FSC100H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Thermography, Arson, Buccal Swab
Document Summary
Objects that can: establish that a crime has been committed. To be used effectively, its presence first must be recognized at the scene. Spatial relationships also important: recognition of not just what but where, situation of items in relation to each other, bones, weapons and victims, shell casings. Searching a scene is a damaging event: ensure photos obtained before search process, as potential evidence found. How to search: consider paths of contamination, perpetrator activity, first responders, emergency response. Most important to be methodical and systematic. Methods used based on variety of factors: outdoor/indoor, terrain, weather, size, urgency, lighting available, what being searched for, evidence already found, concentration of material, people available. Search goes back and forth across scene, with slight overlap: like mowing the lawn. Often done in outdoor scenes: ex/ yard, parking lot. For increased detection ability: after searching in one direction, searcher goes over same area at 90 angle to previous direction.
