17 Vocabulary Terms CRIME SCENE Corpus Delicti Latin

17 Vocabulary. Terms CRIME SCENE

Corpus Delicti Latin for: body of the crime � �Means it must be proven that a crime has occurred before a person can be convicted � (Death = homicide, Fire = arson)

Secondary Crime Scene �A secondary crime scene is in some way related to the crime but is not where the actual crime took place.

Legend �a table on a map listing and explaining the symbols used. � Includes �Case number �Type of crime �Investigator �Persons assisting �Direction of North �identifying information in sketch – key, scale

Physical Evidence �tangible items that tend to prove some material fact; �also called real evidence

Orientation Shot �photos that show a compass location and site orientation clearly showing relationship to surrounding areas and adjacent structures including access streets, pathways, doors and windows

Warrantless Searches �searches without a proper warrant �Could include incident to arrest, plain view, consent, emergencies, hot pursuit (exigent circumstances)

Reconstruction �recreate the crime using �Data collection �Hypothesis formation �Examination, testing, and analysis Determination of the significance of the evidence �Theory formulation

Right Angle Sketch �Uses two adjacent walls as fixed points �distances are measured at right angles

Triangulation �Common in outdoor scenes �Uses straight-line measurements from two fixed objects to the evidence to create a triangle with evidence in the angle formed by two straight lines.

Spiral �search method that may move inward or outward; best used where there are no physical barriers

Grid �search method— basically a double-line search �effective, but timeconsuming

Strip �Search method best used in large, outdoor scenes �Officers form a line, shoulder to shoulder, and walk through the area searching for evidence

Zone �Search method effective in houses or buildings �teams are assigned rooms or small zones for searching

Crime Scene �where a crime actually occurred

authentication �Documenting who has possession of crime-related evidence �From point of collection to appearance in court of law.

Chain of custody �Physical log for single piece of evidence that documents who had possession of it and when. �Flow chart of the movement of evidence

documentation �Recording in detail the conditions when the crime occurred