Solutions Manual for Forensic Evidence

Solutions Manual for Forensic Evidence Management, 1e by Ashraf Mozayani, Casie Parish-Fisher (All Chapters) Chapter 1

• What is the principle to a successful management of evidence at a crime scene?

Scene security

• What needs to be documented to ensure the integrity of a scene? What will happen if

changes are undocumented?Any disruptions to the scene (or any items within it) from the condition found by initial responding officers must be documented in their report. Any manipulation of the scene including for medical or safety reasons must be documented.Undocumented changes to the scene and items within it degrade the evidence, bring the investigating agency’s credibility into question, and are likely to negatively affect forensic analysis and lead to the inadmissibility of the physical evidence.

• What should the preliminary documentation of a scene include?

Preliminary documentation includes notes and rough scene sketches of the location as they were found by investigators during an initial walk-through. This initial documentation may include the investigator’s own relevant observations of the condition of the crime scene and items within it as well as information from first 1 / 4

responders that relates to changes made to the crime scene due to medical intervention or for safety reasons during the time period between the initial response and the arrival of the investigator. While the first responders may relay such information to investigators, the investigators should request that the first responders include the information in their own reports.

• What should be recorded in the scene documentation prior to the collection of any

physical evidence? Why?Recording the condition, position and location of physical evidence prior to collection provides critical information and context to the investigation. A well- documented scene ensures the integrity of the investigation and provides a permanent record for later evaluation. Failure to accurately and completely document the crime scene may negatively impact follow on forensic analysis including crime scene reconstruction and judicial proceedings.

• What should be included in the crime scene notes? When should notes be taken?

Notes should be taken continuously throughout the scene investigation. Included in the documentation should be observations of the scene as it appears and items deemed to be of potential evidentiary value. In addition to contextual data about the scene (date, location, time) transient evidence (odours, sounds) and conditions (weather, temperature) should also be noted. Just as any processing done on scene should be documented, so should any situations which require deviation from standard procedures.

• Why is diagramming used? 2 / 4

Diagramming is used to specifically describe the location of items of potential evidentiary value in situ prior to collection, the location of items of potential evidentiary value relative to other objects present and other potential evidentiary items, and the physical scene. Diagrams are generally presented to scale to accurately convey the size, shape and position of significant items and other features of a crime scene.

• What are the general guidelines for the investigator during collection of physical

evidence?• Collect items or samples from items that are sufficient for further forensic examination. The type of examinations the item will be subjected to should be taken into consideration.• Collect appropriate control and known samples.• Avoid collecting material that is not relevant to the investigation or does not provide relevant information.• Minimize potential contamination or cross-contamination of the items collected. Care should be taken to avoid cross-contamination between involved persons, victims, evidence items, equipment, the collector and scenes. Victim and suspect samples should be collected and packaged separately. Tools utilized in collection or sampling should be disposable or suitably cleaned and sanitized between samples. All collection equipment and packaging should be sterile and DNA free. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn. 3 / 4

• Consider the potential forensic impact of sampling from items versus collection of the entire item. In some instances, the sample and the item on which it is situated may be collected. In other instances, the entire item may itself be collected. In all instances, the collection should fit the purpose.• Place collected items in appropriate packaging.Chapter 2

• What topics should a basic agency policy cover?

Statement of Purpose Utilization and Deployment Goals, Objectives and Performance Measures Personnel Duties, Authority and Responsibility Training and Development Security Inspections – Audits, Inventories, Refrigeration Standards and High Security Items Records Management and Special Reporting Release Guidelines Disposal Guidelines

• Describe chain-of-custody. What is its purpose?

The chronological tracking of possession and storage of an item from the time of collection, to the item’s final disposition is called the chain-of-custody. Once an item is in the custody of a law enforcement agency, the chain begins and continues to be track as the item travels from officer to storage, from storage to lab for analysis,

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