1. Forensic Evidence
Physical Evidence (real) - Any material or object that proves a fact relevant to a crime.
(Ex. Gun, Fingerprint, Odor, DNA)

2. Circumstantial Evidence
Evidence based on suggestion not personal knowledge.
Implies a fact

3. Circumstantial…Yes or no?
The defendant was found with a large amount of money without being able to give any reason.
The accused had an intense dislike of the victim.
The accused behaved in a bizarre and suspicious way after the offence.
• The fact that he or she was in the area at the time that the offence was committed

4. Accuracy depends on many factors:
Testimonial Evidence (Direct) – Eye witness account. What is said in court.
Accuracy depends on many factors:
Type of Witness
Alcohol
Weapons divert attention
Length of time
Stress/Fear
Lighting
Relevance
Too Brief
Too Loud
Suggestive Questioning

5. What is the value of evidence?
Crime has been committed.
Back up witness testimony.
Links suspect with victim.
Can determine identity of people associated with crime.
Reconstruct a crime.

6. Which evidence would be more valuable in court (in order to convict someone)?
A person’s blood type matches the blood type of blood stains at the crime scene or
The edge of a torn fabric matches the edge of a suspect’s torn tee shirt

7. Class Evidence - Evidence associated with a group of items that share characteristics.

8. Individual Evidence – Evidence that is unique.
Ex. Matching a jagged piece of glass to its origin, fingerprints, handwriting, etc.

9. Evidence/eye witness account on news
Evidence in the news…remix

10. Edmond Locard - (Locard Exchange principle) Whenever two objects come in contact with each other, traces of each are exchanged.

11. Federal Rules of Evidence
Frye Standard - (General Acceptance Test) Scientific evidence is allowed into the courtroom if it is generally accepted by the scientific community.
**Problem - No guidance on reliability. Jury decides if evidence should be admissible.

12. Daubert Ruling - (Updates Frye Standard) Admissibility is determined by:
Whether the theory or technique can be tested.
The science has been peer reviewed.
The rate of error is acceptable.
The method at issue has widespread acceptance.
**Court decides what is admissible

13. List these terms from least severe to most severe
Felony
Violation
Misdemeanor
Violation
Misdemeanor
Felony

14. Law Terms
Violation - an offense (other than a traffic infraction) where the potential sentence cannot be greater than fifteen days jail
NOT a crime (no criminal record)
Ex. breaking probation, failure to pay a fine, possession of illegal drugs

15. Misdemeanor
A minor crime. Usually a small fine or punishment other than prison.
Simple assault, DUI, domestic violence, indecent exposure, prostitution, theft, vandalism.

16. Felony
A serious crime, like murder, rape, assault, robbery, kidnapping, Fraud, and DUI/DWI, vandalism over a certain amount.
Punishable by more than one year in imprisonment or death.

17. So….what is a “crime”? a misdemeanor OR a felony
If you have been found guilty of a violation such as disorderly conduct, you would not have a criminal record

18. Go to game Powerpoint

19. First Officer at the Scene
1. Make sure you are safe. 2. Arrange for backup or medical assistance if necessary. 3. Secure and isolate the crime scene. 4. Conduct a preliminary search. 5. Conduct a search 6. Record the scene

20. Search Patterns
Even if a criminal is caught, a search of an area is completed.
STEPS
Organize Yourself
Don’t waste time duplicating your efforts.
Too many people can get in the way.

21. Set up a Grid
Grid method
Quadrant
Spiral
Strip or line search

22. Which number is…? Grid method Quadrant Strip or line search Spiral 3 12 4

24. Look for anything that should not be there.
Be careful in the collection and labeling of all evidence
Collection will depend on type of crime, location and size of area.

25. Crime Scene Sketch Crime Scene Sketch - Establishes a
permanent record of items, conditions, distance, and size relationships at
a crime scene.

26. Rough sketch – Accurately represents the dimensions of the scene and locations of objects important to the case. (Not to Scale)
Triangulation – Utilizes two or more reference points to establish the position of an object.

27. Smooth Sketch - A finished sketch drawn from the rough sketch
Smooth Sketch - A finished sketch drawn from the rough sketch. The sketch is neatly drawn to scale and includes a key.

29. - How many boxes would represent 6 feet? - key – ABCD, scale
Drawing to Scale
- graph paper
- 2 boxes = 1 foot
- How many boxes would represent 6 feet?
- key – ABCD, scale 12

30. Rough Smooth

32. Crime Scene Sketch
paper
Teacher’s Desk
room
key N
body

33. Key K – knife S – shot gun shell G – Glove GL - Glasses
Crime Scene Sketch
Key
K – knife
S – shot gun shell
G – Glove
GL - Glasses

34. Crime Scene Sketch Key (for the 4 pieces of evidence)
Direction (North, South etc.)
Room dimensions (Length, Width)
Teacher’s Desk (Big one only)
Triangulate to each object
Triangulate to head of the body
Length of Body (sketch in body)
2 doors
Windows