 CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

Expert witness: An individual whom the court determines to possess a particular skill or
knowledge in a trade or profession that is not expected of the average layperson and that will
aid a court in determining the truth of a matter at trial.

Locard's exchange principle: When two objects come into contact with each other, a cross-
transfer of materials occurs.

Scientific method: A process that uses strict guidelines to ensure careful and systematic
collection, organization, and analysis of information.

 CHAPTER 2 – SECURING AND SEARCHING THE CRIME SCENE

 Command center: A secure site outside the boundaries of a crime scene where
equipment is stored, tasks are assigned, and communication is kept.
 Grid search: A search method employed by two or more people overlapping separate
line searches forming a grid.
 Line/strip search: A search method used by one or two investigators by walking in
straight lines across the crime scene.
 Primary scene: A crime scene at which the original criminal act was perpetrated.
 Quadrant/zone search: A search method in which the crime scene is divided into
smaller sections (zones or quadrants) and team members are assigned to search each
section. Each of these sections can be subdivided into smaller sections for smaller
teams to search thoroughly.
 Secondary scene: A crime scene separate from the primary scene that became part of
the crime by its involvement in activities after the initial criminal act was perpetrated.
 Spiral search: A search method in which the investigator move in an inward spiral
from the boundary to the center of the scene or in an outward spiral from the center to
the boundary of a scene.
 Walkthrough: The initial survey of the crime scene carried out by the lead
investigator where he or she will gain an overview of the scene in order to formulate a
plan for processing the scene.
 Wheel/ray search pattern: A search method employed by several people moving
from the boundary straight toward the center of the scene (inward) or from the center
straight to the boundary (outward).

 CHAPTER 4 – COLLECTION OF CRIME SCENE EVIDENCE

Buccal swab: A swab of the inner portion of the cheek, performed to collect cells for use in
determining the DNA profile of an individual.

Chain of custody: A list of all people who came into possession of an item of evidence.

Contamination: The transfer of extraneous matter between the collector and the evidence or
multiple pieces of evidence, producing tainted evidence which cannot be used in the
subsequent investigation.

Physical evidence: Any object that can establish that a crime has been committed or can link
a crime and its victim or its perpetrator.

Standard/reference sample: Physical evidence whose origin is known, such as blood or hair
from a suspect, that can be compared to crime-scene evidence.

Substrate control: Surface material close to areas where physical evidence has been
deposited.