Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation (FRSC1011)
Class notes
Trentu - Intro. to Crime Scene Investigation (Sc); FRSC 1011H
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Course
Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation (FRSC1011)
Institution
Trent University (TrentU
)
Notes taken during the FRSC 1011H lecture; used as an extension to lecture notes. Includes easier to digest wording of key concepts and additives said verbally by the professor.
Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation (FRSC1011)
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Office: C246 Health and Life Sciences
Lecture 1:
● Need bound hardcover notebook
● Online lab 1.1 and 1.2 **use the note taking help from lecture 2**
Lecture 2:
● Anthropometry = biometrics (today - more sophisticated version)
● Must compare fingerprints to something to be useful (database)
● The fourth step of the scientific method as presented in the textbook is incorrect in
barry’s opinion: should be fail to reject
○ Goal of hypothesis is to disprove it, if cannot disprove then fail to reject
○ Cannot validate hypothesis: barry’s opinion
Fingerprint evidence questioned
● Several cases where fingerprint evidence led to incorrect identification and even false
conviction - e.g. 2004 Madrid train bombing (it was partial fingerprint that matched both
people)
● Why? - no universal standardization or statistical evaluation of the assessments
● The individualisation may be real, the question is does this allow the people making the
call to distinguish among similar prints given the quality of evidence from a crime scene
Lab Questions
● What is the proper procedure to follow when an error is made during note taking?
○ Neatly cross out the mistake with one horizontal line over the mistake so it is still
legible and initial beside the mistake
● What information is not typically included in a crime scene investigators notebook?
○ Unrelated comments by first responder/others may talk to
○ No opinions/assumptions, analyses, or conclusions (not what think, what see)
● What is the purpose of a chain of custody?
○ All details validate the evidence - possible mistakes easily traceable
○ Holds investigators (those who handled the evidence) and justice system
accountable
○ Maintains the integrity and authenticity of the evidence and its examinations
Sketch
● Size of room, precise locations of evidence, victims, things of interest in the scene
● Rectangulation: precise measurements of elements of interest taken from the closest
walls, directly perpendicular measurements from wall to be taken
● Artists name, case #, location of crime scene, compass and legend
● No scale necessary b/c not exact reproduction
● Furniture measurements and evidence locations
● Time investigator began sketching listed in body of notes
Note taking
● Format: title block, body (include time began sketching), sign off (signature and time)
● mistakes made: neatly cross out once and initial beside
● make no assumptions (red substance may not be blood)
, ● Do not skip lines, military time
Lecture 3: Searching/Securing the Crime Scene
● Command center - mobile forensic van: communication center
Locating the evidence
● Locard’s Exchange Principle: when two objects come into contact, materials are
exchanged between them
● Physical Evidence: large objects to microscopic traces
● Not all evidence is clearly visible or apparent, thus may be only be detected after a
thorough examination in the lab
○ Collect carriers of trace evidence (ex/ clothing, vacuum sweeping, fingernail
scrapings, etc)
● Notes should include more than physical evidence (ex/ smell, hints of temporal aspects)
● Physical evidence not handled during walkthrough
● Larger crime scene search patterns: wheel/ray & grid & quadrant/zone
Lecture 4: Crime Scene Photography
● Large aperture = small # small aperture = higher #
● (longer) Shutter speed = (longer) time of exposure (w/ the aperture)
● Higher aperture = greater depth of field (depth of field determined by aperture)
● Modes allow automation
● Aperture = f-stop
● Bypass/Barrier filters allow you to visualize things that aren’t readily visible (ex/ only
shows orange)
Photography log
● Date, time the photograph was taken, the location of the picture
● the f- stop + shutter speed settings
● lighting used and the lighting angle (if applicable)
● brief description of the subject of the picture
Crime Scene Photography
● Overview photographs of the entire scene and surrounding area, including points of exit
and entry, are taken first
○ Taken from outside borders of the scene and from various angles
○ Include ‘visual tag’ - object recorded in multiple overview photographs, to help
visually piece the scene together
● Medium-range photographs show the layout of smaller significant areas of the crime
scene
○ Include at least one photograph of the ‘centre’ of the scene
● Close-up photographs are taken last and show greater detail of individual objects or
evidence
○ Taken at 90 degree angle to the object, w/ and w/out evidence markers and
scales
○ For 3D objects, oblique lighting may be needed (shows depth details)
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