Question 1

The domestic use of drones, and even their consideration of use, has become the subject of national debate, including filibuster in the U.S.Senate.

Accepted Answer

The statement correctly describes the current state of affairs regarding the use of drones in the United States.

Question 2

PCR-STR procedures for the analysis of DNA evidence allow samples that have degraded or broken down to be analyzed.

Accepted Answer

PCR-STR techniques are highly sensitive and can detect small amounts of degraded or damaged DNA, allowing analysis of samples that may not be viable for other types of testing.

Question 3

The BlackBerry can be loaded with specialized law enforcement programs allowing the user to query the NCIC database as well as other state and motor vehicle department databases.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The BlackBerry can indeed be loaded with specialized law enforcement programs that allow access to various databases including NCIC, state databases, and motor vehicle department databases.

Question 4

DNA collection needs to improve because crime labs are ill-equipped to deal with the influx of DNA samples.

Accepted Answer

With the increase in DNA collection, crime labs are struggling to keep up with the analysis and testing of the samples. This has led to a backlog of untested samples and delays in processing cases, which ultimately slows down the criminal justice system. Therefore, improvements in DNA collection and lab technology are necessary to address this issue.

Question 5

Computers have not yet been used for patrol allocation operations.

Accepted Answer

Computers have been used for patrol allocation operations in various police departments and law enforcement agencies. These systems use algorithms and data analysis to determine optimal patrol routes, times, and areas to increase police presence and reduce crime.

Question 6

Automated fingerprint identification systems began to be developed in the 1980s.

Accepted Answer

Automated fingerprint identification systems did begin to be developed in the 1980s with the introduction of computer technology.

Question 7

There are six classifications of fingerprints.

Accepted Answer

There are three primary classifications of fingerprints: loop, whorl, and arch.

Question 8

ViCAP contains information on unsolved burglaries.

Accepted Answer

ViCAP (Violent Criminal Apprehension Program) focuses on violent crimes such as homicides, sexual assaults, missing persons, and unidentified human remains, rather than unsolved burglaries.

Question 9

Which of the following is not one of the major issues involved in patrol allocation?

Accepted Answer

Determining which officer to assign to each beat is more of a personnel assignment issue rather than a major issue in patrol allocation. Patrol allocation primarily concerns the distribution of patrol resources across areas and times, not the specific assignment of individual officers.

Question 10

Composite sketches of suspects can be prepared by computers without the assistance of a police artist.

Accepted Answer

With the use of advanced software and algorithms, composite sketches can now be prepared by computers without the need for a police artist. These sketches are generated based on various factors such as witness descriptions, facial feature templates, and facial recognition technology.

Question 11

Which of the following is not a nonlethal weapon being used by the police today?

Accepted Answer

While chemical sprays, irritant sprays, and tasers are all nonlethal weapons commonly used by police today, lasers are not typically used as a nonlethal option. Lasers are more commonly used for pointing and targeting purposes, rather than as a form of physical force.

Question 12

Because computer-aided investigation systems have not proven to be very effective in the criminal investigation process, they are being abandoned by many police departments in the United States.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not entirely true. While some police departments may have abandoned computer-aided investigation systems, others still use them and find them to be effective in the criminal investigation process. It ultimately depends on the specific system and how it is implemented within the department.

Question 13

Less-than-lethal technology is the perfect weapon available that will immediately stop unlawful resistance and will cause absolutely no harm to the receiver.

Accepted Answer

Less-than-lethal technology can still cause harm, injury, or even death in certain situations. It should be used with caution and only as a last resort.

Question 14

The latest in night vision technology includes infrared (IR) technology and thermal imaging (TI).This technology requires no light at all to see objects in total darkness.

Accepted Answer

Infrared (IR) technology and thermal imaging (TI) do not require any light to see objects in total darkness.

Question 15

The Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) is maintained by DHS.

Accepted Answer

The Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) is maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Question 16

Age-progression photographs are prepared by forensic artists rather than computers.

Accepted Answer

Age-progression photographs can be prepared by both forensic artists and computer software, with technology increasingly being used to automate and enhance the process.

Question 17

It is impossible to change one's fingerprints.

Accepted Answer

Fingerprints are determined by the patterns of ridges and valleys on the skin, which are formed in the womb and do not change throughout a person's life. This is why fingerprints are often used as a method of identification.

Question 18

Police officers with in-car data access technology make more than eight times as many inquiries on driving records, vehicle registrations, and wanted persons or property per 8-hour shift than do officers without in-car computers.

Accepted Answer

This statement suggests that police officers with in-car data access technology are able to make significantly more inquiries than officers without such technology, which is supported by the phrase "more than eight times as many."

Question 19

Mitochondrial DNA is more useful for identification than nuclear DNA.

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is less variable and provides information about maternal lineage only, whereas nuclear DNA is unique to each individual (except identical twins) and provides a more comprehensive genetic profile, making it more useful for identification purposes.

Question 20

Lasers can be used to lift fingerprints from surfaces that often defy traditional powder or chemical techniques, including glass, paper, cardboard, rubber, wood, plastic, leather, and even human skin.

Accepted Answer

Lasers can be used to lift fingerprints from various surfaces that cannot be easily done with traditional powder or chemical methods.

Quiz 14: Computers, Technology, and Criminalistics in Policing