FSC239Y5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Best Evidence Rule, Arson, Buccal Swab
Document Summary
Evidence is anything that can be used to prove an assertion: testimony (eye witness, expert, objects (physical evidence, observations (weather, lights on/off at a crime scene) Any and all objects that can: establish that a crime has been committed, link crime-victim, crime-perpetrator. To be used effectively, its presence first must be recognized at the scene. The more physical evidence recovered, the more likely a theory of what happened during a crime can be established: cannot collect and submit everything for analysis. Selectivity based on collector"s knowledge of lab"s techniques, capabilities, and limitations: lacking this knowledge can lead to evidence being overlooked or collected improperly, collected in a manner that is most useful. Technique governed by the area that has to be searched: outdoors/indoors, evidence already found, size, concentration of material. Try to keep evidence in its original condition. Be mindful of bacterial growth on moist items, oxidation on metal items.
