Assignment Details
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)
Full Answer Section
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) because they can provide a direct link between the suspect and the crime scene. For example, if the suspect's fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, this is strong evidence that they were involved in the crime. Similarly, if the suspect's DNA is found on the victim's body, this is strong evidence that they were in contact with the victim at the time of the crime.
Trace evidence can also be used to reconstruct the events of the crime. For example, if glass fragments are found at the scene of a break-in, this suggests that the suspect broke a window to gain entry. Similarly, if gunshot residue is found on the suspect's clothing, this suggests that they fired a gun.
By processing and analyzing evidence that is typically unable to be seen until it is processed, such as fingerprints, DNA, and trace evidence, investigators can gain valuable insights into what happened at the crime scene and who was involved. This information can then be used to identify the suspect, build a case against them, and bring them to justice.