Deck 13: Physical Evidence

Question 1

When an officer leaves an item with a laboratory expert,the officer should thoroughly examine the object once it is returned to his or her possession.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

An item is rarely admitted into evidence if it is not in exactly the same condition as when it was first found at the crime scene.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The chain of possession traces who had control over a piece of physical evidence from when it was first found until its introduction at trial.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

It is best not to place a weapon in a container because the jurors should be able to touch and feel it.

Question 5

Evidence is only admitted at trial if the judge accepts it as evidence and opposing counsel does not object or the objection is overruled.

Question 6

Evidence is rarely mailed to a crime laboratory for scientific investigation; the evidence is usually driven to the lab to ensure its integrity.

Question 7

The officer must be positive that the piece of evidence used at trial is the one originally found at the crime scene in order for the item to be used against the defendant.

Question 8

The best place to find physical evidence is usually the area surrounding the crime scene.

Question 9

Complete control over a piece of evidence does not mean that the officer has to carry the object with him at all times.

Question 10

The judge often decides the sequence of witnesses called by both the prosecution and the defense.

Question 11

If an item of evidence is in the possession of a police officer,but must be examined by an investigator,it is possible for the officer to maintain complete control as long as he or she is informed as to where the object will be taken,by whom,and for what exact purpose.

Question 12

The officer first on the scene usually testifies to any evidence found,because he or she would know whether the object was part of the crime scene.

Question 13

Narcotics may be shipped by mail if they meet federal shipping guidelines and are sent by by a method that requires a recipient's signature.

Question 14

Even though it may be one of the best ways to identify an object introduced into evidence,it is impractical for an officer to keep an object in his or her exclusive control.

Question 15

Proof of an uninterrupted chain of custody is usually only important if the evidence is unique.

Question 16

The authentication process usually takes place in the judge's chambers.

Question 17

In a criminal trial,the burden of authentication normally falls on the police officer because he or she can connect the object to the crime and the defendant.

Question 18

Once an item of evidence has been analyzed,proof of tampering,contamination,or substitution does not have to be presented.

Question 19

An evidence tag is only placed on evidence which has to go to the laboratory for forensic testing.

Question 20

Instrumentalities of a crime are objects that the defendant used to commit the crime.

Question 21

What is the first thing a police officer should do when he or she arrives at a crime scene?

A)Determine who should be interviewed.
B)Get onlookers out of the area.
C)Close-off the crime scene.
D)Determine if anyone is injured or needs medical treatment.

Question 22

An officer should distinctively mark a piece of evidence at the crime laboratory before it undergoes any testing.

Question 23

When a crime scene is visited by the jury,it is required that the defendant be present at the viewing.

Question 24

The defense's exhibits are usually marked by:

A)numbers.
B)letters.
C)a brief description of the item,usually limited to three words.
D)defendant's name.

Question 25

An officer should usually mark an item of evidence by placing his name,the date,the defendant's name,and the crime committed on the item.

Question 26

Whose name is least likely to be found on the log attached to the physical item found at a crime scene?

A)The evidence locker custodian.
B)The booking officer.
C)The laboratory technician.
D)The judge.

Question 27

The jurors are rarely allowed to hold and inspect physical evidence.

Question 28

Who can collect and process items found at a crime scene?

A)An investigator
B)A passerby
C)The judge
D)The defense attorney

Question 29

Which of the following is not an example of demonstrative evidence?

A)A miniature model of a car.
B)A computer reproduction of a car accident.
C)A broken rear-view mirror.
D)A car of similar make and model that was totaled in a car accident.

Question 30

Which of the following is not an appropriate container to store a piece of evidence?

A)A paper bag
B)A plastic bag
C)A large see-through box
D)The glove box of the police car

Question 31

If the jury takes a "field trip" to the crime scene,the defendant must be present.

Question 32

Of the following information,what is not normally found on an evidence tag?

A)The name of the victim.
B)The name of the prosecutor.
C)The name of the defendant.
D)The signature of the officer who found the item.

Question 33

The terms "physical evidence" and "demonstrative evidence" are often used interchangeably.

Question 34

What might be an acceptable place for an officer to store a piece of evidence so that it remains under his or her exclusive control?

A)His or her locked desk drawer.
B)A spouse's locked cabinet.
C)The officer's limited access locker at the police station.
D)His or her car.

Question 35

An item of evidence will rarely be admitted if more than ten people have handled the item from when it was first found at the crime scene.

Question 36

Under FRE Rule 1001(2),the term "photographs" is limited to still photographs and does not encompass videos and motion pictures.

Question 37

Which of the following is an example of self-authenticating evidence?

A)A newspaper
B)A diary entry
C)A certified copy of a public record
D)A magazine

Question 38

Which of the following is a way to authenticate a particular item as physical evidence?

A)Voice identification from an answering machine.
B)Testimony of a witness who has first-hand knowledge.
C)An expert who can compare the item to another item,already authenticated.
D)Testimony that the object is what it is claimed to be.

Question 39

Relevant evidence may be excluded.

Question 40

An extremely gory object may not be admitted because of its prejudicial nature,even though the object may be relevant to the case.

Question 41

What determines if an item is relevant as physical evidence?

Question 42

When is a crime scene video generally admitted? When is it not?

Question 43

Generally speaking,what are the reasons for excluding a gruesome photo from coming into evidence at trial?

Question 44

List three reasons why it is impractical for an officer to have exclusive control of an item of physical evidence from its discovery at the crime scene to its admission in court.

Question 45

If relevant,crime scene videos are generally admitted for all of the following reasons:

A)To show motive of defendant
B)To show premeditation
C)To show atrociousness of crime
D)All of the above

Question 46

All of the following may appear on a property control officer's log except:

A)The name of the officer who entered the evidence storage area.
B)The name of the officer who retrieved a particular item.
C)The location of the item in the storage area.
D)The name of the judge assigned to the case.

Question 47

Whose testimony is most likely to satisfy the burden of authenticating physical evidence in a criminal trial?

A)The police officer
B)The prosecutor
C)The laboratory technician
D)The judge

Question 48

What are the advantages of having two or more officers present when the physical evidence is collected and marked for identification?

Question 49

Which of the following is not a typical chain of custody?

A)Collecting officer,transport officer,lab professional,officer who brings item to court.
B)Collecting officer,lab professional,collecting officer.
C)Collecting officer,transport officer,lab professional,defendant,officer who brings item to court.
D)Collecting officer,lab professional,officer who brings the item to court.

Question 50

What are the first three things an officer would normally do upon arriving at a crime scene?

Question 51

Which jurisdiction imposes the greatest burden on the prosecution before a gruesome photograph can be admitted into evidence?

A)Utah
B)California
C)Alabama
D)New York

Question 52

What is the typical chain of custody from first observance to introduction at trial?

Question 53

What is the reason for accounting for an object's whereabouts from first discovery to trial?

A)In order to establish that the evidence was not planted.
B)In order to establish that the object was used by the defendant to commit the crime.
C)In order to establish that the object was not altered or tampered with.
D)So that the defendant cannot gain access to it.

Question 54

What are the four general categories of physical evidence?

Question 55

List five objections that may be used by a defense attorney in order to prevent an item from being admitted as evidence.

Question 56

Today,which of the following does the prosecution rely most heavily upon in proving a defendant's guilt?

A)The "story."
B)The defendant's reputation.
C)The scientific results of evidence,such as the type of blood found on a weapon.
D)The defendant's character.

Question 57

Briefly explain the process of marking an item of evidence for identification purposes.

Question 58

Why is it best to have the least number of people possible come into contact with a piece of evidence? Give both reasons.

Question 59

List three procedures that may be used by a police officer to positively identify an object,and therefore,ensure its admissibility at trial?