Forensic Method - Systematic approach to documenting, collecting, interpreting and presenting evidence
for presentation in court of law
Crime - An act forbidden by law and punishable
Crime Scene Investigation - Term referring to processes associated with investigation of criminal events
Criminalistics - Term for analysis of physical evidence. (often called forensic scientists)
Criminology - Scientific study of crime
Evidence - Anything that can help prove or disprove a point in question
Types Of Evidence - [Physical]
- Objects
- Impressions
[Observations]
- Weather
- Lights on/off
[Testimony]
- Eye witness
- Expert
Locard's Exchange Principle - Every contact leaves a trace...by leaving something behind, by taking
something away, by doing both.
Chain Of Custody - Breaks in the chain (fruit of the poisonous tree)
CSI Effect - Combination of effects that might appear to contradict each other
LOSER - L.O.S.E.R is the practical guideline for crime scene management.
[L]isten
[O]bserve
, [S]earch
[E]valuate
[R]ecord
Hot Zone and Warm Zone - Hot zone is the inner perimeter of the crime scene. (Where the body is
found)
Warm zone is the outer perimeter of the crime scene. (other rooms surrounding the hot zone)
People At The Scene - Victim
Offender
Witnesses
Relatives
Media
Police
Other investigators
Overall Photos - Allows the viewer to see a large area of the scene at eye level
Mid range Photos - Establishes the position of the evidence in the scene
Close Up Photos - Allows the viewer to see all evident detail on the item of evidence
Sketches - Simplest way to represent the scene
Polar Coordinates - Measure in proximity to something
Rectangular Coordinates - Have two measurements: an x coordinate and a y coordinate
Triangulation - (Most complicated but most accurate) Two measuring tapes intersect and create triangles
Cross Contamination - Unintended movement of material between two or more objects
Ethics - Well-founded standards of right and wrong that dictate what humans ought to do.
Encourage Virtues: honesty, loyalty, compassion
Code of Ethics - Systematic statement of rules, regulations or laws, developed by a community to
promote its values.
(ex. employee code of conduct)
Why Are Ethics Important? - HINT: QUESTION
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