Deck 2: The Crime Scene

Question 1

Which search pattern would be best suited for a crime scene where many investigators are available to search a large area?

A) Spiral
B) Grid
C) Line
D) Zone

Answer 1

D

Question 2

After providing or obtaining medical assistance for the injured and effecting an arrest of suspects (if possible),the first officer arriving at a crime scene should immediately:

A) Search for evidence.
B) Secure the scene.
C) Make a rough sketch of the scene.
D) Take notes.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

CAD programs enhance the ability to:

A) Take complete notes.
B) Develop photographs.
C) Edit video tape.
D) Produce a finished crime scene sketch.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The conditions at a crime scene can be compromised by all of the following actions EXCEPT:

A) Taking photographs at the crime scene
B) Adjusting the temperature of the crime scene
C) Eating food at the crime scene
D) Turning a faucet on at the crime scene

Question 5

Videotapes of the crime scene:

A) Can be used in place of notes and photographs.
B) Must be complemented by a hard copy of notes and separate still photographs.
C) Are required in all jurisdictions.
D) Are not admissible in court due to the poor image quality.

Question 6

The first responding officer must make attempts at the crime scene to detain and question:

A) Witnesses.
B) Unauthorized personnel.
C) Suspects.
D) Both A and C

Question 7

The crime scene notes must accurately record:

A) The tasks assigned each investigator.
B) Personnel arrivals and departures from the scene.
C) Descriptions of evidence present at the crime scene.
D) All of the above

Question 8

Crime scene sketches serve a unique purpose in permanently documenting the location of evidence:

A) Processed at the crime scene.
B) Containing drug evidence.
C) Not documented in photographs.
D) Collected and removed from the crime scene.

Question 9

The size and location of the crime scene,as well as the events that occurred there,will determine:

A) The kind of evidence that will be missing.
B) The kind of search pattern that is used to locate evidence.
C) The amount of care that must be taken during the crime scene search.
D) The time at which the crime scene is searched.

Question 10

The advantages of tape-recording crime scene notes on an audio tape include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) The notes can be recorded at the crime laboratory instead of at the crime scene.
B) The investigator's hands are free to carry out other tasks while recording the notes.
C) Audio tapes have the added security feature of preventing erasure or taping over if the security tab on the tape.
D) The notes are recording as the observations are made.

Question 11

Physical evidence at a hit-and-run scene could include:

A) Fiber and tissue.
B) Glass fragments.
C) Fabric impressions.
D) All of the above

Question 12

Which statement about note-taking is NOT true?

A) The individual who packaged and marked items of evidence should be recorded.
B) Note-taking is done after all crime scene processing has been completed.
C) Notes should include location of physical evidence recovered.
D) Disposition of items after collection must be included.

Question 13

Which crime scene search pattern would absolutely require more than one investigator?

A) Spiral
B) Line
C) Grid
D) Zone

Question 14

Police barricades,and the strategic positioning of guards,will prohibit access to the crime scene for:

A) Civilians only.
B) Civilians and media personnel.
C) All law enforcement personnel.
D) All unauthorized personnel.

Question 15

The purpose of the crime scene search is to locate:

A) DNA-containing evidence.
B) All physical evidence.
C) Fingerprint evidence.
D) Bloodstain patterns.

Question 16

If the crime scene includes a dead body,the photographer should:

A) Determine the time of death.
B) Attempt to identify the victim.
C) Document all forensic personnel at crime scene.
D) Depict injuries and weapons at scene.

Question 17

In digital photography,light is recorded as a specific charge on millions of tiny:

A) Silver halide grains.
B) Charge coupled devices.
C) Semi-conductors.
D) Pixels.

Question 18

The most basic methods of crime scene recording do NOT include:

A) Note-taking.
B) Photographs.
C) Narrated videotapes.
D) Infrared analysis.

Question 19

A rough sketch need NOT include a:

A) Sketch of the suspect(s).
B) Compass heading designating north.
C) Date, location, and time of the incident.
D) Location of all recovered physical evidence.

Question 20

Digital crime scene photographs require special measures to assure their admissibility in court due to:

A) Their poor quality.
B) The inability to manipulate the images.
C) The ability to manipulate the images.
D) All of the above

Question 21

When biological samples of unknown origin are discovered at a crime scene,investigators:

A) Should assume no pathogens are present and treat the samples as such.
B) Should allow only trained hazardous material teams to handle the evidence.
C) Should assume pathogens are present and treat the sample as such.
D) Should package them in plastic bags.

Question 22

A victim's fingernail scrapings would be correctly packaged in:

A) A druggist fold.
B) A plastic Ziploc® bag.
C) Sealed, airtight containers.
D) Both B and C

Question 23

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons,houses,papers,and effects,against unreasonable searches and seizure…" is provided for in the United States by the:

A) Frye standard.
B) Fourth Amendment.
C) Declaration of Independence.
D) Second Amendment.

Question 24

The presence of blood and semen at crime scenes exposes investigators to:

A) Hepatitis B.
B) AIDS.
C) Both A and B
D) Neither A nor B

Question 25

The collection of standard reference samples at the crime scene is important because they:

A) Permit comparisons to be made with the evidence.
B) Are obtained only from suspects in cases of violent assault.
C) Serve as a source of extra test material if required in the crime lab.
D) All of the above

Question 26

Which of the following is U.S.Supreme Court decision which dealt with the impropriety of the warrantless collection of physical evidence at a homicide scene?

A) Mapp v. U.S.
B) Frye v. U.S.
C) People v. Wilkens
D) Mincey v. Arizona

Question 27

Changes to evidence,such as contamination,can be prevented by handling evidence with:

A) Latex gloves.
B) Dry, bare hands.
C) Disposable forceps.
D) Both A and C

Question 28

Special circumstances at a crime scene may require the use of the following for evidence collection,EXCEPT:

A) Particle masks.
B) Biohazard packages.
C) Coveralls.
D) All of the above may be required.

Question 29

Investigators should collect possible carriers of trace evidence which may include:

A) Vacuum sweepings.
B) Clothing.
C) Fingernail scrapings.
D) All of the above

Question 30

Success in the recognition and collection of physical evidence is determined primarily by the:

A) Notoriety of the case.
B) Time available to the evidence collectors.
C) Skill of personnel processing the crime scene.
D) Type of evidence involved.

Question 31

A properly maintained chain of custody is NOT the responsibility of the:

A) Crime scene processor.
B) Evidence clerk.
C) Forensic technician.
D) Trial judge.

Question 32

The evidence collector must take extraordinary care to avoid potential contamination by transferring DNA onto objects of evidential value by:

A) Reusing shoe covers.
B) Packaging items containing potential DNA evidence in airtight bags.
C) Wearing a face mask.
D) Using the same pair of forceps to collect all evidence at the crime scene.

Question 33

Which type of evidence must be packaged separately from other evidence?

A) Biological stain evidence
B) DNA-containing evidence
C) Arson evidence
D) All of the above

Question 34

Charred debris from an arson scene should be:

A) Placed together with similar items in a paper bag.
B) Placed in Ziploc® bags.
C) Packaged in airtight glass jars.
D) Aired out before packing in plastic wrap.

Question 35

The best way to guarantee that the evidence will withstand inquiries about what happened to it from the time of its finding to its presentation in court is to:

A) Properly record the crime scene.
B) Properly mark evidence for identification.
C) Properly complete evidence submission forms.
D) All of the above

Question 36

The police are NOT required to obtain a search warrant if they are:

A) Unable to locate a judge to issue a warrant.
B) Certain their suspect is guilty.
C) In the process of a legal arrest.
D) Investigating the murder of a fellow officer.

Question 37

The removal of any evidence from a person or from the scene of a crime must be done in conformity with the privileges of which amendment to the Constitution?

A) Sixth
B) Fourth
C) Fifth
D) First

Question 38

Which of the following items is likely to contain DNA evidence?

A) A self-adhesive mailing stamp
B) A bed sheet
C) A blue rug fiber
D) A glass fragment

Question 39

The successful outcome of a criminal investigation is almost always directly related to:

A) The manner in which the evidence is collected and preserved.
B) The number of people employed in the crime lab.
C) The volume of the physical evidence collected.
D) Whether the crime is considered high-profile.

Question 40

From the choices below,select the one correct physical evidence collection procedure.

A) Bloodstained garments should be packaged separately in paper bags.
B) Items recovered from scene of a murder should be sent along with the body to the Medical Examiner.
C) All items collected from the same grid area should be packaged together.
D) The victim's clothing should be obtained at the crime scene and vacuumed to obtain trace evidence.

Question 41

Officers should attempt to locate tool marks at the point of entry during the investigation of a:

A) Homicide.
B) Burglary.
C) Hit and run.
D) Assault.

Question 42

The conditions at a crime scene can be compromised by all of the following actions EXCEPT:

A) Taking photographs at the crime scene.
B) Eating food at the crime scene.
C) Turning on a faucet on the crime scene.
D) Smoking at the crime scene.

Question 43

All of the following items may be placed in an airtight container EXCEPT:

A) Charred debris recovered from a fire.
B) Blood-stained clothing.
C) Glass.
D) Hairs and fibers.

Question 44

The search pattern that employs two people performing line searches that originate from adjacent corners is:

A) Line.
B) Grid.
C) Spiral.
D) Wheel.

Question 45

The search pattern in which one or two investigators start at the boundary at one end of the scene and walk straight across to the other side is:

A) Line.
B) Grid.
C) Quadrant.
D) Wheel.

Question 46

At an arson scene,the collection of a substrate control would require the arson investigator to:

A) Collect a sample from the center of a potential accelerant stain.
B) Collect samples of surface material from areas far away from the fire's origin.
C) Collect a piece of the surface material near the fire's origin that he or she believes was not exposed to the accelerant.
D) Collect a sample of the vapors at the fire origin.

Question 47

Which search pattern employs several people moving from the boundary straight toward the center of the scene (inward)or from the center straight to the boundary (outward)?

A) Quadrant
B) Grid
C) Spiral
D) Wheel

Question 48

The location of an item of evidence on a crime scene sketch is shown by its distance from points of reference that:

A) Are fixed or immovable.
B) Are within ten feet of the item.
C) Are located outside the boundaries of the crime scene.
D) Can be transported to the crime laboratory.

Question 49

It is permissible for officers at the scene to:

A) Eat.
B) Drink.
C) Smoke.
D) None of the above

Question 50

What is a disadvantage to the spiral search pattern?

A) Evidence could be missed.
B) It requires several investigators.
C) It does not work for outdoors scenes.
D) It is dependent on the boundaries of the scene.

Question 51

Physical evidence may be obtained from:

A) The crime scene.
B) The victim.
C) The suspect.
D) All of the above

Question 52

Which crime scene search pattern does NOT require more than one investigator?

A) Wheel
B) Line
C) Grid
D) Zone

Question 53

To formulate a successful strategy for recovering relevant physical evidence at crime scenes,the investigator must ultimately rely on:

A) Reference material.
B) Experience.
C) Training.
D) The lead investigator.

Question 54

Evidence commonly located during a vehicle search includes all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Questioned documents.
B) Fibers.
C) Paint evidence.
D) Broken glass.

Question 55

The evidence collector is NOT concerned with:

A) Maintaining the chain of custody.
B) Utilizing the proper packaging material for evidence.
C) Labeling evidence.
D) Determining the natural variations that exist in physical evidence.

Question 56

The manner of collecting and preserving physical evidence at a crime scene is determined by:

A) The circumstances of the crime.
B) The importance of the case.
C) The number of evidence collectors present at the crime scene.
D) The nature of the evidence.

Question 57

The center of the crime scene,which is always included within the crime scene's boundary,is:

A) The area where the first responder entered the scene.
B) The area where the witnesses were located.
C) The area where the command center will be located.
D) The area where the crime occurred.

Question 58

The initial survey of the crime scene carried out by the lead investigator is called:

A) The spiral search.
B) The initial survey.
C) The walk-through.
D) The crime scene search.

Question 59

Which search pattern is most reliant on the boundaries established?

A) Line
B) Spiral
C) Wheel
D) Quadrant

Question 60

Warrantless searches are permitted under law in all of the following situations EXCEPT:

A) The existence of emergency circumstances.
B) The injury or death of a police officer or law enforcement employee.
C) The consent of the parties involved.
D) The need to prevent the immediate loss of evidence.

Question 61

The relative evidential value of laboratory test results is almost always dependent on the way the evidence is collected and presented for examination.

Question 62

The first critical step in crime scene investigation is securing and isolating the crime scene.

Question 63

The obligation to maintain the integrity of evidence belongs to the first police officer at the scene only.

Question 64

It is not necessary to package evidence in separate containers.

Question 65

The chain of custody does not usually play a vital role in a court of law.

Question 66

It is important to include a brief description of the case history on an evidence submission form.

Question 67

The main objective in collecting and packaging physical evidence is to prevent any change in the evidence between the time it is removed from the crime scene and the time it is received by the crime laboratory.

Question 68

The victim's clothing and fingernail scrapings are common items of evidence that are sent to the forensic laboratory.

Question 69

The evidence collector is concerned with determining the natural variations that exist in physical evidence.

Question 70

A substrate control ensures that the surface on which a sample has been deposited does not interfere with the interpretation of laboratory tests.

Question 71

A rough sketch does not need to accurately depict the dimensions of the crime scene.

Question 72

Bloodstained materials should be packaged in wrapping paper,manila envelopes,or paper bags.

Question 73

A substrate control allows the criminalist to connect evidence found at the scene of a crime to the suspect and/or victim.

Question 74

Blood-stained clothing should not be placed in an airtight container.

Question 75

Ordinary mailing envelopes should not be used as evidence containers.

Question 76

The areas searched by crime scene investigators must include all probable points of entry and exit used by the criminal.

Question 77

The line and spiral search pattern methods can be performed effectively by one person.

Question 78

A warrantless search is never justified.

Question 79

The need to prevent the immediate loss or destruction of evidence is justification for a warrantless search.

Question 80

Success in the recognition and collection of physical evidence is determined primarily by the:

A) Notoriety of the case.
B) Time available to the evidence collectors.
C) Skill of personnel processing the crime scene.
D) Type of evidence involved.