Classifying Evidence
Give 3 examples of direct evidence
a toxicology report, a signed ransom note, surveillance film, a taped confession, etc.
What is Locard's Exchange principal?
Every contact leaves a trace
List 3 members of the Crime Scene Investigation team
Police/district attorney, crime scene investigators, detectives, specialists, medical examiner
Name a piece of evidence from the Jon Benet Ramsey case
touch DNA on pants, blood on the underwear, ransom note, body found, etc.
What mental state would be best to have while making observations?
Relaxed/calm
Biological is only DNA and other bodily fluids - originates from a living thing
Physical is everything else including prints
What is the definition of the Chain of Custody?
The documented and unbroken transfer of evidence
List the 7 S's of investigating a crime scene in order
Securing the Scene
Separating Witnesses
Scanning the Scene
Seeing the Scene
Sketching the Scene
Searching the Scene
Securing and Collecting Evidence
Describe the crime of the Caylee Anthony case
Caylee Anthony was reported missing by her mother, then her remains were found in the woods.
Are eyewitness accounts always accurate? Explain why/why not
No, because we do not make good observations/remember everything
What is the difference between individual and class evidence?
Class evidence narrows it down to a small group of people, but individual evidence narrows it down to a specific person
Starts at an outer point and gradually moves toward the center
What happens during "seeing the scene"
Photographs of the evidence at the crime scene is taken
What was a piece of evidence found during the Caylee Anthony Case?
Chloroform, the stain in the car, internet search history, human hair found in car, etc.
What is the Innocence Project?
An organization that seeks to exonerate wrongfully convicted people
What is the difference between circumstantial evidence and direct evidence?
Direct evidence proves and alleged fact, while circumstantial evidence is used to imply a fact
What is a bindle?
A technique for packaging a small piece of evidence by folding it up in a piece of paper.
What should a crime-scene sketch include?
A scale of distance, a North direction, date and location of the crime scene
Who was an expert that testified for the trial of Casey Anthony? Do you think they should have been considered an expert?
What is the main reason that most people are wrongfully convicted?
Inaccurate eye-witness accounts
Give an example of individual evidence
DNA, blood, fingerprint, etc.
What does the Daubert Ruling mean for trials?
The judge rules who can be considered an expert witness and states whether they are "admissable"
Explain one difference between crime scene investigation on TV vs real-life
Answers will vary
What was the verdict of the Casey Anthony trial? Do you agree with the verdict and why?
She was found not guilty
What are 2 ways to improve our observational skills?
Answers will vary