California Department of Corrections

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California Department of Corrections
Crime Scene and Evidence Preservation
DO NOT CROSS
CRIME SCENE
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Types of Evidence
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Types of Evidence
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Categories of Evidence
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Terms for Evidence
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Terms for Evidence
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What 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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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.

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Functions 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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Crime 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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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.
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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
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Crime scene photograph
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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
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5. Record crime scene - Do not enter scene to
record - Sketch an image - Identify area
specifically
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Clockwise or Spiral
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Zone
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A
B
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C
D
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2
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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.
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Crime scene photograph
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Crime scene photograph
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Crime scene photograph
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Triangulation Method
Desk
Beds
Shelf
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Door
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Evidence 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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Evidence 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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Evidence 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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California Department of Corrections
Crime Scene and Evidence Preservation
DO NOT CROSS
CRIME SCENE
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