OPOTA Unit 11-2 Evidence Collection
Techniques
Evidence is defined as - ANS--anything that will support or challenge information that subject or
witnesses alleges to be a fact
-any legally obtained object or material which aids the investigator in reconstruction of the
offense or the identification of the offender
Advantages of physical evidence over testimonial evidence - ANS-physical evidence provides a
tangible object for the jury to see, defendant cannot misrepresent physical evidence, PE is not
subject to memory loss, PE can be independently tested
Types of physical evidence - ANS--transient, conditional, pattern, transfer
Class Characteristics of Evidence - ANS-Shared by all members of its class
cannot be identified to a single source
Individual Characteristics of Evidence - ANS-sets the object apart from all others in its class
individual characteristics are unique
allows for individualization of evidence or identification of the individual source
Collected evidence must meet four requirements - ANS--legally obtained
-relevant
-identifiable
-Chain of custody adhered too
Duties of First responder to a crime scene - ANS-Secure the scene, observe and record scene
data, photograph scene before disturbing anything, prepare sketch pf crime scene
Types of Crime Scene Search Patterns - ANS-strip, zone, grid, spiral, radius, car search
Precautions to avoid cross contamination of physical evidence - ANS-individually wrapped,
individually packaged
Factors to show integrity of evidence in the chain of custody - ANS--evidence collected at a
crime scene is the same as presented in court
-the item must not be altered or changed
-chain must be maintained in order to document reasons why any party has dealt with the
evidence
Items a chain of custody must reflect - ANS-who found or had contact with the evidence
to whom the evidence was given
Techniques
Evidence is defined as - ANS--anything that will support or challenge information that subject or
witnesses alleges to be a fact
-any legally obtained object or material which aids the investigator in reconstruction of the
offense or the identification of the offender
Advantages of physical evidence over testimonial evidence - ANS-physical evidence provides a
tangible object for the jury to see, defendant cannot misrepresent physical evidence, PE is not
subject to memory loss, PE can be independently tested
Types of physical evidence - ANS--transient, conditional, pattern, transfer
Class Characteristics of Evidence - ANS-Shared by all members of its class
cannot be identified to a single source
Individual Characteristics of Evidence - ANS-sets the object apart from all others in its class
individual characteristics are unique
allows for individualization of evidence or identification of the individual source
Collected evidence must meet four requirements - ANS--legally obtained
-relevant
-identifiable
-Chain of custody adhered too
Duties of First responder to a crime scene - ANS-Secure the scene, observe and record scene
data, photograph scene before disturbing anything, prepare sketch pf crime scene
Types of Crime Scene Search Patterns - ANS-strip, zone, grid, spiral, radius, car search
Precautions to avoid cross contamination of physical evidence - ANS-individually wrapped,
individually packaged
Factors to show integrity of evidence in the chain of custody - ANS--evidence collected at a
crime scene is the same as presented in court
-the item must not be altered or changed
-chain must be maintained in order to document reasons why any party has dealt with the
evidence
Items a chain of custody must reflect - ANS-who found or had contact with the evidence
to whom the evidence was given
