Unit 2 Forensic Science Text Questions PDF

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Student Name: Anosha Zahid

Unit 2: Forensic Science Text Questions 1) Why is it important to secure the crime scene? What do you think would be the most difficult part of doing this? The main reason why it is so important to keep the crime scene secure is that everyone who enters the crime scene can potentially contaminate or destroy evidence, even if they do not mean to do so. Limiting access to the crime scene and ensuring that only trained professionals have access to it increases the likelihood that any evidence present will be preserved. By securing the crime scene investigators increase their chances of finding evidence leading to the successful apprehension of a suspect. I think the most difficult part of doing this would be the presence of other people besides the investigating officials. In crime scenes it is common for many people to be present including relatives of the victim, neighbors, the press, and additional law enforcement personnel therefore ropes and barricades have be used to keep these individuals outside the crime scene.

2) What type of recording do you think would be the most useful to crime investigators? Why? I think Videography would be the most useful tool for documenting a crime scene. Videos can be used to record visual elements of a scene but can also serve as a form of note-taking. A crime scene video can show the overall scene and the relation of elements to one another. Video may also be a form of evidence. With the widespread use of cell phone cameras, more crimes are now caught on video. CCTV and security systems may capture images of a suspect. Video evidence can play a key role in trials, especially if other evidence is scarce or if witnesses disagree about what took place.

3) What do you think would be the best method of submitting evidence to a crime lab? Why? Personal delivery would be the best method of submitting evidence to a crime lab. It lessens the chances of the evidence being contaminated and destroyed by other people through regular mail shipment.

4) What type of evidence do you think would be most difficult to collect? Why? Trace evidence would be most difficult to collect because they are often small evidence like blood or hair. In order to identify these small evidences relevant items are collected for further analysis at the crime laboratory. For example, the clothing of a victim and a suspect may be collected and examined for blood, hair, or fibers. Tools like tweezers may be used to pick out hairs or fibers from clothing or other areas. Rooms may be vacuumed to collect microscopic evidence for analysis at the lab. Scrapings may be taken from under the fingernails of individuals at the crime scene if they were in contact with others.

5) What does the Fourth Amendment protect against? Do you agree with these restrictions on collecting evidence? Why or why not? The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. This law dictates that, in order for a search to be performed, a search warrant must first be obtained. To obtain a search warrant, officers must demonstrate to a judge that probable cause exists. They must have reason to believe that criminal activity occurred at the place to be searched. Although many pieces of evidence can be recovered under a search warrant, there are some situations where evidence cannot be recovered. There are exceptions to the Fourth Amendment rules. A search warrant is not required to seize illegal items in plain sight. Likewise, officers can enter a building if they believe that someone inside needs emergency medical attention or to look for additional victims and perpetrators. Individuals can also waive their rights and voluntarily allow officers to search their vehicle or home. While they are many advantages and disadvantages I agree with these restrictions because its easier to get a search warrant and let people voluntarily search their private properties without putting up a fight....