence of entry or exit might include...

Broken glass or pry marks around doorways

Visible evidence that can be present on a victim

Bruises, lacerations, broken bones, gunshot wounds, blood, and trace or transfer evidence

How should you attempt to locate the point of the suspect's entry and exit?

By visually inspecting the scene

Example of contraband

CSAM found on a computer is both contraband and evidence

One type of objectionable question_________

Calls for someone to make a conclusion. Answering this type of what job requires you to make a decision on an issue, which is the job of the jury or judge

Paint transfer

Can provide useful evidence in solving crimes such as a hit-and-run crash.

Examples of privileged communication

Communication between a sexual assault counselor and a sexual assault victim, and communication between a domestic violence advocate and a domestic violence victim

The crime scene log provides proof of...

Crime scene security and validated the evidence collected at a crime scene

After obtaining the suspect's full name, race, gender, and DOB, conduct criminal justice database searches on__________ to compile an accurate physical description of the suspect, address, or vehicle

DAVID and FCIC/NCIC

What does the appearance of prejudice do?

Destroys credibility

Criminal history check

Determines whether the suspect has fingerprints on file for comparison to any latent fingerprints found at the crime scene

2 broad types of evidence

Direct and indirect(or circumstantial)

When preparing for a pretrial meeting...

Discuss the case with the appropriate agency personnel, such as your supervisor, watch commander, or crime scene and evidence personnel

What should you do if you believe money you find at a scene is counterfeit?

Document this, and collect the money as evidence. Your agency will have a process for contending and sending the money to the secret service

Questioned documents evidence

Documents they need examination to verify that they could be evidence

What does the preliminary investigation focus on?

Establishing whether a criminal act has been committed and, if so, what type and when and where it was committed

There is a legal distinction between____ and ______

Evidence and proof

Transitory evidence

Evidence that can blow or wash away

Example of indirect evidence

Eyewitness testimony that the defendant entered the victim's home around the time of the crime

Who maintains a database of counterfeit currency with information?

FCIC/NCIC

True or false: the victim or eyewitness must acknowledge receiving the instructions before reviewing the photo array. If they refuse to sign the acknowledgment, document the refusal, and do not sign the acknowledgment yourself

False

True or false: when used in a photo lineup, a photo array is not an efficient tool to identify a suspect

False

True or false: when you find a cell phone at a crime scene, you may access the information contained in the cell phone even if you do not have consent from the owner or a search warrant

False

True or false: after you enter the scene to process evidence, determine if the location is public or private property

False (before you enter)

Rule of sequestration

Forbids anyone who will testify from discussing any aspect of a case with anyone but the involved attorneys. You are not permitted inside the court room or within hearing distance of the court room when other witnesses are giving testimony

Patent prints

Form from friction ridged or corrugated lines on fingers. Wet paint, blood, grease, ink, or dirt, transfers and makes these prints readily visible

Broadly, Crime Scene Photography moves from...

General to specific

Separating involved people will...

Help each one focus on what they saw or heard and maintain the interfaith of their statements

Capturing latent prints can...

Help identify the suspect(s) in the crime you are currently investigating, but can also help identify any part or future suspect(s) in other crimes

good faith exception doctrine

Holds that if you execute a search warrant that you believe to be valid, and a court later determines that the warrant has a legal error, the court may still admit any seized evidence

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine

Holds that the court may exclude evidence from trial if the officer obtained it illegally

Trace evidence can inclue

Human hair, animal hair, textile fibers and fabric rope, feathers, soil, glass, and building materials

Example of photographic framing

In overall or midrange photography, overlap the photos to show the relationships of items in the crime scene

What do you do if you are I bake to arrest The wanted person?

Initiate a BOLO for the suspect, and pass any suspect information to the next shift and the appropriate department within your agency

What should you do if someone is not behind the crime scene tape?

Instruct people to move behind the crime scene tape, advising that refusal may result in arrest

When the independent administrator is presenting the photo array simultaneously, they will...

Instruct the victim or eyewitness to mark which photo is the suspect, and have the victim or eyewitness sign and date the array

Plastic print

Is a molded or embedded fingerprint created by touching an impressionable surface, such as fresh paint, wax, bar of soap, or mud that you can easily see

Testimonial Evidence

Is a witness statement that tends to prove or disprove facts about the case. It includes testimonies of LEOs, experts, and other witnesses

Contraband

Is any property that is illegal for a person to possess based on statute, ordinance, or rule

Evidence

Is anything that tends to prove or disprove the existence of a fact

Documentary evidence

Is anything written or printed that is offered to prove or disprove facts pertaining to the case

Photographic framing

Is composing the photograph so that it depicts what you are trying to document

Trace evidence

Is small quantities of material transferred from a victim or suspect to each other or to a crime scene

Crime scene

Is the location that a crime occurred; it is an area that contains evidence from the crime committed

Microanalysis

Is the process of analyzing trace evidence with a microscope to determine a possible source or origin

Purpose of an investigation

Is to determine what happened during an incident, identify and locate the suspect, and develop enough evidence to establish probable cause to make an arrest

Is it easier to reduce the size of a perimeter or enlarge it?

It is easier to reduce

How can a crime scene sketch help you?

It supplements your field notes and photographs and helps with report writing

When a showup is not a consideration or successful in identifying a suspect, a _______ should become a part of your follow-up investigation

Lineup

How do you begin a follow-up investigation?

Locate and review the records of the initial or preliminary investigation, and establish a case file as required by your agency

How should you look and dress if you are to appear at a trial or hearing before or after a shift?

Look professional and dress in uniform, or follow agency policies and procedures regarding appropriate dress for a court appearance

What should you do before conducting an investigation?

Make sure the crime occurred within your jurisdiction

modus operandi

Meaning mode of operating or MO, refers to how someone does something, usually repetitive in nature

Example of fruits of a crime

Money stolen by a bank robber

Do officers not assigned to the crime scene have access just be cause they are LEOs?

No

Can you use your personal cell phone when photographing?

No, use your agency digital camera with a flash

Showup

Occurs during the same time or soon after the incident occurred and near the incident or crime scene

Sequential presentation

Occurs when an independent administrator presents individual photographs to the victim or witness one at a time.

Standard camera flashes will project...

Only 9-12 ft

3 types of photos to take at a crime scene

Overall, midrange, and then close up

Why is testimonial evidence less reliable than physical evidence?

People perceive events differently, do not remember accurately, or lie

Confidential source

People who furnish police with information about crimes, primarily for personal benefit or advantage and rarely out of a sense of civic duty

Based on the circumstances, which type of evidence gets photographed first?

Perishable, transitory, and fragile evidence

When should you use oblique lighting?

Photographing shoe/tire impressions or tool marks

2 main types of information

Private records and public records

Direct evidence

Proves a fact without an inference or presumption and which, if true in itself, conclusively establishes that fact

What do leads do?

Provide more information on a case that requires further investigation. It also creates avenues for follow-up and can come from many sources, such as, anonymous tips, confidential sources, social media, forensic analysis, surveillance footage, and victim and witness statements

Physical or real evidence

Refers to actual objects offered to prove or disprove facts about a case

Admissibility of evidence

Refers to the legal requirements you must meet before a jury can see or hear about the evidence

indirect or circumstantial evidence

Requires an inference or presumption to establish a fact

What to do if there are injured people at a scene

Responding officers may have to provide first aid. If you provide first aid, remember to use PPE

Riley v. California

Ruled that it is unconstitutional to search a cell phone without a search warrant unless there are officer safety concerns or exigent circumstances

When photographing specific items, such as blood droplets, weapons, or tire marks, place a _________ in the photograph with the evidence to establish the original positions and draw attention to relevant objects or evidence

Scale or identifier

Close-up photos

Show the detail of a specific item of evidence and must include a scale or identifier

Midrange photos

Show the relationship between the evidence items within the scene

Why should you use proper lighting?

So the photograph is neither too dark nor too light to see detail. It also avoids glare and flashback from a mirror or glass

What should you look for when securing the scene?

Sources of information about, and evidence of, the crime

What do you do if you hear an objection?

Stop speaking until the judge rules it

Examples for handling wet evidence

Such as items soaked with body fluids or living plant material, must be air-dried, packaged in breathable containers such as paper bags, or both.

Who will usually coordinate duties such as evidence collection, securing the scene perimeter, and other assignments? They will also assign shifts for officers, taking weather and staffing limitations into consideration

Supervisor or investigator

Example of instrumentalities

The crowbar used by a burglar to gain entry into the building

Admissibility of evidence protects...

The defendant's constitutional rights, guards jurors from being misled or confused, and can expedite a trial

What should the initial or preliminary report document?

The initial investigative steps taken at the scene

The size of the scene depends on...

The type of crime, the type of evidence, and the location of the evidence; for example a burglary may involve an entire apartment complex or just one apartment

Examples of perishable evidence

This type of evidence can include blood, footprints and tire impressions, or trace evidence such as hair or fibers.

Chain of custody

To document everyone who handled the evidence as well as when, why, and what changes, if any, were made to it

Why will a defense attorney try to build rapport with you?

To get as much information as possible and to lull you into a false sense of security. They may also try to lead you to say that you are an expert when that is not the case

Examples of physical or real evidence

Trace evidence, biological and touch DNA evidence, impression evidence, firearms evidence, electronic evidence, chemical, or toxicological evidence, and questioned documents evidence

True or false: Biological evidence at a scene may contain DNA. Consider all object at a crime scene as possible sources of DNA evidence

True

True or false: a larger crime scene also helps keep crowds away from the evidence

True

True or false: avoid using agency issued cell phone camera; the court may subpoena the information on your phone

True

True or false: consider all objects at a crime scene as possible sources of fingerprints

True

True or false: field contacts are common sources of information, developed through community policing, and can assist you in completing an investigation

True

True or false: never handle evidence with your bare hands

True

True or false: private records of privately owned businesses or organizations, including privately owned utilities, are not open to the public, including law enforcement, and require court orders to access them

True

True or false: when you find money at a crime scene, follow your agency's policies and procedures for handling it as evidence, and always be careful to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

True

True or false: crime scene perimeters should be larger rather than smaller

Trueb

Zone/quadrant search pattern

Used for vehicle searches, both indoors and outdoors, or a large area. Divide the area into four different sections and search each area using one of the other patterns.

What happens if wet evidence is packaged improperly?

Wet items will deteriorate to a point where they have no value as evidence

Can a person be a crime scene or part of a crime scene?

Yes

Do you have the authority to arrest any person who, after receiving a warning, crosses and area marked by crime scene tape?

Yes

If judge overrules objection________

You must answer the question

If the judge sustains the objection_______

You should not answer the question

Photo array

a selection of photographs compiled to show to a victim or eyewitness in a non-suggestive manner for the purpose of identifying a suspect

Fragile evidence

can include a bullet hole in glass held into place by a thin window tint.

Crime scene log

is a document that details the name, rank, and agency of each person entering or leaving the scene, the date and time of the person's entry or exit, and the reason the person was at the scene.

Public property

is for the use and enjoyment of the public and is open to the public.

Simultaneous presentation

occurs when the independent administrator presents a group of photographs to the victim or witness all at once, at the same time.

Grid search pattern

often used indoors, this is a variation of the strip/ line search pattern. Searchers overlap a series of lanes in a cross pattern, making the search more methodical and thorough.

What is the first event that should take place when documenting a crime scene?

photographing the scene

Spiral search pattern

usually used outside by one person. The searcher begins at a certain point and walks in increasingly larger circles to the outermost boundary of the search area.

Strip/line search pattern

usually used outside by several people. Divide the search area into lanes. Have one or more people search each lane by moving in both directions, examining all areas.

Types of trace evidence

• Hair • Fibers, clothing • paint chips, transfer evidence • glass • wood • soil, dirt

Types of biological evidence

• blood • semen • saliva • bones • teeth • body tissues • hair • touch DNA

Types of electronic evidence

• cell phones • thumb drives • laptops, notebooks, tablets, computers • smart home and security devices • external hard drives • digital cameras • CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes • answering machines, digital recording devices

Types of Questioned documents evidence

• checks • bank statements • address books • wire transfers • credit cards • phone bills • photographs or cameras • photo copies

Types of firearm evidence

• weapons • projectiles • gunshot residue • cartridge cases • took marks • database information

Instrumentalities

are the items used by the defendant to commit the crime.

Private property

belongs to an individual and is not open to the public.