Evidence Types
Non-living materials like glass, metal, or bullets are what kind of evidence?
Physical evidence
A size 9 Nike sneaker print is an example of what kind of evidence?
Class evidence.
Define Chin of Custody in one sentence.
The documented history of who handled evidence, when, and why.
What vehicle was O.J. in during the famous chase?
White Ford Bronco
What’s the first step of the “7 S’s” of crime scene investigation?
Secure the scene.
Saliva, blood, and hair are examples of what kind of evidence?
Biological
A DNA profile from saliva is an example of what kind of evidence?
Individual evidence.
What happens if the chain of custody is broken?
Evidence may be ruled inadmissible in court
Name one major piece of evidence collected at the crime scene.
Bloody glove, blood samples, hair/fibers, shoe prints
What does “separate the witnesses” mean and why is it important?
Keep witnesses apart to prevent collusion and altered stories.
Which category of evidence does a shoe impression fall under?
Physical
What type of evidence is a strand of hair without a root?
Class evidence (biological).
On a custody log, which 3 things must always be recorded?
Name/initials, date/time, and action taken.
What was the biggest controversy with the “bloody glove”?
Mishandling and contamination made it unreliable; glove didn’t fit in court.
What does “see the scene” involve?
Taking photographs and recording visual evidence of the scene.
Why is it important to classify evidence as physical or biological?
It determines the tests/analysis methods used by forensic scientists.
A latent fingerprint with minutiae points is what type of evidence?
Individual
What is one example of an error that could break the chain of custody?
Missing signature, wrong date, unreadable entry, skipped transfer.
How did media coverage affect the O.J. case?
It turned it into a spectacle, influenced public opinion, and increased pressure on investigators.
Sketching the scene must include two specific things. Name them.
A scale and a key/legend.
A bloody tissue contains what 2 types of evidence?
Biological (blood) Physical (Tissue as the evidence).
Why might a soda can be considered both class and individual evidence?
The can itself is class evidence (mass-produced), but fingerprints/DNA on it can individualize it.
Why is chain of custody as important as the evidence itself?
Even perfect evidence is useless in court if its handling cannot be verified.
What lesson did forensic scientists learn from the O.J. Simpson trial?
Mishandling or poor documentation can undermine strong evidence and weaken prosecution.
Why is documentation at a crime scene as important as evidence collection?
Without proper notes, sketches, and photos, evidence may lose context and be challenged in court.