SOCO 6 core Competencies
1. attend crime scene
2. inspect crime scene
3. record crime scene
4. collect preserve and process evidence at crime scene
5. document evidence
6. court
In terms of the 6 core competencies for a SOCO, what is involved when you attend a crime scene?
Have equipment available to examine, collect, preserve and process physical evidence
In terms of the 6 core competencies for a SOCO, what is involved when you inspect a crime scene
develop a strategy for collecting, preserving and recording physical evidence
In terms of the 6 core competencies for a SOCO, what is involved when you record a crime scene
accurately document the crime scene prior to Forensic Examination - photograph the overall scene - detailed location of where evidence was seized
In terms of the 6 core competencies for a SOCO, what is involved when you collect preserve and process evidence at the crime scene
prevent contamination or disturbance of the crime scene and potential evidence. Locate, document and process evidence at scene. Collect evidence for forensic analysis. Collect evidence, preserve and submit evidence into court
In terms of the 6 core competencies for a SOCO, what is involved when you document evidence
document initial forensic exam to assist in the investigation. Preserve and record exhibits for court. Ensure timely transfer of evidence to forensic ident officers
In terms of the 6 core competencies for a SOCO, what is involved when you attend court
attend court to present verbal and physical evidence
What are the three things that define a crime scene? (any location......)
1. any location where a crime was actually committed
2. any location where evidence is located
3. any location where evidence of the crime is know to have been previously located
What are some examples of a crime scene?
a robbery: the store, the getaway car, where the car was prior to the robbery
What evidence could be obtained from a getaway vehicle of a robbery?
tire tracks
foot prints
possible DNA
hair
witness
video
What are the objective of a crime scene? (10)
1. confirm that a crime has occurred
2. confirm that the crime occurred in the manner that it was reported
3. identify the appropriate criminal charge
4. identify the victim
5. identify the person responsible for the crime
6. gain evidence
7. identify and
Why do you document a crime scene?
having detailed notes and drawings will allow you to in the future to present your evidence in court, coroners inquest or a tribunal
What is contamination?
When a scene is altered from its original state
Who could cause crime scene contamination?
any person who unnecessarily enters the area where an offence has been committed i.e. police, fire, ems
Processing a crime scene from beginning to end. (Should write this one out multiple times)
- attend crime scene
- speak and question officer in charge
- obtain info on who has been into the scene. points of entry and exit
- time scene was secured (who was in or out since then)
- time of entry into the scene by you
- initial walk thru of crime s
What are the three primary duties of the first officer on scene ? (in order)
1. preserve life
2. safety
3. secure scene
What are the 5 crime scene search methods?
1. line search
2. spiral search
3. quadrant search
4. grid search
5. strip search
What is the line search method?
- used for large outdoor areas
- walk side by side in one direction
- evidence located is marked
What is the spiral search method?
- for outdoors but can be used inside
- search begins at the middle and working outwards in a circular fashion
- could also reverse and start on the outside
What is the quadrant search method?
- indoor or outdoor
- divide into 4 zones
- search each zone separately
- example: drug searches of rooms
What is the grid search method?
- large areas outside like a field
- example: plane crash
- detailed search broken into equal squares
- re-search with line search
What is the strip search method?
- ideal for fields, parking lots, outdoors
- example: streets looking for money, drugs, bullets
- one or more persons walking linear fashion reversing direction (zig zagging)
Why do we take photos instead or with video?
Not as graphic as video
courts will often allow photos
good photos will allow for crime scene reconstruction
What are the principle requirements to admit a photograph?
has to be RELEVANT and AUTHENTIC