The Crime Scene

Crime Scene When the police arrive at the crime scene they usually do three things: When the police arrive at the crime scene they usually do three things: Call an ambulance and assist any injured people. Call an ambulance and assist any injured people. Call for help or backup if needed. Call for help or backup if needed. Search the crime scene for witnesses, the perpetrator or evidence. Search the crime scene for witnesses, the perpetrator or evidence.

Crime Scene The police establish two boundaries to protect the crime scene. The police establish two boundaries to protect the crime scene. The center is where the incident occurred. They also create a perimeter to keep people from entering. The center is where the incident occurred. They also create a perimeter to keep people from entering. Crime scenes are preserved for three reasons: Crime scenes are preserved for three reasons: To allow for a thorough search of the area To allow for a thorough search of the area To collect physical evidence To collect physical evidence And to ensure evidence collected is useable in court. And to ensure evidence collected is useable in court.

Crime Scene Police protect and preserve evidence by documenting the scene carefully and accurately. Police protect and preserve evidence by documenting the scene carefully and accurately. Investigators keep a police log which is a written record of what each officer has witnessed at a crime scene or has learned from questioning witnesses or suspects. Investigators keep a police log which is a written record of what each officer has witnessed at a crime scene or has learned from questioning witnesses or suspects.

The Crime Scene There are four types of police officers involved at a crime scene. There are four types of police officers involved at a crime scene. The first is the Patrol Officer who is responsible for a certain area or “beat”. He or she is usually the first officer on the scene. They establish the perimeter by wrapping yellow tape and conduct questioning. The first is the Patrol Officer who is responsible for a certain area or “beat”. He or she is usually the first officer on the scene. They establish the perimeter by wrapping yellow tape and conduct questioning.

The Crime Scene The Scenes of Crime Officer is trained in evidence collection. They take photographs, fingerprints and foot impressions along with blood and hair evidence. The Scenes of Crime Officer is trained in evidence collection. They take photographs, fingerprints and foot impressions along with blood and hair evidence. The Criminal Identification Officer is responsible for searching the scene for physical evidence and sending it to the laboratory for analysis. The Criminal Identification Officer is responsible for searching the scene for physical evidence and sending it to the laboratory for analysis.

The Crime Scene The Criminal Investigations Officer is dressed in plainclothes and is specialized in a particular area such as homicide or robbery. The Criminal Investigations Officer is dressed in plainclothes and is specialized in a particular area such as homicide or robbery. They supervise the whole investigation, interview witnesses, interrogate suspects, draw conclusions from physical evidence, and arrest suspects. They supervise the whole investigation, interview witnesses, interrogate suspects, draw conclusions from physical evidence, and arrest suspects.

The Crime Scene Physical Evidence may defined as any object, impression, or body element that can be used to prove or disprove facts relating to an offence. Physical Evidence may defined as any object, impression, or body element that can be used to prove or disprove facts relating to an offence. Forensic Science is the application of biochemical and other scientific techniques to criminal investigation. Forensic Science is the application of biochemical and other scientific techniques to criminal investigation.

Crime Scene Often at the scene of a crime impressions are left. Impressions are marks or patterns caused by different objects such as fingers, gloves, shoes, tires, or tools. Often at the scene of a crime impressions are left. Impressions are marks or patterns caused by different objects such as fingers, gloves, shoes, tires, or tools.

Crime Scene Impressions have two characteristics: class characteristics and individual characteristics. Class Characteristics are general attributes of an object such as type, make, model, size, and style. Individual Characteristics deal with specific traits of an object such as tire ware or a scratch on a car. Impressions have two characteristics: class characteristics and individual characteristics. Class Characteristics are general attributes of an object such as type, make, model, size, and style. Individual Characteristics deal with specific traits of an object such as tire ware or a scratch on a car.

Crime Scene Fingerprints are patterned marks left on a surface by a fingertip. Prints are unique to each individual and never change. Fingerprints are patterned marks left on a surface by a fingertip. Prints are unique to each individual and never change. There are two types of fingerprints: Visible and latent. Visible prints can be seen as where latent prints must be dusted or illuminated. There are two types of fingerprints: Visible and latent. Visible prints can be seen as where latent prints must be dusted or illuminated.

Crime Scene Crimes against people usually result in the loss or transference of bodily fluids. Crimes against people usually result in the loss or transference of bodily fluids. Police can use these fluids along with hair and skin samples to identify a persons DNA. Police can use these fluids along with hair and skin samples to identify a persons DNA. DNA is like fingerprints and is unique to every individual. DNA is like fingerprints and is unique to every individual.

Crime Scene The proper labeling of evidence is important so it can be identified at a later date. The proper labeling of evidence is important so it can be identified at a later date. Police officers establish a proper chain of custody for the evidence or a written record of everyone that has handled the evidence. Police officers establish a proper chain of custody for the evidence or a written record of everyone that has handled the evidence. A chain of custody must show: A chain of custody must show: Who had contact with the evidence Who had contact with the evidence The date and time the evidence was handled The date and time the evidence was handled The circumstances and reasons for the handling of the evidence The circumstances and reasons for the handling of the evidence What changes were made to the evidence What changes were made to the evidence

Crime Scene All evidence collected at the scene of the crime is tagged and placed in and “evidence package”. The following information usually appears on both the tag and the exterior of the package: All evidence collected at the scene of the crime is tagged and placed in and “evidence package”. The following information usually appears on both the tag and the exterior of the package: Brief description Brief description Police case number Police case number Date of collection Date of collection Location of collection Location of collection Brand name of the item Brand name of the item Serial number or clothing information Serial number or clothing information Name and badge number of the officer collected it Name and badge number of the officer collected it Destination of the evidence Destination of the evidence

Crime Scene A person who is detained by a police officer is taken into custody without the use of physical restraint. A person who is detained by a police officer is taken into custody without the use of physical restraint. The police usually detain a person for such things as questioning. The person being detained must be informed of the reasons for the detention and their right to retain counsel(lawyer). The police usually detain a person for such things as questioning. The person being detained must be informed of the reasons for the detention and their right to retain counsel (lawyer).

Crime Scene Police interrogate or ask a suspect questions with four goals in mind: Police interrogate or ask a suspect questions with four goals in mind: To get a description of the incident To get a description of the incident Information about the time before the incident Information about the time before the incident The details around the offence The details around the offence What happened after the offence What happened after the offence

Crime Scene If a person is arrested they are formerly taken into police custody. If a person is arrested they are formerly taken into police custody. In order for an arrest to be lawful the police must: In order for an arrest to be lawful the police must: Identify themselves as a police officer Identify themselves as a police officer Advise the accused they are under arrest Advise the accused they are under arrest Inform the accused the charges Inform the accused the charges Physically touch the person to indicate they are in custody. Physically touch the person to indicate they are in custody.

Crime Scene In order for a police officer to arrest someone they need reasonable grounds. In order for a police officer to arrest someone they need reasonable grounds. For example if Wendy was sitting in a car with bags full of money after a nearby bank was robbed. The police would have reasonable grounds to arrest her. For example if Wendy was sitting in a car with bags full of money after a nearby bank was robbed. The police would have reasonable grounds to arrest her.

Crime Scene The police have three methods of apprehending an offender: The police have three methods of apprehending an offender: An appearance notice is given at the scene of a crime that is less serious. An appearance notice is given at the scene of a crime that is less serious. A summons is a legal document given to a person who the police believe will not appear in court voluntarily. A summons is a legal document given to a person who the police believe will not appear in court voluntarily. An arrest warrant is a legal document giving the police the authority to arrest or detain a person who is suspected of having committed a crime. An arrest warrant is a legal document giving the police the authority to arrest or detain a person who is suspected of having committed a crime.

Crime Scene A citizen’s arrest is an arrest without a warrant by any person other than a peace officer. A citizen’s arrest is an arrest without a warrant by any person other than a peace officer. Section 494 of the Criminal Code says Section 494 of the Criminal Code says Anyone may arrest without warrant Anyone may arrest without warrant A person found committing an indictable offence A person found committing an indictable offence A person who 1) has committed a criminal offence 2) is escaping from and pursued by a person who has the authority to arrest. A person who 1) has committed a criminal offence 2) is escaping from and pursued by a person who has the authority to arrest. Anyone who is Anyone who is The owner of property The owner of property A person authorized by the owner of property may arrest a person he finds committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property. A person authorized by the owner of property may arrest a person he finds committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property.

Crime Scene The police do not need a warrant to search a person they just arrested. The police do not need a warrant to search a person they just arrested. The arrested person does not have to supply the police with a breath, blood, or urine sample unless they are arrested for impaired driving. The arrested person does not have to supply the police with a breath, blood, or urine sample unless they are arrested for impaired driving. The police are allowed to conduct strip searches under very strict guidelines. The police are allowed to conduct strip searches under very strict guidelines.

Crime Scene In order to search a dwelling the police need to obtain a search warrant. In order to search a dwelling the police need to obtain a search warrant. The search must be conducted between 6:00am and 9:00pm and the police must identify themselves and provide the warrant. The search must be conducted between 6:00am and 9:00pm and the police must identify themselves and provide the warrant. In the case where police suspect a person of having illegal drugs they may search buildings without a warrant. They also may search a dwelling without a warrant if they believe it prevents imminent danger or the destruction of evidence. In the case where police suspect a person of having illegal drugs they may search buildings without a warrant. They also may search a dwelling without a warrant if they believe it prevents imminent danger or the destruction of evidence. Police are also allowed to search vehicles without a warrant. Police are also allowed to search vehicles without a warrant.

Crime Scene Once a person has been arrested, fingerprinted, and photographed, the police will often release the accused until the trial. Once a person has been arrested, fingerprinted, and photographed, the police will often release the accused until the trial. If the police are not afraid of the accused fleeing trial they will just have them sign a promise to appear. If they fail to show an arrest warrant will be issued. If the police are not afraid of the accused fleeing trial they will just have them sign a promise to appear. If they fail to show an arrest warrant will be issued. In some cases the accused may be asked to sign a recognizance-which is a promise to appear or a fine may be charged. A surety, a person willing to pay the fine in case the accused doesn’t show, may also be asked for. In some cases the accused may be asked to sign a recognizance-which is a promise to appear or a fine may be charged. A surety, a person willing to pay the fine in case the accused doesn’t show, may also be asked for. Police will try and keep dangerous offenders in jail until trial. In this case a suspect can post bail. Bail is a some of money Police will try and keep dangerous offenders in jail until trial. In this case a suspect can post bail. Bail is a some of money