MPOETC EXAM #18 Questions Answered 100% correct

MPOETC EXAM #18 Questions Answered 100% correct Crime Scene -a location where the criminal incident has occurred, the body is found or where evidence connected to the crime may be found Methods of Securing the Scene -Crime Scene Tape -Barriers -Physical Presence- Officers Protecting the Scene -this is one of the most important duties a police officer can perform -only authorized crime scene detectives in the scene -document anyone that enters crime scene -Initial officer in charge of scene until relieved -Remove unauthorized persons -Witnesses need to be kept out of scene, but not are. Establish a location, keep separate -Family Members need to be kept back -Curiosity seekers out -Police Officers can destroy evidence, take names-report Preliminary Investigation -is the process of gathering basic information, this process is affected by available resources, personnel, equipment, and training In-Depth or Follow Up Investigation -is typically one in which extensive efforts are made to identify and collect evidence not already collected in the preliminary investigation Locard Exchange Principle -a person often leaves something at a crime scene and takes something away with him. "TRANSFER" -things left or taken may be traceable to a specific individual or things taken may be traced back to the scene and assist in helping ID the perpetrator Physical Evidence -Tangible or non-tangible items or their traces that may be examined and related to the criminal investigation ex: Guns, Fibers, Hair -Cannot be wrong-it cannot perjure itself-only its interpretation can error. -Only human failure to find it, study, and understand it can diminish its value Courts usually put more weight on physical evidence versus testimonial evidence Will be obtained from three main sources: -scene of the crime -victim, suspect, and environment Physical evidence serves two main purposes: -is often a decisive factor in determining guilt or innocence -can be material aid in locating the perpetrator of a crime Maintain Chain of Custody -must be maintained from time of discovery until court -log must be kept with dates, times, persons, and locations -Insures that everyone who had contact can testify at trial Point-to-Point Search -Searchers walks to point of evidence, notes it & has it collected. -Moves to next piece and follows some procedure until all evidence is recorded. -Often used as a preliminary method to evaluate the scene or small areas. -CONS: very disorganized & easy to overlook. Strip or Line Search -Most effective for outside. -Good for covering large areas. -CONS: doesn't allow for the immediate retracing of steps to double check the area. Spiral or Circular Search -Starts in & works out. -Can do in reverse. -PRO: good for one searcher, small area. -CON: can vary size of circles & miss evidence. Grid Search -A double strip search. -North to south then east to west. -PRO: covers area twice. -CON: time-consuming. Quadrant or Zone Search -Divide scene into manageable quadrants or squares. -Number the quadrants & search individually. -PRO: works well indoor & out, good for large areas, can use different search methods within the quadrant. -Good for buried body recovery. Wheel or Radiate Search -Searchers meet in center & walk to outer perimeter like spokes on a wheel. -CON: can miss evidence. Modus Operandi (Method of Operation) -Methods necessary to complete the crime. -Three practical purposes: hide identity, commit crime, escape. -Includes not only weapons & tools but of actions & sequences of actions. -Learned behavior, changes and improves with experience -Can be used to link crimes. Transferability -Involves the theory of transfer; items left or taken from the scene are referred to as trace evidence. -May become high quality if they can be individualized. Fingerprints 1. A fingerprint is an individual characteristic, NO two fingerprints are the same 2. A fingerprint will remain unchanged during an individual's lifetime. -Also unique on the palms and feet -permanent from twelfth week of gestation 3. Fingerprints have general ridge patterns that permit them to be systematically classified. Can be found at the scene as: 1. Latent or Invisible 2. Visible or Patent 3. Plastic or Three Dimensional Which of the following would be the best to get fingerprints off of: A. Pamphlet, B. Beer Can, C. Wall, D. Envelope? B. Beer Can What are the three classifications for fingerprints? Loops- enter from one side exit to the same side-60% most common Whorls-circular with two deltas-35% Arches-5%-enter from one side and flow out the other side-rarest T/F: Do not mark evidence directly TRUE, Mark the packaging not the evidence Photographing Evidence (chain of custody) -Evidence that is identified & collected must be safeguarded until produced in court. -Properly preserved & maintained to meet legal requirements for admissibility. -Proper preservation allows for explanation of any alternatives or changes. Blood Soaked and Stained Items **If No drying Cabinet hang over paper in secure area. Package in Paper-NEVER PLASTIC** What is the order in which officers should take photos? 1. Overall 2. Mid-range 3. Close up *NEVER delete any photographs even if bad picture* T/F: When an officer takes a picture that is blurry or not clear the officer should not delete the photo? TRUE When a crime scene does not have fixed objects what kind of measuring do you use? Triangulation When packaging evidence, what information must you provide? -Name -Date -Time -Location -Report # Chain of Custody Demonstrates -Is the same evidence found at the scene. -No opportunity to replace or alter. -Any change in condition can be explained. Establishing the Chain of Custody -Testimony and documents to prove who took possession and where and how it has moved about Rough Sketch -is created upon intial walk through or as soon as practical -It is NOT to scale and may be on a notebook or plain paper -Rough sketches may include measurements Final Sketch -Generally drawn to scale and presented to the court and jury -Compiled with or without evidence or both -Determined by case and prosecutor Mutually Exclusive Events -one event precludes the occurrence of another -Perpetrator left A-type Blood and Suspect has B-Type Blood. He is precluded from leaving the blood. Evidence is Not everything found at a crime scene Interview -a purposeful conversation between a police officer and another person -Dialogue -Non-Accusatory -Q & A format -subject can be a complainant, victim, witness, or suspect -Miranda is NOT required -the most underrated, effective, and economical investigative tool -Research suggest that 99% of all crime is solved through well organized interviews -FIND THE TRUTH Interrogation -Declaration to a suspect(s) informing them they are the person responsible for committing the crime -Monologue -Not a Q & A session, YOU are in Command -Accusatory -Fact finding-Generally, Guilt is certain. -Subject may or may not be free to leave -Miranda may or may not be required -FIND THE TRUTH **Statement must be given freely, voluntarily, and person must be in position to exercise complete mental freedom** Proxemics the study of the nature, degree, and effect of the spatial separation individuals naturally maintained in various relationships EX: How close we stand to people conveys a message -People react either positively or negatively from the space/distance we have from them Distances Intimate Distance= Touch to 1FT Personal Distance= 1FT to 4FT Social Distance= 4FT to 12FT Public Distance= Beyond 12FT Interview Preparation -Review Initial Complaint -Supplemental reports *-Recorded Evidence/Video/Audio/Gunshot Detectors/Social media* -Background Checks *-Police Records/Rap Sheets/CLEAN* Kinesics (body language) -the interpretation of body language -nonverbal behavior related to movement Trait of Effective Interviewer/Interrogator -build rapport -Empathy (to the extremes/ Ex: from criminal mischief all the way to child molester)- UNDERSTANDING the behavior of others--NOT ACCEPTING IT, but understanding it **-You don't have to like your customer-Just act like you do-Definitely do NOT TRUST THEM** Body Language/Body Posture/Gestures -Crossing Arms/Legs -Clenched Fist/Jaw Free Format Interview -The opening (introduce self/purpose, personal history questions, obtain/maintain rapport, be neutral/professional) -The narrative (Let them talk, avoid note-taking, Don't cut them off, listen) -First Paraphrase (regurgitate info, allows them to correct errors) -Six W's and H (Ask who, what, when, where, which, why, and how, along with any follow-up questions) -Second Paraphrase -Professional Close (Is there anything else I should Know? Who would you talk to next?) -Professional Close (Call me if you remember something. If you see suspect, vehicle/Don't confront/Call 911/ Then call me. Thank You) cognitive interview -use of imagery to retrieve information -change perspective/change order -Weather/Mood/Smells/Did Suspect remind you of someone? -How many numbers did you see? Tagging or Marking Evidence -yellow tents and photos at scene -use of scale in photos to show size -evidence tags for each item which starts the chain of custody -MARKING THE ITEM ITSELF IS NOT RECOMMENDED -it may degrade the item or the evidence value -it may alter or mar the item prior to lab processing