Different types of evidence, their importance and how an investigator would collect them
Evidently, there exist different types of evidences that should be collected by crime scene investigators across different crime scenes. Speaking of evidence, this connotes to either testimonials from witnesses or victims as well as physical evidence.
- Hair
Human hair occurs as one of the most crucial evidences that should be collected for use as evidence across different crime scenes. This type of evidence is noteworthy because it offers a viable platform that can disclose the possible identity of the person who committed a given crime (Klamberg, 2013). On a similar note, a comparison of human hair sampled derived from a crime scene can be carried out with the primary aim of determining the similarity of these samples.
Crime scene investigators should be diligent enough when collecting human hairs as evidence because they are minute, and can be easily tampered with. Many at times, the process of collecting human hair at a crime scene by investigators start with recovering of all the hair present at the crime scene. Tweezers and fingers should be utilized to pick the hairs (Klamberg, 2013). Thereafter, the hairs can be placed in coin envelopes or paper bundles that should be folded and potted in bigger envelopes.
- Glasses
In various crimes such as burglaries, it is often common to find broken glass as well as other items that break and leave different fragments. Such glasses and fragments are essential evidences because they are often closely linked to the crime perpetrators; hence, ease their process of identifying them (Klamberg, 2013). The procedures followed while collecting glasses entails gathering of all the glasses present at different locations within the crime scene and placing them in different containers, which are often labeled differently. Thereafter they are taken to the laboratory for analysis and study.
- Blood stains
Blood also occurs as crucial evidences that should be collected promptly within any given crime scene. This is because; blood can easily identify the genome of the crime perpetrator. The process of collecting blood stains entails picking them using a clean sterile piece of cloth or a gauze pad. They are then left to thoroughly dry, then frozen and taken to the laboratory without any delays (Klamberg, 2013).
Tests used by courts to determine the admissibility of expert witness testimony
Courts can determine the admissibility of expert witness testimony by use of technical and scientific tests. These two methods are relatively similar because they are solely intended at analyzing the witness evidences in order to ascertain the credibility. Their difference however aligns with the fact that scientific tests utilize scientific expertise, whereas technical tests utilize specialized knowledge in assisting the judges to comprehend with the given evidences; hence determines whether the witness was truthful.
Abuse discretion
Definitely, abuse discretion connotes to situations where a trial court gives a wrong or unfair judgment upon the conclusion of hearings in a given case. While it is true that the court has the moral judgment over suspects and victims, they are supposed to give discreet judgment that satisfies the accused and the accuser. However, this is not the case in a number of situations where judges intentionally or unwillingly give wrong judgment regarding a case. Overall, abuse discretion often occurs in situations where the courts do not apply the proper laws (Klamberg, 2013). In addition, a court is deemed to have abused its desertion if its final judgments are based on erroneous evidences. Not giving crucial witnesses a chance to testify also occurs an an abuse of discretion.
Reference
Klamberg, M. (2013). Evidence in international criminal trials: Confronting legal gaps and the reconstruction of disputed events.
