Unit 3 - The Crime Scene
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Crime Scene
any place where evidence may be located and gathered to help explain events
Modus Operandi
the characteristic method of operation of a criminal; sometimes referred to as MO
Accelerant
a flammable substance used to help start a fire
Chain of Custody
a written record of all people who have had possession of an item of evidence
Methods of documenting a crime scene
Notes, Photography, Video, Crime scene sketch
Methods of searching a crime scene
Strip, Grid, Zone, Spiral
Difference between a coroner and a medical examiner
Coroner is an elected position and has more to do with the protocol of dealing with a dead body. A medical examiner is an appointed position and has a medical background.
Two Things Law Enforcement Must Prove for Conviction
A crime has occurred. The suspect has committed the crime.
ADAPT
Assess the scene and assist any wounded. Detain the witnesses. Arrest the perpetrator. Protect the crime scene. Take notes.
How should bloody articles be packaged?
Let blood dry and then place it paper or cardboard (never plastic)
How should arson evidence be packaged?
In an airtight container so any accelerant fumes cannot escape.
How should glass evidence be packaged?
in a rigid container to prevent cuts
Corpus delicti
body of the crime
Four major steps in crime scene investigation
Recognition, Identification, Individualization, Reconstruction
Five different categories of manner of death
Natural, Homicide, Suicide, Accidental, Undetermined
Cause of death
The injury or disease that caused a person’s death
Mechanism of death
The physical reason for the death
Difference between cause of death and mechanism of death
Cause of death is the injury or disease that led to the death. Mechanism of death is what led to the death. Example - A person is stabbed and then bleeds to death. The cause of death is stabbing. The mechanism of death is blood loss.