1. Finish and turn in the projection sketch activity. 2. Finish practical examinations for those that still need it 3. Self-reflection 4. Chain of Custody Activity 5. Evidence and Chain of Custody Notes 6. Case Study – Ryan Braun
1. Finish and turn in the projection sketch activity.
2. Finish practical examinations for those that still need it
3. Self-reflection4. Chain of Custody Activity
5. Evidence and Chain of Custody Notes6. Case Study – Ryan Braun
Page 18Topic: Chain of CustodyEQ: Why is maintaining the chain of
custody so important in forensic investigations?
Cornell Notes
Evidence = All the means by
which any alleged matter of fact is established or disproved.
In other words, evidence is anything that can prove or
disprove a case.
Evidence Collection and the Chain of Custody
Anything that a person leaves at a crime
scene. Anything that a person takes from a crime
scene.Anything that may otherwise be connected
with the crime.Anything that can be legally presented at a
trial, for the purpose of inducing a belief in the minds of the court and jury, as to the truth of the issue involved.
What Should be Considered Evidence?
Direct Evidence – Tends to show the existence of facts
through one or more of the 5 senses – what you saw, heard, smelled, felt, or tasted.
Indirect (Circumstantial) Evidence – Evidence that does not directly, in itself prove a fact, but helps to establish facts which tend to prove certain elements.
Physical Evidence – Evidence items that speak for themselves and do not require much explanation (DNA, tool mark, etc.) and are used for identification.
Three Types of Evidence
Foot prints Fingerprints Tire tracks Physical objects Bite marks DNA Eyewitness testimony Records Documents Photographs Video images It can also include anything that is NOT there
Evidence Can Include:
Things to keep in mind:
1. Obtain it LEGALLY2. Describe it in notes3. Identify it properly4. Package it properly5. Maintain the Chain of Custody
Collection of Physical Evidence
Fourth Amendment protects private citizens from
unreasonable searches and seizures. The amendment reads: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
1. Obtain it Legally
To obtain evidence legally means that you had the
right to take the item into custody Someone gave you consent to take it (must be
someone authorized to do so) You had a warrant authorizing a seizure The item was seized incidental to an arrest Officers have probable cause
Plain view doctrine Exigent circumstances
1. Obtain it Legally
Describing means that by reading your
report, the reader should be able to tell:What the item isThe location that you found itHow you obtained itThe date and time the item was foundHow it was identifiedThe chain of custody
2. Describe it in notes
You must be able to show that the item you
initially took is the same item at a later date.For actual physical items, it is preferred to
mark them with your initials, date, case number
For items such as liquids, soil, or tiny fragments, the container itself should be sealed and marked.
3. Identify it properly
Use a suitable container Seal securly against leakage Package each item separately If wet or bearing blood, dry thoroughly before
packaging. Exceptions would be samples collected for the
presence of chemicals, hydrocarbons, or blood or biological samples taken for testing
4. Package it properly
There must be a written record of who
has had possession of the evidence at all times.
The chain of custody will show who collected the evidence, who had contact with the evidence, at what time, under what circumstance, and what (if any) changes were made.
5. Maintain a Chain of Custody
Keep it as short as possible The chain starts with the person who finds it,
collects it, and identifies it Each time another person takes possession, it
must be signed for.
Maintain the evidence in a locked vault, cabinet, or room.If evidence requires laboratory analysis, get it to the lab as soon as possible.
5. Maintain a Chain of Custody