Definitions:

Evidence: anything that tends to prove or disprove a fact in contention with any investigation. Either
testimonial or physical evidence. Testominals being less than trustworthy of physical evidence.

Predictable effects: are those changes to the scene of evidence that occur with some rhythm or regularity.
Based upon this regularity, such evidence provides the investigator with a factual reference or, at the very
least, an interference as to the actual time of the crime.

Unpredictable effects: are changes that occour in an unexpected or random fashion. Unpredictable effects
are changes that occur in an unexpected or random fashion. unpredictable effects alter the original scene
and the evidence. If unrecognized such effects can cause significant misinterpretation of the scene

Transitory Effects: manifest themselves at the crime scene in a number of ways oftentimes they are
fleeting. Unlike the body , the gun or the bloodstream transitory effects fail to stand out to the investigator.
It is only through deliberate observation that transitory effects are noted

Relational Detail: manifests themselves through the investigators ability to physically place an item at the
scene.

Functional details: manifest themselves in the operating condition of the items of the scene (forced entry
etc)

Addition of materials to the scene: the materials end up creating evidence that was not there to begin
with. It can obscure the investigators understanding of the crime and often used successfully by the
defense council to cast doubt about the guilt of a suspect.

The destruction of materials at the scene: result in the loss of an item’s evidentiary value

Movement of materials: movement: is often the result of investigative processing techniques but when
movement is unchecked it cloud the investigators understanding of the crime scene.

Probable cause: is a requirement in criminal law that must be met before a police officer can make an
arrest, conduct a search seize property or get a warrant

Notes:

 CSI’s purpose is to recover physical evidence and document the conditions.

 Police Goals and objectives
1. Crime prevention
2. Crime repression – identifying those responsible for the crimes
3. Regulating non-criminal conduct – traffic, bylaw etc
4. Provision of service – doing simple things outside the job description, helping stranded motorists
etc
5. Protection of personal liberty- protect citizens from unlawful conduct from other officers.
 Good Crime Scene Examinations and scene integrity issues
1. Knowledge
2. Skills and tools
3. A methodical approach
4. Flexibility
 5. A coordinated effort
 Basic scene-integrity issues
1. The addition of materials to the scene
2. The destruction of materials at the scene
3. The movement of materials at the scene

Diagrams / Pictures

Questions