Crime scenes
Crime scenes can contain any number of categories of evidence. Most laypeople think of firearms, blood, shattered doors, and bodies. The fact is that anything physical can become evidence if it were used, stolen, or placed at a crime scene. When you look at evidence, many times it is what you don’t see that is important.
Identify 3 types of evidence that you typically are unable to see until they are processed.
Identify how these types of evidence are critical in determining the facts concerning the crime scene that help identify what happened and who was involved in the scene at the time of the offense(s).
Sample Answer
Sure, here are 3 types of evidence that you typically are unable to see until they are processed:
- Trace evidence: Trace evidence is small, often microscopic, particles that can be left behind at a crime scene. This evidence can include things like hair, fibers, glass, soil, pollen, and paint. Trace evidence can be very important in determining what happened at a crime scene, as it can link the perpetrator to the scene or to the victim.
- Firearm residue: Firearm residue is made up of tiny particles that are released when a gun is fired. This residue can be found on the hands of the shooter, on clothing, and on other objects at the crime scene. Firearm residue can be used to determine if someone fired a gun, and it can also be used to link the shooter to the gun.
- DNA evidence: DNA evidence is the most powerful type of evidence available to law enforcement. DNA can be found in all sorts of bodily fluids, including blood, semen, saliva, and hair. DNA evidence can be used to identify the perpetrator of a crime, even if the perpetrator was careful not to leave any other type of evidence behind.