hazmat ch10
Post on 22-May-2015
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Mission-Specific Competencies:
Evidence Preservation and Sampling
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Objectives (1 of 3)
• Understand the role that all first responders have in preserving evidence
• Identify when a hazardous material/WMD incident could be a violation of criminal law
• Identify the law enforcement agencies that could be involved in an investigation
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Objectives (2 of 3)
• Describe the various types of evidence including physical and trace evidence
• Understand the difference between evidence preservation and sampling
• Describe the chain-of-custody and its importance
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Objectives (3 of 3)
• Understand how witnesses are identified
• Describe the key concepts to be taken into consideration when analyzing, planning, and implementing an evidence preservation and sampling response
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Evidence (1 of 2)
• Information gathered to help determine cause of incident
• Forensic evidence is used in legal process
• Strict procedures must be followed
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Evidence (2 of 2)
• Important for identifying person(s) responsible for event
• Evidence preservation should never impede:– Fire suppression– Life-saving operations
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General Indicators That a Crime Is Involved
• Anonymous threats before incident
• Nearby notes or graffiti claiming responsibility
• Suspicious activity on scene
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Letters and Packages (1 of 2)
• May hold explosive or hazardous materials
• Causes for suspicion:– Excessive postage (to ensure package is not
returned to sender)– Threatening messages on package– Leaks or stains
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Letters and Packages (2 of 2)
It is important to check suspicious packages for visible leaks or stains.
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Illicit Laboratories (1 of 2)
• Produce methamphetamine and other drugs
• Construct explosive devices
• Manufacture chemical agents
• Culture biological agents
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Illicit Laboratories (2 of 2)
• Causes for suspicion:– Fences– Excessive window coverings– Enhanced ventilation/filtration systems– Chemical storage cylinders– Lab equipment
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Environmental Crimes (1 of 3)
• Intentional release or disposal of hazardous materials– Air– Ground– Water systems
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Environmental Crimes (2 of 3)
• Causes for suspicion:– Containers discarded at site– Staining or odors near street drainage
systems– Dead or dying plants, insects, animals nearby
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Environmental Crimes (3 of 3)
Crop-dusting equipment can be used as a means to commit environmental crimes.
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If No Crime Was Committed
• Evidence collection is still important
• Basis for lawsuits victims may file
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Investigative Jurisdictions (1 of 2)
• Criminal investigations start with Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
• It determines who has investigative authority
• Multiagency task forces may be formed
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Investigative Jurisdictions (2 of 2)
• Agencies that may be involved:– Postal Inspection Service– Drug Enforcement Administration– Federal Bureau of Investigation– Environmental Protection Agency
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Types of Evidence
• Physical evidence
• Trace (transfer) evidence
• Demonstrative evidence
• Direct evidence
• Circumstantial evidence
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Physical Evidence (1 of 2)
• Observed
• Photographed
• Measured
• Collected
• Examined in a laboratory
• Presented in court
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Physical Evidence (2 of 2)
Physical evidence can be observed.
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Trace (Transfer) Evidence (1 of 2)
• Minute quantity of physical evidence
• Conveyed from one place to another
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Trace (Transfer) Evidence (2 of 2)
A side-by-side comparison of the color and texture of soil can eliminate a large percentage of samples as not being matches.
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Demonstrative Evidence (1 of 2)
• Used to validate a theory
• To show how something could have occurred
• Example: Cast of tool mark found at scene
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Demonstrative Evidence (2 of 2)
A cast of a tool mark.
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Direct Evidence (1 of 2)
• Facts observed or reported firsthand
• Statements
• Videotape
• Can include physical evidence
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Direct Evidence (2 of 2)
A videotape of a person committing a crime is considered to be direct evidence.
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Circumstantial Evidence
• Based on facts observed firsthand
• Can be used to prove a theory
• Common at fire scenes
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Evidence Preservation
• Process of protecting potential evidence
• Until it can be documented, sampled, collected
• Responders should leave it in place
• Move no more debris than necessary
• Cover to protect if necessary
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Contamination
• Evidence should not be contaminated
• Use new tools to collect each piece of evidence
• Investigators use special containers to store evidence
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Chain of Custody (1 of 3)
• Other terms– Chain of evidence– Chain of possession
• Continuous possession and control of evidence
• From discovery until presented in court
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Chain of Custody (2 of 3)
• Every transfer of possession must be documented
• Leave evidence where you find it
• Report to a senior official
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Chain of Custody (3 of 3)
Evidence should remain where you find it until you can turn it over to an officer or investigator.
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Identifying Witnesses
• Interviews conducted by:– Incident investigator– Law enforcement officer
• If neither is present:– Get witness’s name, address, phone number– Give to investigator
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Rumors and Reporters
• State opinions on probable cause only to investigator– Rumors circulate easily
• Statements to reporters are made by official spokesperson– After investigator and IC agree on accuracy
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12 Steps of Evidence Sampling
(1 of 2)
1. Preparation
2. Approach the scene
3. Secure and protect the scene
4. Initiate a preliminary survey
5. Evaluate physical evidence possibilities
6. Prepare a narrative description
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12 Steps of Evidence Sampling
(2 of 2)
7. Describe the scene photographically
8. Prepare a diagram or sketch of the scene
9. Conduct a detailed search
10. Record and collect physical evidence
11. Conduct the final survey
12. Release the scene
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Sampling Team
• Consists of three people– Sampler– Assistant– Documenter
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Securing, Characterizing, and Preserving the Scene
• Necessary as soon as incident identified as criminal
• Limit access
• Early characterization of the scene
• Preserve evidence
• Notify law enforcement agency
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Document Personnel and Scene Activity
• Document identity/purpose of personnel– Present when you arrive– Who enter after crime scene is so
characterized
• “Tag in/tag out” records work
• Record initial on-scene observations
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Notification
• Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel
• Law enforcement agency having jurisdiction
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Identifying Samples to Be Collected
• Indicate where evidence is located
• Colored cones or tape
• Nondestructive markings or identification
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Collecting Samples
• Collecting all potential evidence may be too much
• Use various sampling techniques
• Nondestructive field screening methods
• Prevent secondary contamination
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Documentation of Evidence
• Document sampling/collection process– Photographs– Videotape
• Note name of person sampling
• Note location, time sample was collected
• Note physical state, quantity, container
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Sampling and Field Screening Protocol
• Plan must be followed
• Ensure that evidence is safe before it enters laboratory
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Labeling, Packaging, and Decontamination
• Place in appropriate container
• Label as to type of hazard
• Perform technical decontamination
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Summary (1 of 2)
• Responders need to consider calls they respond to might be the result of criminal activities
• Local law enforcement must be notified• Preserve, sample, and collect evidence so
that it can be used in prosecution
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• Types of evidence are physical, trace, demonstrative, direct, and circumstantial evidence
• Sampling, preservation, and documentation must be given due attention
Summary (2 of 2)
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