Deck 12: Documentary and Scientific Evidence

Question 1

A motion that is filed prior to opening statements in a trial is known as?

A) Pre-trial motion
B) Motion to suppress
C) Motions to Limine
D) Motions at rest

Answer 1

Motions to Limine

Question 2

Attorneys may file motions throughout the trial, but many motions to exclude are heard:

A) Prior to opening statements
B) Immediately after opening statements
C) During witness testimony
D) Closing arguments

Answer 2

Prior to opening statements

Question 3

Considerations of the admissibility of evidence in a trial occur throughout the:

A) Judicial process
B) Prior to the formal proffering of evidence
C) Immediately following the formal proffering of evidence
D) All of the above

Answer 3

All of the above

Question 4

What rule is a legal mandate that requires the exclusion of evidence collected by law enforcement personnel in a manner which violates provisions found within the Bill of Rights?

A) Motion in limine
B) Exclusionary
C) Objection of admissibility
D) None of the above

Question 5

Which of the following are circumstances, which may allow the introduction of evidence collected by officers without the benefit of a warrant?

A) Plain view
B) Consent
C) Incident to arrest
D) All of the above

Question 6

What may be filed during a trial in the questioning phase of a witness?

A) Motion to suppress
B) Objection
C) Exclusion
D) Motions in limine

Question 7

The proponent of the evidence must demonstrate the:

A) Materiality
B) Competency
C) Relevancy
D) All of the above

Question 8

The admissibility of potentially prejudicial evidence in a trial is determined by the:

A) Defense attorney
B) Prosecutor
C) Appellate judge
D) None of the above

Question 9

A demonstration of sufficient evidence regarding the authenticity and relevance of the proffered item is known as:

A) Ground work
B) Admission
C) Laying the foundation
D) None of the above

Question 10

Fungible evidence includes all but one of the following:

A) Biological
B) Chemical
C) Nuclear
D) Digital

Question 11

Which of the following Court cases allowed that incomplete chains of custody do not necessarily result in the exclusion of such evidence?

A) U.S. v. Ricco
B) Frye v. United States
C) United States v. Miller
D) Old Chief v. United States

Question 12

Documentary evidence includes all but one of the following:

A) Video/audio recordings
B) Unprinted emails
C) Digital media
D) Transcripts

Question 13

Some forms of documentary evidence may also be considered real evidence. Which of the following areas of interest are distinct to considerations of documentary evidence?

A) Parole evidence
B) Best evidence
C) Hearsay evidence
D) All of the above

Question 14

Self-authenticating documents fall into one of the following categories:

A) Business records
B) Newspapers
C) Certified copies of public records
D) All of the above

Question 15

Common tools used in the analysis of indentations, altered or charred documents include all but one of the following:

A) ESDA
B) AFIS
C) Photography
D) Ultraviolet light

Question 16

Latent prints, or those that are accidentally deposited on a surface, come in how many varieties?

A) Two
B) Three
C) Five
D) Six

Question 17

Gunshot wounds are divided into which of the following categories?

A) Contract
B) Close range
C) Distant
D) All of the above

Question 18

The study of the trajectory or a path of a bullet is known as:

A) Class characteristics
B) Striations
C) Ballistics
D) General rifling characteristics

Question 19

The science of generic fingerprinting has been used in countless criminal trials since:

A) 1960s
B) 1970s
C) 1980s
D) 1990s

Question 20

The oldest and least reliable forensic test for DNA is:

A) PCR (Polymerase chain reaction)
B) Restriction fragment length polymorphisms
C) mtDNA
D) Y-Chromosome analysis

Question 21

Police actions may result in situations in which pertinent information is excluded from consideration.

Question 22

Attorneys may file motions throughout the trial, but many motions to exclude are heard immediately after opening statements.

Question 23

The motion to suppress is a legal mandate, which requires the exclusion of evidence collected by law enforcement personnel in a manner, which violates provisions found within the Bill of Rights.

Question 24

Incident to arrest may be introduced in a trial as evidence collected by officers without the benefit of a warrant.

Question 25

Objections are made after the questioning of witnesses.

Question 26

During a criminal trial all relevant evidence is admissible.

Question 27

Laying the foundation is the demonstration of sufficient evidence regarding the authenticity and relevance of the proffered item.

Question 28

The chain of custody is always initiated upon the discovery of physical evidence.

Question 29

Fungible evidence is that evidence which cannot be manipulated or altered.

Question 30

Only that evidence which can be manipulated, altered, substituted or contaminated requires such documentation requires a chain of custody.

Question 31

The best evidence rule provides that secondary evidence, such as copies or facsimiles, are not admissible if the original is available.

Question 32

Expert testimony is not required in all cases in which the evidence proffered is not incontrovertible.

Question 33

Forensic computer science is a new and emerging field.

Question 34

Latent prints, or those that are accidently deposited on a surface, come in three varieties.

Question 35

Expert testimony on DNA has not been accepted in most states throughout the country even through the science itself has been validated.

Question 36

Challenges to the admissibility of a particular item are initiated by the proponent of the exclusion, and may take one of two forms: ___________ or objections.

Question 37

A motion that is filed prior to opening statements in a trial is known as motions in ____________.

Question 38

The ______________ rule is a legal mandate that requires the exclusion of evidence collected by law enforcement personnel in a manner which violates provisions found within the Bill of Rights.

Question 39

____________ are made after the questioning of witnesses.

Question 40

Laying the ____________ is the demonstration of sufficient evidence regarding the authenticity and relevance of the proffered item.

Question 41

The ____________ evidence rule provides that secondary evidence, such as copies or facsimiles are not admissible if the original is available.

Question 42

A ____________ document is any writing, recording, or photograph itself or which is intended to have the same effect.

Question 43

The oldest and most common testimony regarding questioned documents involves the authentication of an individual's _____________.

Question 44

___________ involves the identification of the path of the bullet.

Question 45

Match up the type of evidence to the definitions :

-Ballistic fingerprints

A) Prints collected by arresting officers or jail intake personnel.
B) An impression not visible to the naked eye that is deposited when the ridges make contact with a relatively smooth surface.
C) The unique identifying marks made on bullets and cartridge casings that are particular to an individual firearm.
D) An individually distinctive pattern of certain voice characteristics that is spectrographically produced.
E) A lasting visible print found in wax, tar, clay, oil, grease, or putty.
F) Physical evidence resulting from the transfer of small quantities of material.
G) A volatile impression made in a substance susceptible to decay.
H) A wide array of items defined loosely as any physical evidence that involves theories, empirical analysis, or requires the testimony of a qualified expert.
I) Evidence that can be manipulated, altered, substituted, or contaminated.
J) Concept of the original version of evidence is better than a copy.

Question 46

Match up the type of evidence to the definitions :

-Inked prints

A) Prints collected by arresting officers or jail intake personnel.
B) An impression not visible to the naked eye that is deposited when the ridges make contact with a relatively smooth surface.
C) The unique identifying marks made on bullets and cartridge casings that are particular to an individual firearm.
D) An individually distinctive pattern of certain voice characteristics that is spectrographically produced.
E) A lasting visible print found in wax, tar, clay, oil, grease, or putty.
F) Physical evidence resulting from the transfer of small quantities of material.
G) A volatile impression made in a substance susceptible to decay.
H) A wide array of items defined loosely as any physical evidence that involves theories, empirical analysis, or requires the testimony of a qualified expert.
I) Evidence that can be manipulated, altered, substituted, or contaminated.
J) Concept of the original version of evidence is better than a copy.

Question 47

Match up the type of evidence to the definitions :

-Latent print

A) Prints collected by arresting officers or jail intake personnel.
B) An impression not visible to the naked eye that is deposited when the ridges make contact with a relatively smooth surface.
C) The unique identifying marks made on bullets and cartridge casings that are particular to an individual firearm.
D) An individually distinctive pattern of certain voice characteristics that is spectrographically produced.
E) A lasting visible print found in wax, tar, clay, oil, grease, or putty.
F) Physical evidence resulting from the transfer of small quantities of material.
G) A volatile impression made in a substance susceptible to decay.
H) A wide array of items defined loosely as any physical evidence that involves theories, empirical analysis, or requires the testimony of a qualified expert.
I) Evidence that can be manipulated, altered, substituted, or contaminated.
J) Concept of the original version of evidence is better than a copy.

Question 48

Match up the type of evidence to the definitions :

-Plastic print

A) Prints collected by arresting officers or jail intake personnel.
B) An impression not visible to the naked eye that is deposited when the ridges make contact with a relatively smooth surface.
C) The unique identifying marks made on bullets and cartridge casings that are particular to an individual firearm.
D) An individually distinctive pattern of certain voice characteristics that is spectrographically produced.
E) A lasting visible print found in wax, tar, clay, oil, grease, or putty.
F) Physical evidence resulting from the transfer of small quantities of material.
G) A volatile impression made in a substance susceptible to decay.
H) A wide array of items defined loosely as any physical evidence that involves theories, empirical analysis, or requires the testimony of a qualified expert.
I) Evidence that can be manipulated, altered, substituted, or contaminated.
J) Concept of the original version of evidence is better than a copy.

Question 49

Match up the type of evidence to the definitions :

-Visible print

A) Prints collected by arresting officers or jail intake personnel.
B) An impression not visible to the naked eye that is deposited when the ridges make contact with a relatively smooth surface.
C) The unique identifying marks made on bullets and cartridge casings that are particular to an individual firearm.
D) An individually distinctive pattern of certain voice characteristics that is spectrographically produced.
E) A lasting visible print found in wax, tar, clay, oil, grease, or putty.
F) Physical evidence resulting from the transfer of small quantities of material.
G) A volatile impression made in a substance susceptible to decay.
H) A wide array of items defined loosely as any physical evidence that involves theories, empirical analysis, or requires the testimony of a qualified expert.
I) Evidence that can be manipulated, altered, substituted, or contaminated.
J) Concept of the original version of evidence is better than a copy.

Question 50

Match up the type of evidence to the definitions :

-Voiceprints

A) Prints collected by arresting officers or jail intake personnel.
B) An impression not visible to the naked eye that is deposited when the ridges make contact with a relatively smooth surface.
C) The unique identifying marks made on bullets and cartridge casings that are particular to an individual firearm.
D) An individually distinctive pattern of certain voice characteristics that is spectrographically produced.
E) A lasting visible print found in wax, tar, clay, oil, grease, or putty.
F) Physical evidence resulting from the transfer of small quantities of material.
G) A volatile impression made in a substance susceptible to decay.
H) A wide array of items defined loosely as any physical evidence that involves theories, empirical analysis, or requires the testimony of a qualified expert.
I) Evidence that can be manipulated, altered, substituted, or contaminated.
J) Concept of the original version of evidence is better than a copy.

Question 51

Match up the type of evidence to the definitions :

-Trace evidence

A) Prints collected by arresting officers or jail intake personnel.
B) An impression not visible to the naked eye that is deposited when the ridges make contact with a relatively smooth surface.
C) The unique identifying marks made on bullets and cartridge casings that are particular to an individual firearm.
D) An individually distinctive pattern of certain voice characteristics that is spectrographically produced.
E) A lasting visible print found in wax, tar, clay, oil, grease, or putty.
F) Physical evidence resulting from the transfer of small quantities of material.
G) A volatile impression made in a substance susceptible to decay.
H) A wide array of items defined loosely as any physical evidence that involves theories, empirical analysis, or requires the testimony of a qualified expert.
I) Evidence that can be manipulated, altered, substituted, or contaminated.
J) Concept of the original version of evidence is better than a copy.

Question 52

Match up the type of evidence to the definitions :

-Fungible evidence

A) Prints collected by arresting officers or jail intake personnel.
B) An impression not visible to the naked eye that is deposited when the ridges make contact with a relatively smooth surface.
C) The unique identifying marks made on bullets and cartridge casings that are particular to an individual firearm.
D) An individually distinctive pattern of certain voice characteristics that is spectrographically produced.
E) A lasting visible print found in wax, tar, clay, oil, grease, or putty.
F) Physical evidence resulting from the transfer of small quantities of material.
G) A volatile impression made in a substance susceptible to decay.
H) A wide array of items defined loosely as any physical evidence that involves theories, empirical analysis, or requires the testimony of a qualified expert.
I) Evidence that can be manipulated, altered, substituted, or contaminated.
J) Concept of the original version of evidence is better than a copy.

Question 53

Match up the type of evidence to the definitions :

-Best evidence rule

A) Prints collected by arresting officers or jail intake personnel.
B) An impression not visible to the naked eye that is deposited when the ridges make contact with a relatively smooth surface.
C) The unique identifying marks made on bullets and cartridge casings that are particular to an individual firearm.
D) An individually distinctive pattern of certain voice characteristics that is spectrographically produced.
E) A lasting visible print found in wax, tar, clay, oil, grease, or putty.
F) Physical evidence resulting from the transfer of small quantities of material.
G) A volatile impression made in a substance susceptible to decay.
H) A wide array of items defined loosely as any physical evidence that involves theories, empirical analysis, or requires the testimony of a qualified expert.
I) Evidence that can be manipulated, altered, substituted, or contaminated.
J) Concept of the original version of evidence is better than a copy.

Question 54

Match up the type of evidence to the definitions :

-Scientific evidence

A) Prints collected by arresting officers or jail intake personnel.
B) An impression not visible to the naked eye that is deposited when the ridges make contact with a relatively smooth surface.
C) The unique identifying marks made on bullets and cartridge casings that are particular to an individual firearm.
D) An individually distinctive pattern of certain voice characteristics that is spectrographically produced.
E) A lasting visible print found in wax, tar, clay, oil, grease, or putty.
F) Physical evidence resulting from the transfer of small quantities of material.
G) A volatile impression made in a substance susceptible to decay.
H) A wide array of items defined loosely as any physical evidence that involves theories, empirical analysis, or requires the testimony of a qualified expert.
I) Evidence that can be manipulated, altered, substituted, or contaminated.
J) Concept of the original version of evidence is better than a copy.

Question 55

Motions play a very important role in the criminal court proceedings. Explain what a motion is and discuss the different kinds of motions outlined in the textbook.

Question 56

Write an outline of the process of submitting evidence.

Question 57

What is documentary evidence and what are some of the different types of documentary evidence?

Question 58

Scientific evidence is constantly changing, growing, and being evaluated. Visit the American Academy of Forensic Science website and create a PowerPoint presentation to share with a finding of something unique, up-and-coming, or a change that has occurred.

Question 59

Many different types of scientific evidence were discussed in this chapter. Pick one type of evidence and complete some additional research on this type of evidence. The following are some of the questions that can be addressed through the additional research: Have there been any changes? How is this evidence regarded? How frequently is this type of evidence used? What types of complications surround this type of evidence?