Chapter 7 - Crime Scene Reconstruction exam questions and answers

Crime Scene Reconstruction The method used to support a likely sequence of events at a crime scene by the observation and evaluation of physical evidence and statements made by individuals involved with the incident. Objectivity a manner of professional detachment practiced by individuals to avoid letting personal beliefs or biases affect the conclusions reached through observations. 0:01 / 0:15 What techniques/knowledge is needed to create a logical crime scene reconstruction? Deductive Reasoning Inductive Reasoning Falsifiability Deductive Reasoning the process of drawing a conclusion based on known facts or premises. Inductive Reasoning the process of drawing a conclusion from premises one does not know are correct. Falsifiability the ability of a theory to be disproved by being tested against known information. What are the limitations to crime scene reconstruction? (1) Bifurcation (2) Generalization (3) False Linkage Bifurcation expecting a simple yes/no answer to a complex question Generalization when you make a overall conclusion without looking at other possibilities False Linkage when the investigator assumes a link between two or more objects of evidence that started the investigation down the wrong path. Direct Physical Evidence an item of evidence from which an indisputable fact or detail of the events at the crime scene can be concluded. Circumstantial Evidence an item of evidence that suggests the occurrence of one of several possible events at the crime scene. Testimonial Evidence evidence gained through statements from witnesses, suspects, and others who have some knowledge of the crime scene. Reenactment investigators attempt to re-create the circumstances surrounding a particular event at the crime scene in order to observe the result and gain information. What is the purpose of crime scene reenactments? to prove or disprove a theory How are reenactments carried out? through the use of live personnel, mannequins, or computer-generated models. Evidence used in a crime-scene reconstruction must be accompanied by a valid chain of custody form What are the four types of evidence that can be utilized from a crime scene? (1) direct physical evidence (2) circumstantial evidence (3) testimonial evidence (4) crime scene reenactments What is the end product of all crime scene reconstructions? An event timeline What is an event timeline? A visual of all the possible sequences of occurrences at a crime scene and the known or estimated time period in which they took place. In the assassination of President JFK, how did investigators confirm the number of shooters involved? Bullet trajectories All observations at a crime scene should be recorded through photographs, sketches, and notes What is the fundamental foundation of crime scene reconstruction? The collection, documentation, and interpretation of physical evidence. What was the significant evidence presented in the Valentine's Day Murder? Expert testimony from a ballistics expert What was the significance of testimony presented in the Valentine's Day Murder? expert testimony from the ballistics expert called on by the defense contradicted the prosecutor's account of the incident. the prosecution tried to paint the picture that Pistorius intentionally killed his girlfriend, however the ballistics expert confirmed that the wood splinter marks on the victims arm prove that she was reaching out to open the door when she was shot What is one of the pittfalls of crime-scene reconstruction? generalizing the assessment and processing of evidence How should evidence be assessed? each item of evidence should be analyzed and tested separately from all other evidence