California Department of Corrections Crime Scene and Evidence Preservation 1 5/17/00.

California Department of CorrectionsCalifornia Department of Corrections

Crime Scene and Evidence

Preservation


Preservation

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“…testimony, writings, material objects, or other

things presented to the senses that are offered to prove the

existence or nonexistence

of a fact.”

“…testimony, writings, material objects, or other

things presented to the senses that are offered to prove the

existence or nonexistence

of a fact.”

What is “evidence?”What is “evidence?”

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Evidence Code

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Types of EvidenceTypes of Evidence

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• Direct• DirectDirectly proves a fact, without an inference or presumption and which in itself, if true, conclusively establishes that fact.

Directly proves a fact, without an inference or presumption and which in itself, if true, conclusively establishes that fact.

• Circumstantial• Circumstantial

Pertinent items surround the circumstances of the crime.Pertinent items surround the circumstances of the crime.

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Types of EvidenceTypes of Evidence

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• Hearsay• HearsayA statement that was made other than by a witness while testifying at the hearing and that is offered to prove the truth of the matter stated.

A statement that was made other than by a witness while testifying at the hearing and that is offered to prove the truth of the matter stated.

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Categories of EvidenceCategories of Evidence

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• Latent• LatentCannot be seen by naked eye.Cannot be seen by naked eye.

• Fragile• FragileMay deteriorate or be destroyed if not handled properly.

May deteriorate or be destroyed if not handled properly.

• Trace• TraceMinute quantities difficult to find.Minute quantities difficult to find.

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Terms for EvidenceTerms for Evidence

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• Instrumentality of the Crime• Instrumentality of the Crime

Objects used in commission of the crime.Objects used in commission of the crime.

• Fruits of the Crime• Fruits of the Crime

Items obtained by perpetrator during commission of the crime.

Items obtained by perpetrator during commission of the crime.

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Terms for EvidenceTerms for Evidence

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• Elements of a Crime• Elements of a CrimeConditions that must exist and be proven to exist for an act to be called a specific kind of crime.

Conditions that must exist and be proven to exist for an act to be called a specific kind of crime.

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What material objects could be evidence?

What material objects could be evidence?

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FingerprintsFingerprints Shoe PrintsShoe Prints

Bite marksBite marks

Weapons/weapon stockWeapons/weapon stock

DocumentsDocuments

FibersFibers

Body fluidsBody fluids ClothingClothing

HairsHairsSheetsSheets

Drugs/drug paraphernalia

InjuriesInjuries

BloodBlood

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Functions of EvidenceFunctions of Evidence

• Assists in proving that a crime happened or did not.

• Assists in proving one or more elements of a crime (motive, opportunity and means).

• Assists in proving guilt or innocence of the defendant.

• Assists in proving that a crime happened or did not.

• Assists in proving one or more elements of a crime (motive, opportunity and means).

• Assists in proving guilt or innocence of the defendant. 11

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Functions of EvidenceFunctions of Evidence

• May disprove the testimony of a witness.

• May discredit the testimony of a witness.

• May support the testimony of a witness.

• May disprove the testimony of a witness.

• May discredit the testimony of a witness.

• May support the testimony of a witness.

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• Random Selection• Random Selection

Urine Collection Urine Collection

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• Suspect• Suspect

• Mandatory Random Drug Testing

• Mandatory Random Drug Testing

• Family Visiting/Temporary Community Leave

• Family Visiting/Temporary Community Leave

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When it is known or observed that inmates have weapons, narcotics, keys or any other serious contraband that has been ingested or secreted in the vaginal or anal cavities.

When it is known or observed that inmates have weapons, narcotics, keys or any other serious contraband that has been ingested or secreted in the vaginal or anal cavities.

Observation Watch Observation Watch

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Chain of CustodyChain of CustodyMaintaining accountability for evidence from the time it comes into the possession of a peace officer until the time it is offered in court.

Maintaining accountability for evidence from the time it comes into the possession of a peace officer until the time it is offered in court.

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Chain of CustodyChain of Custody

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Crime SceneCrime Scene

Any area in which a crime has been committed or an area in which evidence has been found.

Any area in which a crime has been committed or an area in which evidence has been found.

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Victims Victims

Physical evidence Physical evidence

Visual cues, sounds and/or smells

Visual cues, sounds and/or smells

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Crime Scene Preservation

To protect the crime scene and preserve its evidence. Ensure that no part of a crime scene is contaminated, disturbed or manipulated in any way.

To protect the crime scene and preserve its evidence. Ensure that no part of a crime scene is contaminated, disturbed or manipulated in any way.

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1. Start a written log- Document your arrival time

1. Start a written log- Document your arrival time

2. Establish perimeter & seal area- Tape area or close doors- Start with large area then narrow down

2. Establish perimeter & seal area- Tape area or close doors- Start with large area then narrow down

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Crime scene photographCrime scene photograph

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3. Secure names at the scene- Do not take statements

3. Secure names at the scene- Do not take statements

4. Document names & times of staff entering scene- No unnecessary individuals entering

- Control the flow with single entry point

4. Document names & times of staff entering scene- No unnecessary individuals entering

- Control the flow with single entry point

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5. Record crime scene- Do not enter scene to record- Sketch an image - Identify area specifically

5. Record crime scene- Do not enter scene to record- Sketch an image - Identify area specifically

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Clockwise or SpiralClockwise or Spiral

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ZoneZone

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A B

C D

1

4 5

2

1

4

2 3

3

6

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If you are required to enter crime sceneIf you are required to enter crime scene

Document when you entered. Document when you entered.

Be cautious of altering evidence. Be cautious of altering evidence.

Never add or delete elements. Never add or delete elements.

Always use universal precautions. Always use universal precautions.

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Triangulation MethodTriangulation Method

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Desk

Sh

elfB

eds

DoorTo

ilet

43.5”

62”

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Evidence PreservationEvidence Preservation

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Preservation is ensuring that no part of that item of evidence is contaminated, disturbed or manipulated in any way.

Preservation is ensuring that no part of that item of evidence is contaminated, disturbed or manipulated in any way.

Processing is to dust item for prints, look at under a microscope or other process of investigation.

Processing is to dust item for prints, look at under a microscope or other process of investigation.

– Department of Justice– Investigative Services Unit

– You– You

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1. Use precautions1. Use precautions

2. Carefully pick up- Don’t contaminate- Pick up at corners or edges

2. Carefully pick up- Don’t contaminate- Pick up at corners or edges

3. Permanently mark or scribe3. Permanently mark or scribe

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7. Place bag in evidence locker7. Place bag in evidence locker


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4. Fill out evidence tag4. Fill out evidence tag

5. Fill out evidence bag- Information on bag must match

information on tag.

5. Fill out evidence bag- Information on bag must match

information on tag.

6. Place item inside evidence bag6. Place item inside evidence bag

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Evidence photographEvidence photograph

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QuizQuiz

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You will have 10 minutes to complete this quiz.

You will have 10 minutes to complete this quiz.

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Quiz ReviewQuiz Review

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From the following list select the appropriate category of evidence for the definition.From the following list select the appropriate category of evidence for the definition.

A. Latent EvidenceA. Latent Evidence

D. Trace EvidenceD. Trace Evidence

B. Fragile EvidenceB. Fragile Evidence

1. ___ Cannot be seen with the naked eye.1. ___ Cannot be seen with the naked eye.

2. ___ May deteriorate or be destroyed if not handled properly.

2. ___ May deteriorate or be destroyed if not handled properly.

C. Fragile EvidenceC. Fragile Evidence

3. ___ Minute quantities difficult to find.3. ___ Minute quantities difficult to find.

A

C

D

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4. Crime s4. Crime s

A. Assists in proving that a crime happened or did not happen.


B. Solid evidence makes further investigation unnecessary.


C. Assists in proving one or more elements of a crime (motive, opportunity and means).


D. Assists in proving guilt or innocence of the defendant.


E. May disprove, discredit or support the testimony of a witness.


4. Crime scene evidence serves some very critical functions. According to the lesson plan, which of the following statements is not one of the functions of evidence?


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4. Crime s4. Crime s













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5. Which of the following best defines “chain of custody?”5. Which of the following best defines “chain of custody?”A. At a crime scene, witnesses are “chained” together

at the waist until incident statements can be taken from each person.

A. At a crime scene, witnesses are “chained” together at the waist until incident statements can be taken from each person.

B. Maintaining accountability for evidence from the time it comes into the possession of a peace officer until the time it is offered as evidence in court.


C. Refers to the chain links used to padlock evidence for safe keeping until presented in court.


D. A slang term for physical restraint gear used to take a suspect into “custody.”


E. The term used when inmates are transported to testify in court.


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5. Which of the following best defines “chain of custody?”5. Which of the following best defines “chain of custody?”A. At a crime scene, witnesses are “chained” together

at the waist until incident statements can be taken from each person.

A. At a crime scene, witnesses are “chained” together at the waist until incident statements can be taken from each person.









C. Searching from the outermost edge working inward.

C. Searching from the outermost edge working inward.


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From the following list match the two types of crime scene search techniques with their definition.

From the following list match the two types of crime scene search techniques with their definition.

6. ___ Clockwise or spiral6. ___ Clockwise or spiral

7. ___ Grid7. ___ Grid

A. Scene divided into areas and each searcher is assigned an area.

A. Scene divided into areas and each searcher is assigned an area.

B. Searching in a straight line, walking with your first foot forward and the following foot touching toe to heal.

B. Searching in a straight line, walking with your first foot forward and the following foot touching toe to heal.

C

A

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California Department of CorrectionsCalifornia Department of Corrections


Preservation


Preservation

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California Department of Corrections Crime Scene and Evidence Preservation 1 5/17/00.

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Transcript of California Department of Corrections Crime Scene and Evidence Preservation 1 5/17/00.