Crime Scene Basics
This is the first thing a CSI does upon arriving at a crime scene.
What is scene recognition?
This is a list of all people who came into possession of an item of evidence.
What is the chain of custody?
This amendment to the Constitution protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
This team member is responsible for taking photos and maintaining a photo log.
Who is the photographer?
This is the determination of the physical or chemical identity of a substance.
What is identificatio?
This is crucial to prevent contamination and preserve evidence.
What is securing the crime scene?
This type of packaging is generally preferred for dry evidence.
What is paper?
This is required for most searches, but there are exceptions.
What is a warrant?
This team member creates a rough and finished sketch of the crime scene.
Who is the sketch artist?
This compares a suspect specimen to a standard/reference specimen.
What is a comparison?
These are the three main goals of evidence collection.
What are reconstructing the crime, identifying the perpetrator, and preserving evidence for court?
This is the proper way to package hair evidence.
What is double packaging in paper (or plastic if completely dry)?
This doctrine allows officers to seize items in plain view without a warrant.
What is the Plain View Doctrine?
This team member assumes control, assigns tasks, and releases the crime scene.
Who is the team leader?
This Supreme Court case established that evidence collected without proper authority is likely inadmissible.
What is Mincey v. Arizona?
This principle states that every contact leaves a trace.
What is Locard's Exchange Principle?
This type of container is used for arson and fire evidence.
What is an airtight metal container?
This rule states that illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in court.
What is the Exclusionary Rule?
This team member describes and packages evidence, maintaining the chain of custody.
Who is the evidence recorder/collector?
This Supreme Court case clarified rules about warrantless searches after a fire.
What is Michigan v. Tyler?
This is the process of creating a visual and written record of the crime scene.
What is crime scene documentation?
This is the importance of maintaining the chain of custody.
What is ensuring the integrity and admissibility of evidence in court
This doctrine extends the exclusionary rule to any evidence derived from an illegal search.
What is the Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine?
These are some examples of specialists who might be called to a crime scene.
Who are anthropologists, blood experts, bomb technicians, criminalists, entomologists, medical examiners, etc.?
This is the term for clues or breaks in a case that move an investigation forward.
What are leads?