FSC100H5 Lecture 4: 4_ Crime Scene Management
Definition of ‘crime’:
●An act punishable by law
●Latin: “offence” or “change”
○Crime scene: any place where an act has taken place that is contrary to the law
●Definition of ‘manage’
○To take charge or care of
○To handle, direct, govern, or control in action or in use
●Are all scenes crimes scenes?
○Nope
●Reason for managing crime scenes
○Allow full investigation
○Proper documentation of evidence
○Collection of physical evidence
○Admissibility in court
●Edmond Locard
○Medical researcher and lawyer
○Founded crime lab in basement of Palais de Justice in Lyon, France (1910)
○Established basic principle of forensic science: exchange theory or locard’s
principle
●Locard’s Principle
○“Every contact leaves a trace”
●Evidence refers to anything that can give or substantiate information in a legal
investigation
○Derived from Latin evidentia
“to be visible”
○Important in investigations for 3 reasons:
■Provides clear direction for investigations who act on nature of evidence
to form leads
■Quantity of evidence establishes case’s credibility in court affecting judge
and jury
Document Summary
Crime scene: any place where an act has taken place that is contrary to the law. To handle, direct, govern, or control in action or in use. Founded crime lab in basement of palais de justice in lyon, france (1910) Established basic principle of forensic science: exchange theory or locard"s principle. Evidence refers to anything that can give or substantiate information in a legal investigation. Derived from latin evidentia to be visible . Provides clear direction for investigations who act on nature of evidence to form leads. Quantity of evidence establishes case"s credibility in court affecting judge and jury. Certain types bring with it the testimony of expert witnesses. Abstract - derived from an individuals testimony. Individual with knowledge or info related to a case. Witnesses beyond crime scene did not witness crime and may not be aware a crime occured. Identifies person as a regular customer (shop keeper) Witnessed a crime or are victim to one.
