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Criminology Unit 3 - 1.3 - Explain how evidence is processed
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U3 1.3 Explain how evidence is processedThere are 2 types of evidence collected in criminal investigations: physical and testimonial evidence.
Note- explain 2 types of evidence and then select relevant examples of evidence from scenarios to explain collection, analysis,
etc
Preference- shoe prints,hair and fibres, fingerprints
Physical Evidence -
Physical evidence is real and consists of tangible evidence such as blood, DNA, footprints, etc. It is present in most criminal cases which may
be due to Loachard’s exchange principle. This principle states that every time someone enters an environment, something is added or
removed, in other words, ‘every contact leaves a trace’. (Link to Barry George)
(Depends on scenario)
With dealing with an outdoor crime scene, physical evidence can be problematic. For example, Weather conditions may destroy or
contaminate evidence as well as evidence simply being lost or destroyed. Outdoor crime scenes often attract media attention which could
impact against the reliability of the evidence due to contamination. To mitigate these potential problems, it is vital the police secure the
crime scene.
Once discovered, physical evidence must be handled in different ways.
Evidence Collection Transfer Storage Analysis Personnel
Involved
Shoe prints -When collecting latent -Transferred in -Store in -Marks and cuts on a shoe will -Police are
(Impression footprints, lifting dust containers containers also be recorded so these can usually the first
evidence)- must be used as well as -Photographs where it cannot be compared to the at the scene
, It can be in 2 an electrostatic plate, be offender's shoe when arrested. and they
forms: latent called ESLA, which contaminated -The footprint experts can use secure the
footprints (2D- attracts the dust particles and is protected. the National Footwear crime scene in
invisible to the to make the marks more Reference Collection to order to
naked eye) and visible. Photographs are -Photographs compare and to check to see preserve
patent footprints then taken of the are stored on the if a print matches known evidence.
(3D- has depth) footprints when under database. offenders. -CSI- use their
ultraviolet light. These (Link to Amanda Knox case) expertise to
photographs are then -Cinderella analysis- looks at collect and
electronically transferred. the shoes insole and can transfer the
-Patent footprints with a match to an offender's feet. evidence for
cast of the print being testing.
made from casting -Footprint
powder and water. specialists who
Once the mould has set, analyse the
the cast is boxed and footprints and
labelled and transferred identify possible
to the lab. offenders.
Hair and fibres -A hazmat suit must be -Once collected -They are stored -Once at the lab, the hairs The personnel
(Body tissues and worn when collecting evidence is labelled separate from and fibres are analysed under usually involved
trace evidence) evidence to prevent and is transferred to the each other to a microscope in order to are police
contamination. labs for testing. avoid any identify and compare the officers, CSIs,
-Hairs should be placed contamination. hairs. forensic
in DNA tubes, to protect -Hairs may undergo a scientists and
them during the transfer toxicology exam to look for specialists.
to the labs, while fibres drug use.
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