1. Crime Scene Officer in charge of investigation determines when crime scene may be safely returned to public access Officer in charge of investigation determines when crime scene may be safely returned to public access Protect the area from accidental or intentional contamination by anyone, including police officers and other official personnel Protect the area from accidental or intentional contamination by anyone, including police officers and other official personnel s.129 of the Code, obstructing a police officer in the lawful execution of his/her duties; gives police authority to cordon off and refuse entry to a crime scene s.129 of the Code, obstructing a police officer in the lawful execution of his/her duties; gives police authority to cordon off and refuse entry to a crime scene

2. Crime Scene Investigation Security of the scene falls under the coroner’s authority in the following cases: Security of the scene falls under the coroner’s authority in the following cases: Sudden or unexpected deaths Sudden or unexpected deaths Deaths of person in custody Deaths of person in custody Deaths occurring in institutions, aged Deaths occurring in institutions, aged Deaths from violence Deaths from violence Suicides Suicides Deaths occurring in a suspicious, unusual, or unnatural manner Deaths occurring in a suspicious, unusual, or unnatural manner

3. Crime Scene Investigation Police officers may seize anything relevant to the investigation at the crime scene and to maintain the security of the scene until it is ordered released by the coroner following the post mortem examination Police officers may seize anything relevant to the investigation at the crime scene and to maintain the security of the scene until it is ordered released by the coroner following the post mortem examination

4. Processing the Crime Scene Focus of police investigation is the collection of physical evidence Focus of police investigation is the collection of physical evidence CSI (“Crime Scene Investigation”) carried out by a mobile crime lab CSI (“Crime Scene Investigation”) carried out by a mobile crime lab Police prepare a description of what they find Police prepare a description of what they find Police photograph a scene Police photograph a scene Police prepare diagrams of sketches Police prepare diagrams of sketches Police collect evidence Police collect evidence

5. Crime Scene Procedure Important to safeguard the continuity of evidence: Important to safeguard the continuity of evidence: No exhibit is left unattended from the time of its seizure until it is deposited in the police property – stage facility No exhibit is left unattended from the time of its seizure until it is deposited in the police property – stage facility The officer who seized the item, or the case officer, must secure the evidence in the police property locker, which is under the control of the property clerk The officer who seized the item, or the case officer, must secure the evidence in the police property locker, which is under the control of the property clerk

6. Crime Scene Procedure The transfer of any evidence to the forensic laboratory is the responsibility of the case officer and/or his or her designate The transfer of any evidence to the forensic laboratory is the responsibility of the case officer and/or his or her designate The transfer of evidence to and from court is the responsibility of the case officer The transfer of evidence to and from court is the responsibility of the case officer No exhibit can be removed from the control of the property clerk without the appropriate authority and signature No exhibit can be removed from the control of the property clerk without the appropriate authority and signature The case officer is the officer in charge of the investigation The case officer is the officer in charge of the investigation

7. Processing Physical Evidence Forensic scientists job is to put the evidence together correctly like the pieces of a puzzle Forensic scientists job is to put the evidence together correctly like the pieces of a puzzle Analysis of the evidence may involve biology, chemistry, physics, anthropology, geology, and computer science Analysis of the evidence may involve biology, chemistry, physics, anthropology, geology, and computer science Often called on to give expert testimony in court Often called on to give expert testimony in court

8. Fingerprints Along with DNA, fingerprints are considered by many to be the best way to identify a suspect Along with DNA, fingerprints are considered by many to be the best way to identify a suspect Fingerprints never change and are unique to each person Fingerprints never change and are unique to each person Fingerprint patterns can be identified as one of three types: Fingerprint patterns can be identified as one of three types:

9. Fingerprints 1. Arches, forming ridges that run from one side of the print to the other and curve up the middle 1. Arches, forming ridges that run from one side of the print to the other and curve up the middle 2. Loops, showing stronger curves than arches with ends that start on one side of the finger, loop around, and end up in the same place 2. Loops, showing stronger curves than arches with ends that start on one side of the finger, loop around, and end up in the same place 3. Whorls, forming complete ovals, often in a spiral pattern around a central point 3. Whorls, forming complete ovals, often in a spiral pattern around a central point

10. Latent Fingerprints Created when a person’s fingers come into contact with an object such a piece of glass or of plastic Created when a person’s fingers come into contact with an object such a piece of glass or of plastic Created by a residue of oil and perspiration from the fingertip Created by a residue of oil and perspiration from the fingertip Usually invisible and requires the application of chemicals or laser light Usually invisible and requires the application of chemicals or laser light

11. Visible Impressions or Fingerprints Result of a finger’s contact where blood, dust or grease has been previously deposited Result of a finger’s contact where blood, dust or grease has been previously deposited

12. Fingerprints Moulded fingerprints: Moulded fingerprints: Leaves a visible impression in a soft substance such as clay, wax or putty Leaves a visible impression in a soft substance such as clay, wax or putty

13. Trace Elements Includes dirt, dust, fibres and residue Includes dirt, dust, fibres and residue Origin of these materials may provide a link between a suspect and a crime Origin of these materials may provide a link between a suspect and a crime Material at an arson scene may produce trace elements of an accelerant used to start or maintain a fire Material at an arson scene may produce trace elements of an accelerant used to start or maintain a fire

14. Trace Elements Further examination may uncover the specific chemical composition of the fluid, thus linking it to a suspect who possesses the same material Further examination may uncover the specific chemical composition of the fluid, thus linking it to a suspect who possesses the same material Transfer of trace elements such as hair and fibres between the perpetrator and the victim is common in crimes such as homicides, aggravated assault and kidnapping Transfer of trace elements such as hair and fibres between the perpetrator and the victim is common in crimes such as homicides, aggravated assault and kidnapping

15. Hair If the sample contains the root, shaft and tip, it may reveal: If the sample contains the root, shaft and tip, it may reveal: a person’s racial background a person’s racial background the area of the body from which the hair originated the area of the body from which the hair originated the person’s blood type the person’s blood type

16. Fibres Examination may determine their point of origin or manufacturer Examination may determine their point of origin or manufacturer Matching the fibres found on the sole of the shoe of a victim with the accuser’s residences Matching the fibres found on the sole of the shoe of a victim with the accuser’s residences

17. Blood In impaired-driving offences, blood evidence is paramount In impaired-driving offences, blood evidence is paramount Also relevant in cases where a suspect’s mens rea is in issue as a result of intoxicating substances Also relevant in cases where a suspect’s mens rea is in issue as a result of intoxicating substances Blood is a fluid that conforms to the laws governing the motion and properties of other fluids Blood is a fluid that conforms to the laws governing the motion and properties of other fluids

18. Blood Study the size and shape of blood drops on a floor can indicate the height from which they fell and thus the location of the wound Study the size and shape of blood drops on a floor can indicate the height from which they fell and thus the location of the wound Shape may indicate movement; a person in motion while bleeding produces a tear- shape drop, with the narrow end indicating the direction of travel and the rounded end pointing towards the bleeder Shape may indicate movement; a person in motion while bleeding produces a tear- shape drop, with the narrow end indicating the direction of travel and the rounded end pointing towards the bleeder

19. Blood Blood splatter patterns on the wall may indicate the force and direction of a blow and indicate how far the victim was from the wall when the wound was inflicted Blood splatter patterns on the wall may indicate the force and direction of a blow and indicate how far the victim was from the wall when the wound was inflicted

20. Gunshot Residue Includes: Includes: Gases Gases Unburned or partially burned power grains Unburned or partially burned power grains Carbon particles Carbon particles Trace of the bullet lubricant Trace of the bullet lubricant Traces of primer components (lead, barium, nitrates) Traces of primer components (lead, barium, nitrates) Fragments of soft bullets (lead antimony) Fragments of soft bullets (lead antimony) Fragments of the bullet jacket Fragments of the bullet jacket Metal traces for the cartridge case or gun barrel Metal traces for the cartridge case or gun barrel

21. Gunshot Residue These trace elements are deposited on the hands of the person discharging the gun These trace elements are deposited on the hands of the person discharging the gun Under circumstances, detectable and identifiable Under circumstances, detectable and identifiable

22. Gunshot Residue – Hand Wash Test Requires the suspect to wash his or her hands in a chemical solution Requires the suspect to wash his or her hands in a chemical solution Solution is then sent to the laboratory for analysis Solution is then sent to the laboratory for analysis Test can detect elevated levels of lead, barium, and antimony Test can detect elevated levels of lead, barium, and antimony May indicate that the suspect has fired a gun recently May indicate that the suspect has fired a gun recently

23. Gunshot Residue GSR test cannot determine the time at which the suspect may have fired the gun GSR test cannot determine the time at which the suspect may have fired the gun It is less effective when the time between firing the fun and taking the hand wash exceeds four hours It is less effective when the time between firing the fun and taking the hand wash exceeds four hours

24. Gunshot Residue – Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM Provides results that appear to be more accurate and consistent than the hand wash test Provides results that appear to be more accurate and consistent than the hand wash test Special utensil containing a gummed substance is held against the skin and them removed Special utensil containing a gummed substance is held against the skin and them removed GSR adheres to the gummed substance, which is then prepared for examination by the scanning electron microscope GSR adheres to the gummed substance, which is then prepared for examination by the scanning electron microscope

25. DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid All human beings have a distinctive genetic code within their 46 chromosomes All human beings have a distinctive genetic code within their 46 chromosomes Identification of an individual through his or her distinctive genetic code Identification of an individual through his or her distinctive genetic code

26. DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid Minute samples of: Minute samples of: Blood including a blood stain Blood including a blood stain Semen Semen Saliva Saliva Vaginal secretions Vaginal secretions Skin Skin Hair follicles Hair follicles Can be used… Can be used…

27. DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid Are sufficient to produce reliable results even when the sample combines two or more substances Are sufficient to produce reliable results even when the sample combines two or more substances This contamination does not affect the reliability of the test This contamination does not affect the reliability of the test Properly analyzed, it can identify an individual with a certainty exceeding one in several billion Properly analyzed, it can identify an individual with a certainty exceeding one in several billion Has also been used to rule out suspects, or to overturn wrongful convictions Has also been used to rule out suspects, or to overturn wrongful convictions