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

“…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?” 2 Evidence Code 5/17/00

Types of Evidence 3 Direct Directly proves a fact, without an inference or presumption and which in itself, if true, conclusively establishes that fact. Circumstantial Pertinent items surround the circumstances of the crime. 5/17/00

Types of Evidence 4 Hearsay 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. 5/17/00

Categories of Evidence 6 Latent Cannot be seen by naked eye. Fragile May deteriorate or be destroyed if not handled properly. Trace Minute quantities difficult to find. 5/17/00

Terms for Evidence 7 Instrumentality of the Crime Objects used in commission of the crime. Fruits of the Crime Items obtained by perpetrator during commission of the crime. 5/17/00

Terms for Evidence 8 Elements of a Crime Conditions that must exist and be proven to exist for an act to be called a specific kind of crime. 5/17/00

What material objects could be evidence? 9 Fingerprints Shoe Prints Shoe Prints Bite marks Bite marks Weapons/weapon stock Weapons/weapon stock Documents Fibers Body fluids Body fluids Clothing Hairs Sheets Drugs/drug paraphernalia Injuries Blood 5/17/00

Functions 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 5/17/00

Functions 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. 12 5/17/00

Chain 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. 23 5/17/00

Chain of Custody 24 Maintaining accountability for evidence from the time it comes into the possession of a peace officer until the time it is offered in court. 5/17/00

Chain of Custody 25 Maintaining accountability for evidence from the time it comes into the possession of a peace officer until the time it is offered in court. 5/17/00

Chain of Custody 26 Maintaining accountability for evidence from the time it comes into the possession of a peace officer until the time it is offered in court. 5/17/00

Chain of Custody 27 Maintaining accountability for evidence from the time it comes into the possession of a peace officer until the time it is offered in court. 5/17/00

Chain of Custody 28 Maintaining accountability for evidence from the time it comes into the possession of a peace officer until the time it is offered in court. 5/17/00

Crime Scene Any area in which a crime has been committed or an area in which evidence has been found. 30  Victims  Physical evidence  Visual cues, sounds and/or smells 5/17/00

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. 32 5/17/00

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 33 5/17/00

Crime scene photograph 34 5/17/00

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 35 5/17/00

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 36 5/17/00

Clockwise or Spiral 38 5/17/00

Zone 39 AB CD /17/00

If 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. 40 5/17/00

Crime scene photograph 41 5/17/00

Crime scene photograph 42 5/17/00

Crime scene photograph 43 5/17/00

Triangulation Method 44 Desk Shelf Beds Door Toilet 43.5” 62” 5/17/00

Evidence Preservation 46 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. – Department of Justice – Investigative Services Unit – You 5/17/00

Evidence Preservation 47 1.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 scribe 5/17/00

7.Place bag in evidence locker Evidence Preservation 48 4.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 bag 5/17/00

California Department of Corrections Crime Scene and Evidence Preservation 57 5/17/00