the process of identifying, documenting, gathering, and packaging or retaining physical evidence
what is collecting/collection
A measured drawing of a scene, showing the relative location of all important items, particularly physical evidence.
what is a crime scene sketch
An inquiry into possible criminal activity based on logic, objectivity, and legal guidelines.
what is criminal investigation
A location at which a suspected criminal offense has occurred.
what is a crime scene
The unlawful entry of a structure with the intent to commit a felony or theft.
what is burglary
something that can help identify the responsible persons, establish an element of crime, reconstruct crime events or link crimes
what is evidence
genetic material (such as hair, blood and saliva) that can be used to link a suspect with a crime scene or criminal offense or to clear a suspect
what is DNA evidence
for the police, carrying out research to discover evidence and examine the facts surrounding an alleged criminal incident
what is investigate
application of science to analyze evidence involved in crimes
what is forensic science
An attack by one person on another with the purpose of inflicting severe bodily injury; usually involving a weapon or some other means likely to cause death or serious bodily harm.
what is aggravated assault
Raised layers of fingertip skin that form unique patterns of use in criminal investigations.
what are fingerprint ridges
carefully walking through the scene before starting any work to evaluate the situation, identify potential evidence, and determine resources needed; after the work has completed, it is done to ensure the scene has been effectively and completely processed
what is walkthrough
The collection of documents comprising information concerning a particular investigation. (This collection may be kept in case jackets, file folders, ring binders, boxes, file drawers, file cabinets, or rooms. Sub-files are often used within case files to segregate and group interviews, media coverage, laboratory requests and reports, evidence documentation, photographs, videotapes, audiotapes, and other documents.)
what is a case file
Any type of proof that, when legally presented during a trial, is admitted into the official record for the review of the judge and jury.
what is evidence
A crime more serious than a misdemeanor, generally punishable by incarceration in a state or federal prison for at least one year.
what is a felony
print impression that is not readily visible and it is made by contact with a surface
what is a latent print
A series of crime scene photographs taken in a sequential manner from general to specific subject matters.
what are coordinated photo series
written notes, audio/videotapes, printed forms, sketches and/or photographs that form a detailed record of the scene, evidence recovered, and actions
taken during the search of the crime scene, including chain of custody information
what is documentation
An object showing standard units of length (e.g., ruler) used in photographic documentation of an item of evidence.
what is a measurement scale
Intentionally damaging a building with fire or explosives.
what is arson
physical evidence that results from the transfer of small quantities of materials (hair, textile fibers, paint chips, glass fragments, gunshot residue particles)
what is trace evidence
undesirable transfer of material between two or more sources of physical evidence (DNA) from another source
The process by which evidence is handled, transferred, and accounted for between the time of discovery and disposition of the case.
what is chain of custody
The first 10 amendments of the US Constitution, which through judicial interpretation guide the action of criminal investigators.
what are the bill of rights
commission of an act to take another's property, using force
what is robbery