Title: California Department of Corrections
1California Department of Corrections
Crime Scene and Evidence Preservation
DO NOT CROSS
CRIME SCENE
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3Types of Evidence
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4Types of Evidence
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5Categories of Evidence
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6Terms for Evidence
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7Terms for Evidence
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8What material objects could be evidence?
Shoe Prints
Fingerprints
Bite marks
Fibers
Documents
Injuries
Body fluids
Clothing
Sheets
Hairs
Blood
Weapons/weapon stock
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Drugs/drug paraphernalia
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9Functions 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.
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10Functions of Evidence
- 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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11Urine Collection
- Mandatory Random Drug Testing
- Family Visiting/Temporary Community
Leave
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12Observation Watch
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.
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13Chain of Custody
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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14Chain of Custody
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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15Chain of Custody
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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16Chain of Custody
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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17Chain of Custody
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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18Chain of Custody
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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19Crime Scene
Any area in which a crime has been committed or
an area in which evidence has been found.
? Victims
? Physical evidence
? Visual cues, sounds and/or smells
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20Crime 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.
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211. 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
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22Crime scene photograph
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233. 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
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245. Record crime scene - Do not enter scene to
record - Sketch an image - Identify area
specifically
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25Clockwise or Spiral
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26Zone
1
2
3
A
B
4
5
6
C
D
1
2
3
4
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27If you are required to enter crime scene
? Document when you entered.
? Be cautious of altering evidence.
? Never add or delete elements.
? Always use universal precautions.
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28Crime scene photograph
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29Crime scene photograph
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30Crime scene photograph
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31Triangulation Method
Desk
Beds
Shelf
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Door
32Evidence Preservation
Preservation is ensuring that no part of that
item of evidence is contaminated, disturbed or
manipulated in any way.
You
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33Evidence Preservation
1. Use precautions
2. Carefully pick up - Dont contaminate - Pick
up at corners or edges
3. Permanently mark or scribe
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34Evidence Preservation
4. Fill out evidence tag
5. Fill out evidence bag - Information on bag
must match information on tag.
6. Place item inside evidence bag
7. Place bag in evidence locker
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35Evidence photograph
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36Quiz
You will have 10 minutes to complete this quiz.
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37Quiz Review
From the following list select the appropriate
category of evidence for the definition.
A
1. ___ Cannot be seen with the naked eye.
C
2. ___ May deteriorate or be destroyed if not
handled properly.
D
3. ___ Minute quantities difficult to find.
A. Latent Evidence
B. Fragile Evidence
C. Fragile Evidence
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D. Trace Evidence
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38Quiz Review
4. Crime s
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?
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.
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39Quiz Review
4. Crime s
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?
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.
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40Quiz Review
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.
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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41Quiz Review
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.
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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42Quiz Review
From the following list match the two types of
crime scene search techniques with their
definition.
C
6. ___ Clockwise or spiral
A
7. ___ Grid
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.
C. Searching from the outermost edge working
inward.
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43California Department of Corrections
Crime Scene and Evidence Preservation
DO NOT CROSS
CRIME SCENE
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