Types of Evidence and
the Crime Scene
Four Types of Evidence
1.  Personal Evidence
2.  Physical Evidence
3.  Miscellaneous Evidence
4.  Corpus Delicti Evidence
Personal Evidence
♦  Testimony from a
person at the crime
scene.
♦  Can be subjective and
colored by a person’s
attitude.
♦  Ex. – Eyewitness,
confession, hearsay
(not usable in court).
Physical Evidence
♦  Something at the scene
of the crime that links
the perpetrator to the
crime.
♦  Objective and remains
the same for each
observer.
♦  Ex. – Fingerprints,
Fibers, Hair, Glass,
Footprints, etc.
Miscellaneous Evidence
♦ Does not fall into the two previous
groups.
♦ Can be subjective or objective and not
always admissible in court.
♦ Ex. – Polygraph (not admissible), voice
analysis (depends), psychological
exams (admissible).
Corpus Delicti Evidence
♦  Evidence that a crime
has been committed.
♦  Before an
investigation can
begin there must be
proof that a crime has
occurred.
♦  Ex. – Dead body,
broken window, stolen
safe, etc.
Admission of Physical Evidence
in Court
Admission of Physical Evidence
in Court (Con.)
Admission of Physical Evidence
in Court (Con.)
Crime Scene
First Responding officers priorities:
1.  Obtain medical assistance for any victim
2.  Arrest any perpetrators/suspects
3.  Secure the area around the crime scene
4.  Remove any unauthorized individuals
5.  Setup ropes or barricades
6.  Begin taking notes – include location of
items as well as times
7.  Begin interviewing witnesses or suspects
– take notes
Court Cases Effecting Crime
Scene