Solving a Crime
True or false:
When securing a scene, the officer should tape off the area only around where the crime occurred
False!
Officers will tape off a larger area to make sure that evidence that isn't directly where the crime took place can still be found, collected and analyzed
Proof or facts that something has happened
Evidence
True or false
A footprint can give you the exact height and weight of a suspect
False
Footprints can be used to infer about the height of a suspect, but only if they are an adult
True or False
No two people on the planet have the same fingerprints
True
True or false
You can collect DNA from a drop of dried blood
True
Why is it important for crime scene investigators to wear protective covering (masks, gloves, booties) before they enter a crime scene?
So they do not contaminate the scene
A suspect's reason for why they could not have committed a crime
Alibi
Unique characteristics that would make someone's show slightly different
Accidental characteristics
What are fingerprints made up of?
Ridges
What needs to be attached to a hair in order to collect DNA evidence from it?
The root
What is the first step in gathering evidence at a crime scene?
Taking pictures.
Investigators will take hundreds of photos without disturbing the scene.
A person who has observed an activity or event take place
Witness
A design at the bottom of a shoe
Tread pattern
A fingerprint pattern in which the ridges start on one side of the finger and finish on the other side of the finger
An arch
What does saliva contain that allows for DNA testing?
Cells shed from the inner lining of the mouth
What do evidence bags need to be marked with?
Time, date, name of person who collected, case number and evidence number
Using observations and information given to us, as well as our background knowledge, to draw a conclusion that makes sense
Inference
Size, brand, tread and colour are all examples of...
Class characteristics
This is what causes our fingerprint pattern to transfer onto objects we touch
Oil, perspiration and amino acids
What are the 3 parts of hair?
Cuticle, Cortex and Medulla
When someone is taken to court for a crime, what must the evidence do in order to find this person guilty?
Prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is guilty of committing the crime.
An understanding of our own bias and how our opinions and feelings could interfere with how we look at information, problems and people
Objective
A chart used to identify and separate different types of shoes. This can also be used for other applications.
A dichotomous key
What are the 4 types of fingerprints?
Arch, tented arch, whorl and loop
What can investigators use fibre evidence for?
Determine what a suspect was wearing, determine the make and manufacturer of clothing, determine if a victim was in contact with specific material, limit suspect pool if material is from rare item