Week 3 – Discussion

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Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

 Preserving Evidence Scenario Based Activity [WLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4] [CLOs: 2, 3, 5]

There are several different types or classifications of evidence. Each type of evidence may have different requirements or methodology for handling them at the scene for it to be properly identified, documented, processed, and admissible at trial.

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, please review the following:

• From the text:
  • Chapter 8: Pattern Evidence 1: General Patterns and Fingerprints
  • Chapter 9: Pattern Evidence 2: Firearms, Tool Marks and Document Analysis
• From the free, downloadable resource at the web page Crime Scene Investigation Guide (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.:
  • Section D – Completing and Recording the Crime Scene Investigation
  • Section E – Crime Scene Equipment
• The articles:
  • An Automated Approach to the Classification of Impact Spatter and Cast-Off Bloodstain Patterns
  • Chemical Enhancement of Footwear Impressions in Blood Recovered from Cotton using Alginate Casts
• From the free PDF copy at the web page Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward (2009) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.:
  • Section 10. Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems
  • Section 11. Homeland Security and Forensic Science
• From the video Bodies, Blood, and Ballistics: Forensics School, Part One:
  • Segment 2. Forensics: Blood Spatter 02:35
  • Segment 5. Blood Spatter and Trajectories 04:35
• From the video Hands-On Police Work: Forensics School, Part Two:
  • Segment 3. Crime Scene Photography 02:27
  • Segment 6. How to Capture and Record Fingerprints 03:10
  • Segment 8. Crime Scene Documentation 03:18

You are also strongly encouraged to review the list of recommended resources, as they may assist you with this discussion forum and the The Difference Between Preliminary Field and Laboratory Testing assignment.

For students whose last names begin with

• A through G:
  • Identify the methods used in the identification of evidence (e.g., visual, black light, police dog, chemicals, electronics, etc.)
  • Describe at least three different methods involved in the identification of evidence.
  • Explain why these identification methods are appropriate for certain evidence but inappropriate for other types.
  • Explain how the identification methodology might affect laboratory testing.
  • Explain the requirements for the identification methodology related to admissibility of evidence at trial.
• H through O:
  • Explain the types of documentation that might be used at a crime scene (e.g. sketches, photographs, note taking, etc.)
  • Describe at least two different methods for documenting the scene.
  • Explain why the various documentation methods might be used for different types of crimes scenes or evidence.
  • Explain the requirements for documentation related to admissibility of evidence at trial.
• P through Z:
  • Contrast the collection and packaging requirements for different types of evidence (e.g., digital, biological, trace, drugs, explosives, etc.)
  • Describe at least three different methods involved in the collection and packaging of evidence.
  • Contrast between these different collection and packaging methods to identify the type of evidence each is appropriate for.
  • Explain how the different types of collection and packaging of evidence might affect laboratory testing.
  • Explain the requirements for the collection and packaging of evidence related to admissibility at trial.

Each thread must also address health and safety issues at the scene and in handling evidence (e.g., explosives, drugs, biological, etc.)

The instructor has the discretion to reassign students to an alternative category to ensure all topics are covered.

The body of your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from this week’s required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources and properly cite any references. Remember science is objective, not a matter of subjective opinions.