This member would interview a witness about what they saw.
Who is the detective?
This search pattern divides a crime scene into separate areas that can be assigned to different investigators.
What is a zone/quadrant search?
This type of photograph provides a broad picture of the crime scene.
What is an overall photograph?
This should already have been completed before an investigator collects a piece of physical evidence, so its original condition & location are preserved.
What is documentation of the evidence and its location?
Small evidence such as hairs, glass fragments, paint flakes, and fibers falls into this general evidence category.
What is trace evidence?
This person determines the cause of death in a suspected homicide.
Who is the medical examiner/coroner?
This search pattern is especially useful for searching a large, open area quickly with many investigators.
What is a linear/parallel search?
This type of photograph connects a specific piece of evidence to a known feature in the scene.
What is a mid-range photograph?
This type of evidence should generally be collected first because it is at the greatest risk of disappearing or being damaged.
What is fragile or easily lost evidence?
This folded paper container can be used to keep small trace evidence from being lost.
What is a paper bindle/druggist fold?
This member will usually secure the scene.
Who are first responders/police officers?
This search pattern can begin at a point of interest and move outward in a curved manner and can be completed with relatively few investigators.
What is a spiral search?
Investigators should take this photograph from a 90o angle above the evidence.
What is a specific photograph?
An investigator finishes collecting one item and is ready to collect another. This should be done before collecting the next item to help prevent cross-contamination.
What is changing gloves?
A damp, bloodstained piece of clothing is collected at a crime scene. This should be done with it before it is packaged and it should be placed in this type of package.
Air dry completely & placed in a paper/breathable container.
These investigators document the crime scene in detail and collect physical evidence.
Who are crime scene investigators?
Investigators would use this pattern if they want a more thorough search than a linear search and are willing to spend additional time searching the area.
What is a grid search?
This measurement method measures from the item to at least two fixed points to establish its location.
What is triangulation?
An investigator discovers an object that must be moved to collect it. Why should the investigator pay special attention to the area underneath or around the object as it is moved?
What is moving the object may reveal additional evidence?
This record documents the possession and transfer of evidence and helps establish that evidence has not been subjected to tampering or misconduct.
What is the chain of custody?
This member of the investigation team may determine whether a search warrant is necessary.
Who is the district attorney?
Investigators complete this examination after their initial systematic examination of a crime scene, looking for evidence they may have missed.
What is a secondary search?
An investigator photographs a piece of evidence in the middle of a room using an overall photo, a mid-range photo, and a close-up with a scale. The investigator then uses a measurement from the closest wall to place the evidence on the sketch.
Identify TWO problems with the investigator’s documentation.
Evidence #1 is a set of keys, #2 is small trace evidence, and #3 is a liquid spill on the table.
Determine how each item is collected.
Different types of physical evidence require different collection and preservation techniques based on the nature and condition of the evidence.
1. Small trace evidence must be contained so it cannot be lost
2. Liquid evidence requires an appropriate leakproof/airtight container.
3.Keys can be placed in an evidence bag
FINAL JEOPARDY - Investigators discover a small piece of trace evidence at a crime scene. Before it is sent to the laboratory, name seven different actions investigators could take to properly document, collect, and preserve it.
Photographing the evidence before moving it, documenting its location, assigning/recording its evidence number, changing gloves before collection, using clean collection equipment, placing small trace evidence in an appropriately sized container or paper bindle, packaging it separately to prevent cross-contamination, properly sealing/labeling the package, and maintaining chain of custody