Investigation and Evidence Collection Flashcards

What is the purpose of a 'crime scene walk-through' before evidence collection begins?

Answer: To orient investigators and identify evidence priorities

The initial walk-through allows the lead investigator to assess the scene, identify priorities, and develop a systematic collection plan before evidence is disturbed.

Under what circumstances can a suspect's statement made without a caution be used in court in Canada?

Answer: When the suspect volunteered the statement spontaneously

Spontaneous, voluntary statements made before any questioning or detention may be admissible even without a caution, as the Charter protection applies to detained persons.

Which technique involves systematically searching a crime scene by dividing it into quadrants?

Answer: Zone or quadrant search method

The zone or quadrant search divides the scene into sections, each assigned to a searcher, ensuring thorough and organized coverage of the entire area.

What is the key difference between 'direct evidence' and 'circumstantial evidence'?

Answer: Direct evidence proves a fact without inference; circumstantial requires inference

Direct evidence directly proves a fact without requiring inference, while circumstantial evidence requires the trier of fact to draw a logical inference to reach a conclusion.

When is it appropriate for an investigator to use a 'Reid Technique' interrogation approach?

Answer: Increasingly disfavored due to risks of false confessions

The Reid Technique is increasingly disfavored in Canadian law enforcement due to documented risks of eliciting false confessions, particularly from vulnerable individuals.

What should an investigator do if they discover evidence that appears to weaken their current theory of the crime?

Answer: Document, preserve, and objectively evaluate it like all other evidence

Investigators must document, preserve, and objectively evaluate all evidence regardless of whether it supports or undermines their current theory, to avoid tunnel vision.

In digital forensics, what is 'write-blocking' technology used for?

Answer: Preventing any changes to a digital device during forensic imaging

Write-blocking hardware or software prevents any data from being written to a digital storage device during forensic imaging, preserving the original evidence state.