Final Exam

How are bullets marked for evidence and why?

Bullets are marked for evidence by marking the package each individual bullet is placed into

What type of fire pattern can result from direct flame involvement?

Char Patterns

True or False. Controlling the scene and everyone in it requires cordoning off a section of the immediate scene and having witnesses wait there.

False

True or False: Cross contamination of serological evidence is never an issue when handling a single item of stained clothing.

False

True or False: Fingerprints differ in every individual except identical twins.

False

True or False: In order to preserve fragile evidence, officers generally have the authority to prevent EMS from entering a scene.

False

True or False: It is the responsibility of the crime scene technician to collect the evidence without altering the scene

False

True or False: Lifesaving is attended to after ensuring the scene is secure and evidence is preserved.

False

True or False: The actions of the initial responding officer have little overall impact on the successful resolution of an investigation.

False

True or False: The analysis and evaluation of physical evidence is flawless when compared to testimonial evidence.

False

True or False: in order or sequence in which processing is completed has no impact on the resulting investigation

False

True or False: there is only one right way to process the crime scene

False

The concept of "going back" in the processing methodology means

Returning to an earlier step, in order to bring a newly discovered item of evidence to the same level of processing as other items

once the body is moved from the scene, what area is of specific interest that the crime scene investigator must consider? why?

The area under the body becomes an important area the crime scene investigator must consider

The interpretive value of evidence is a function _____ of and the item's surroundings.

Time

True of False: The 4R rule for glass fragment examination states that ridge lines are at right angles to the rear of radial fractures.

True

True or False: An example of an unpredictable effect is the movement of a weapon in the crime scene by a first responder, which remains unreported and unrecognized by the crime scene team.

True

True or False: Class characteristics are most effective for eliminating an item from inclusion in a group, reducing the necessity of conducting further time or resource consuming examinations.

True

True or False: Documenting the scene is an intrusive act in and of itself, requiring a specific order of activity.

True

True or False: During the approach to the scene the initial responding officer must consider a variety of threats including: man-made hazards, natural hazards and possible on-scene suspects.

True

True or False: Flexibility, as an ingredient of good crime scene examination means the ability to confront odd or unique situations with novel ideas or to handle contradictory and competing needs at the scene without reverting to mere arbitrary compliance with a checklist.

True

True or False: It is important to the investigation that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel be interviewed as soon as possible to determine who was there and what action they took in the scene.

True

True or False: Mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) is currently used as a class characteristic that allows a DNA source to be included or excluded in a blood line on the matriarchal side.

True

True or False: The only agenda a crime scene investigator has is the desire to determine the truth regarding what transpired in the scene and who was involved.

True

True or False: The statement "the call you got isn't the call you get" simply means that the initial information provided to the police is often incorrect

True

True or False: Typical impression evidence includes shoe and tire marks, but also includes evidence such as tool marks.

True

True or False: assessing the scene in the first step taken in the processing methodology and a continuous step

True

True or False: the activity of searching the scene is accomplished in several stages. initial stages are visual, while later searches are physical

True

besides a standard "birds eye" view, the crime scene sketch can also be drawn as

a cross projection sketch (walls laid down) and an elevation sketch (one or more vertical surfaces are drawn)

the crime scene report should not include what?

a discussion of only central theme items and a discussion on why a suspect committed the crime

who is the best qualified person to examine a live rape victim?

a s.a.n.e nurse

The six basic activities the crime scene technician engages in at the scene are

assessing, observing, documenting, searching, collecting, and analyzing.

When deciding what avenue of approach to use for entry and exit of the crime scene team, what is considered?

availability of access points, media scrutiny, ease of access, avenues of entry and exit by the perpetrator

A stove burner that is on in a crime scene is an example of: a. A predictable effect. b. A functional detail. c. A relational detail. d. None of the above.

b. A functional detail.

The three scene integrity issues are: a. Addition, destruction and loss of material in the scene. b. Addition, destruction and movement of material in the scene. c. Addition, creation of post incident artifacts and corruption of material in the scene. d. None of the above.

b. Addition, destruction and movement of material in the scene.

At any critical incident the initial responding officer seeks to: a. Identify perpetrators and bring the site under control. b. Bring the site under control and coordinate resources. c. Bring the site under control and release the scene to supervisors. d. None of the above.

b. Bring the site under control and coordinate resources.

The initial responding officer considers which of the following when defining where to place the initial perimeter: a. Primary focal points, secondary scenes and body dump sites. b. Primary focal points, avenues of entry and exit and secondary scenes. c. Primary focal points, avenues of entry and exit and the presence or absence of a crowd. d. None of the above.

b. Primary focal points, avenues of entry and exit and secondary scenes.

The forensic linkage triangle considers evidence in relation to which of the following? a. Suspect(s), victim(s) and motive(s). b. Suspect(s), victim(s) and scene(s). c. Scene(s), opportunity and motive(s). d. None of the above.

b. Suspect(s), victim(s) and scene(s).

What are the two primary goals of concern to the initial responding officer when reacting to any critical incident?

bring the scene under control and coordinate their resources.

The five objectives of the initial responder at any crime scene include: a. Document initial information, provide for emergency care, secure and control the scene, provide an initial statement to the media and release the scene to appropriate authorities. b. Document initial information, provide for emergency care, secure and control the scene, provide an initial statement to the media and conduct a preliminary scene examination. c. Document initial information, provide for emergency care, secure and control the scene, not become a casualty and release the scene to appropriate authorities. d. Document initial information, provide for emergency care, secure and control the scene, conduct a preliminary scene examination and release the scene to appropriate authorities.

c. Document initial information, provide for emergency care, secure and control the scene, not become a casualty and release the scene to appropriate authorities.

When recovering a 2-dimensional impression from a porous surface, which of the following methods can be used: a. Rubber lifter. b. Dental stone casting. c. Gelatin lifer. d. None of the above.

c. Gelatin lifer

Of the available methods for DNA analysis, which of the following is the best for individualization in forensic analysis? a. RFLP. b. PCR. c. STR. d. mDNA.

c. STR

patterned searches allow the crime scene technician to methodically search the scene:

circle, strip or line, grid, point to point and zone

Forensic analysis of a pistol casing includes evaluating: a. Ejector marks. b. Firing pin marks. c. Breech block marks. d. All of the above. e. A and B.

d. All of the above

An alternate light source (ALS) can be used in the following ways: a. To locate semen urine or saliva using UV light (365-415 nm). b. As a crime scene search tool using a broad pass band filter (430-520 nm). c. To observe fluoroscein reactions in bloodstains using wavelengths of 455-485nm. d. All of the above.

d. all of the above

Comparison of soil samples is based on environmental variations from one sample to the next. What are some of the most significant forms of environmental variation?

environmental characteristics. For example, pollen is a unique environmental characteristic.

when excavating a grave which of the following are included in the basic technique? a. Using a trowel as a digging instrument to shovel out backfill dirt. b. Keeping the dig in phase, so as not disturb lower layers of the grave. c. Using small brushes to clear objects of dirt. d. Mapping objects to a grid and identifying elevation data in the grave. e. All of the above. f. B, C and D.

f. B, C, and D

True of False. Blood will brightly fluoresce when exposed to Ultra Violet light.

false

True of False. The fingerprint search is directed at the "best surfaces" found in the scene (e.g. mirrors, television screens).

false

True or False. Human skin is not an effective surface for producing latent fingerprints; therefore there is little reason to attempt to recover them.

false

True or False. It is better to try on-scene techniques when presented with porous surfaces, rather than submitting them to the lab.

false

True or False. The Condition of the Scene section of a crime scene report is intended to describe the building, any doors and openings and the static conditions found at the scene.

false

True or False. The Electro Static Lifting Device (ESLD) can be used on any surface including wet ones.

false

True or False. The Environmental Conditions section of the crime scene report is used merely to discuss the exterior conditions (e.g. raining, snowing, sunshine).

false

true or false good crime scene photographs eliminate the need for detailed notes in the overall observation phase of crime scene processing

false

true or false the basic purpose behind creating a crime scene sketch is to create a drawing of the scene that is accurate in every detail

false

true or false the crime scene report should be synopsis and report only that information that ultimately supports the conclusions of the technician

false

true or false triangulation on a baseline is primarily used as an interior scene mapping method

false

true or false. It is imperative to restate in the Collection of Evidence section of the crime scene report all facts pertaining to what evidence was recovered by whom and exactly where, even if the organization uses a consolidated evidence collection log.

false

true or false: a primary purpose of a fire investigation is to establish if the fire was an arson

false

true or false: contusions (bruises) always appear over the site of injury

false

true or false: copper and lead are the only mechanism of verifying that a defect is caused by a bullet

false

true or false: due to the accuracy in which a total station system measures angles it is imperative to set the instrument exactly to the magnetic north prior to taking any readings.

false

true or false: it is a good idea to allow young officers to act as the public information officer for media releases on scene

false

true or false: it is best to examine a fire scene from the most heavily damaged area to the least damaged area

false

true or false: it is the responsibility of the crime scene technician to collect the evidence without altering the crime scene

false

true or false: non-intrusive techniques for locating buried bodies rarely work

false

true or false: notes by the crime scene technician become unnecessary when good photographs and sketches are completed as a part of the scene processing.

false

true or false: once completely set, rigor mortis remains constant in the body

false

true or false: once the body is recovered from the grave there is rarely any physical evidence remaining in the grave itself

false

true or false: once the crime scene technician photographs the body is it lays, it is immediately placed into a body bag for transport from the scene

false

true or false: rectangular coordinates are more effective at fixing evidence than triangulation techniques

false

true or false: running commentary on the audio track of the video photography by the crime scene investigators is a standard and functional crime scene practice

false

true or false: the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence is flawless when compared to testimonial evidence

false

true or false: the combination of probes and methane detectors are a good example of a functional non-intrusive search technique

false

true or false: the crime scene investigator can never take too many photographs

false

true or false: the function of an evidence establishing shot is to frame the evidence with a scale of reference

false

true or false: the most effective crime scene light is the halogen work light, as it allows colors to be viewed without distortion

false

true or false: the most effective technique for mapping a grave site is triangulation

false

true or false: the primary characteristic that defines an incised wound is an irregular margin with tissue bridging

false

true or false: there is only one right way to process a crime scene

false

true or false: using the rules of triangulation, when mapping a regular shaped object, the crime scene technician takes two measurements form the center of the mass of the evidence to two different landmarks in the scene

false

When evaluating glass fractures for direction of force, which fragments can be used in the evaluation?

fragments containing primary radial fractures and fragments containing radial fractures segments.

the essential elements of the crime scene sketch include

heading, legend, diagram area, title block, scale and direction notations

the major problems associated to crime scene photography are

identification problems, orientation problems, confusion problems, and incomplete documentation

describe the basic steps used to conduct a bloodstain pattern analysis

identify patterns among different bloodstains, classify them based on their characteristics, evaluate the direction, angle and source the spatter came from, and double check analysis with another member on the team.

when processing a scene involving scattered remains over a wide area, what would be the most effective search technique?

line search

During initial observations, the crime scene technician accomplishes an initial scan of the scene, this includes.

looking for victims, central theme items, secondary scenes, avenues if entry or exit and fragile evidence.

name two observational conditions that are inconsistent with life

massive head trauma, massive blood loss

measuring polar coordinates that do not involve elevation data involves the following information

measuring the horizontal angle and the horizontal distance

the primary scene documentation consists of

notes, reports, sketches and photographs

The factors that are taken into consideration before making a decision on whether to use an area or functional team approach include

number of scenes, order of activity for specialty exams, available resources, and the physical size of the scene

Rynearson and Chisum identified five ways in which context manifests itself in the crime scene, what are they?

predictable effects, unpredictable effects, transitory effects, relational detail, and functional detail

stiffening of the muscles in the corpse is called

rigor mortis

what is the general rule regarding the relationship of a bloodstain/s shape and impact angle

shape of the spatter provides information as to what angle it came from as well as how it hit the surface.

two primary categories of bloodstain pattern taxonomy

spatter (circular or elliptical) and non-spatter (not circular or elliptical)

what fingerprinting techniques are considered to be normal "on-scene" techniques:

superglue fuming and small particle regent

who has the primary responsibility for estimating time of death

the medical examiner

What is the most significant class characteristic in shoe mark examinations and why?

the tread of the shoe. It provides the size, brand as well as the ware of the shoe.

the best circumstances for the crime scene technician when evaluating bullet trajectories is when

there are multiple corresponding defects in solid surfaces and an associated penetrating or perforating wound

notes and crime scene reports share common characteristics

they are detailed, accurate and understandable

The interpretive value of evidence is a function of what?

time and the item's surroundings

True or False. For purposes of choosing a fingerprint method, paper products and cardboard are considered to be porous surfaces.

true

True or False. Superglue fuming as a fingerprinting process is an effective on-scene technique primarily because it stabilizes the latent prints on a variety of surfaces.

true

True or False: Multilevel isolation involves using a minimum to two perimeters to isolate the crime scene

true

True or False: the inner most perimeter which defines the true crime scene is the only perimeter that must have an entry control log

true

True or false: when deciding upon how large of a search swathe to assign in patterned searches, the crime scene supervisor must consider the nature of the ground being searched, the lighting conditions, the on-scene environmental conditions and the size of the item being searched for.

true

true or false although the rough sketch created at the crime scene is not intended to be a work of art, it is expected to reflect the layout and orientation of the scene

true

true or false any observation made at the crime scene and recorded in notes could be of significance at a later date

true

true or false crime scene notes are generally more detailed than the resulting crime scene report

true

true or false crime scene notes must be retained even after creating the crime scene report

true

true or false in some cases a firearms examiner can evaluate trace evidence and damage to a bullet to establish what targets the bullet struck and in what order

true

true or false the baseline mapping method is effective when presented with an exterior scene with few landmarks

true

true or false the underlying method of both polar coordinates and total station systems is based on land surveying techniques

true

true or false: a major factor affecting algor mortis is environmental conditions

true

true or false: all materiel removed from the grave as fill, should be screened to ensure that small objects are not missed

true

true or false: an effective method or creating overall photographs is too shoot across the scene from the four corners of the scene limits

true

true or false: fire signs are important in the fire scene investigation as they provide the best indication of how the fire moved through the scene. this information helps identify the origin of the fire

true

true or false: lacking a managed waste site and some specific intelligence about when a body was dumped, looking for a body in a landfill is unlikely to be successful

true

true or false: once completely set, livor mortis remains constant in the body

true

true or false: one of the first actions and considerations of the crime scene investigator is to recheck the status of assumed corpses on-scene

true

true or false: personal protective equipment includes eye protection, inhalation protection, liquid contact protection.

true

true or false: prior to entering a structure damaged by fire or explosion, it is appropriate to seek counsel from the fire department or a structural engineer

true

true or false: the function of a photo log is to keep a record of what photographs were taken and why

true

true or false: the hazards present in the crime scene are not limited to bio-hazards from blood and bodily fluids

true

true or false: the line search is very effective for searching over open and rough terrain

true

true or false: the use of photo placards in a second series of overall photographs can significantly reduce the problems associated with creating evidence establishing photographs

true

true or false: there is an empirical relationship between the shape of a bullet defect and the angle at which it struck a target surface

true