Criminal Evidence Ch 13

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

A broken rear-view mirror.

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

Collecting officer, transport officer, lab professional, defendant, officer who brings item to court.

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.

FALSE

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

FALSE

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

FALSE

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.

FALSE

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

FALSE

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

FALSE

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

FALSE

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

FALSE

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

TRUE

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

TRUE

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.

TRUE

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.

TRUE

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

TRUE

Relevant evidence may be excluded.

TRUE

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.

TRUE

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

TRUE

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

TRUE

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

Testimony that the object is what it is claimed to be.

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

The glove box of the police car.

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

The judge.