Question 1

Which of the following is true regarding crime scene videos?

Accepted Answer

Crime scene videos serve as a crucial tool for understanding the nature and extent of a crime scene, especially when physical access is not possible. They often capture more than just the scene itself, including conversations and potential errors made by those within the scene, making them a comprehensive resource for investigation. Their availability can vary, making them sporadically accessible in some cases.

Question 2

In a post-conviction review case, what documentation should be available for a crime scene analysis?

Accepted Answer

In a post-conviction review case, all documentation related to the crime scene analysis is crucial. This includes suspect arrest warrants, search warrants and their documentation, and court decisions. Each of these documents can provide essential information for reviewing the case, such as the basis for suspect identification, the legality and scope of evidence collection, and the judicial outcomes based on the presented evidence.

Question 3

The decision to construct a TA should only be made after which of the following has taken place?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Wound patterns are not a form of documentary evidence as they cannot be recorded and stored in the same manner as financial records, phone records, and video recordings.

Question 5

All coroners are licensed physicians.

Accepted Answer

Although some coroners may be licensed physicians, not all of them are required to be. In some jurisdictions, coroners can be elected officials or have other qualifications such as being a psychologist or forensic scientist.

Question 6

Which of the following is not an investigative or forensic protocol discussed in the text?

Accepted Answer

All of the other options, crime scene protocol, medicolegal investigative protocol, and forensic victimology, are discussed as investigative or forensic protocols in the text. Incident protocol is not mentioned.

Question 7

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that medical examiners and coroners investigate__________% of the roughly 2 million deaths that occur in the United States each year.

Accepted Answer

Medical examiners and coroners investigate approximately 20% of the deaths in the United States each year.

Question 8

__________protocols include toxicological reports, wound pattern analysis reports, sexual assault protocols/reports, and autopsy protocol/reports.

Accepted Answer

Medicolegal investigation protocols include toxicological reports, wound pattern analysis reports, sexual assault protocols/reports, and autopsy protocol/reports, as they are directly related to the legal aspects of medicine and the application of medical knowledge to legal issues.

Question 9

__________refers to a phenomenon that occurs when investigators, detectives, crime scene personnel, or others somehow involved with an investigation come up with theories uninformed by the facts.

Accepted Answer

A priori investigative bias refers to the situation where individuals involved in an investigation form theories or conclusions without basing them on actual evidence or facts. This type of bias can lead to incorrect assumptions or overlook crucial evidence because the investigation is guided by preconceived notions rather than objective analysis.

Question 10

Crime scene analysis is synonymous with crime scene processing.

Accepted Answer

Crime scene analysis involves examining the scene to develop theories about the crime, while crime scene processing is the physical act of collecting evidence from the scene.

Question 11

Crime scene analysis occurs subsequent to crime reconstruction.

Accepted Answer

Crime scene analysis is the process of examining a crime scene to collect evidence and reconstruct the events that occurred. Crime reconstruction, on the other hand, is the process of using evidence to determine what happened at a crime scene. Therefore, crime scene analysis occurs subsequent to crime reconstruction.

Question 12

The purpose of a forensic assessment is to help preserve the criminal profiler's objectivity by protecting him or her from investigative and forensic assumptions or premature theories.

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a forensic assessment is to help separate the profiler's subjective opinions from objective evidence, and to prevent them from jumping to conclusions or making assumptions based on incomplete or biased information.

Question 13

A threshold assessment is informed by complete access to all crime scene documentation, victim information, and the full analysis and interpretation of physical evidence by the necessary forensic scientists.

Accepted Answer

A threshold assessment is an initial evaluation based on available information, but it may not include complete access to all documentation or full analysis by forensic scientists.

Question 14

__________translates as "the body of the crime."

Accepted Answer

"Corpus Delicti" translates to "the body of the crime," and refers to the physical evidence that proves a crime has occurred. "Argument ad Hominem" is a type of fallacious argument, and "Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc" is a logical fallacy that assumes causation based on temporal sequence alone. Therefore, the correct answer is B, Corpus Delicti.

Question 15

Which of the following is conclusive evidence for individuating and identifying a suspect?

Accepted Answer

Fingerprints, bite-mark evidence, and DNA are all forms of forensic evidence used to individuate and identify suspects in criminal investigations. Each type has its own level of reliability and acceptance in the forensic community, with DNA being the most conclusive due to its unique and individual characteristics. Fingerprints and bite-mark evidence, while sometimes contested, are also used for identification purposes.

Question 16

The overall level of forensic science knowledge and training within the judicial and law- enforcement community is relatively high.

Accepted Answer

Despite advancements in forensic science, there remains a significant gap in the overall level of knowledge and training within the judicial and law enforcement communities. Many professionals in these fields lack comprehensive training in the latest forensic techniques and the interpretation of forensic evidence, leading to challenges in effectively utilizing such evidence in investigations and trials.

Question 17

Veteran police officers tend to write the most detailed and consequently most useful reports.

Accepted Answer

While veteran police officers have a wealth of experience, report quality depends on individual skills, training, and diligence, not just years of service. Newer officers may also write detailed and useful reports, especially if they have received recent and comprehensive training in report writing.

Question 18

A threshold assessment should include firm conclusions or opinions.

Accepted Answer

A threshold assessment should provide an objective evaluation of data and evidence, but should not include firm conclusions or opinions. The purpose of the assessment is to determine whether a particular threshold has been met, not to express an opinion on the policy or decision being evaluated.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of signature behavior?

Accepted Answer

Signature behaviors are distinctive acts that fulfill the offender's emotional or psychological needs, rather than practical purposes related to the crime. Slashing the victim's clothing in the closet is an example of such behavior, as it is not necessary for committing the crime but may serve a psychological need for the offender.

Question 20

Which of the following assessments is not part of crime scene analysis?

Accepted Answer

Offender characteristics are not directly part of crime scene analysis. Crime scene analysis focuses on understanding the crime through the physical evidence, victimology, and the scene itself, rather than profiling or analyzing the offender, which is a separate process.

Quiz 6: An Introduction to Crime Scene Analysis