A cell phone is collected at a crime scene and you are tasked with determining the workflow for the phone to obtain fingerprints, DNA, and to recover data from the device. Which is the most common sequence of events to maximize evidence recovery when all three are equally needed to advance the investigation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Processing for fingerprints first minimizes the risk of smudging or destroying potential prints during other examination steps. Swabbing for DNA follows, as this process can also potentially interfere with fingerprint evidence. Downloading data is done last as it does not physically alter the evidence.

A Cell Phone Is Collected at a Crime Scene and You