Intro to Forensic Science: Chapter 2 Test Review

The spread of AIDS and ____ have sensitized the law enforcement community to the potential health hazards that can exist at crime scenes.

Hepatitis

When biological samples of unknown origin are discovered at a crime​ scene, investigators:

Should assume pathogens are present and treat the sample as such.

The advantages of​ tape-recording crime scene notes on an audio tape include all of the following​ EXCEPT:

The notes can be recorded at the crime laboratory instead of at the crime scene.

T or F: Bloodstained materials should be packaged in wrapping​ paper, manila​ envelopes, or paper bags.

True

T or F: It is important to include a brief description of the case history on an evidence submission form.

True

T or F: Ordinary mailing envelopes should not be used as evidence containers.

True

T or F: The first critical step in crime scene investigation is securing and isolating the crime scene.

True

T or F: The investigator should not remove trace evidence from items at the crime​ scene, but instead he or she should send the entire object to the laboratory for processing.

True

T or F: The line and spiral search pattern methods can be performed effectively by one person.

True

Police ____ and the strategic positioning of guards will prohibit unauthorized access to the crime scene.

barricades

____ materials should not be stored in airtight containers as this process could encourage the growth of mold.

blood-stained

T or F: The main objective in collecting and packaging physical evidence is to prevent any change in the evidence between the time it is removed from the crime scene and the time it is received by the crime laboratory.

True

T or F: ​Blood-stained clothing should not be placed in an airtight container.

True

T or F: The main disadvantage of digital photography for recording crime scenes is that digital photographs can be easily manipulated by using computer software.

True

T or F: The manner of collecting and preserving physical evidence at a crime scene is determined by the nature of the evidence.

True

Investigators should collect possible carriers of trace​ evidence, which may​ include:

Vacuum sweepings, Clothing, and Fingernail scrapings.

The evidence collector must take extraordinary care to avoid potential contamination by transferring DNA onto objects of evidential value​ by:

Wearing a face mask.

Which of the following items is likely to contain DNA​ evidence?

a bed sheet

A​ victim's fingernail scrapings would be correctly packaged​ in:

a druggist fold

Officers should attempt to locate tool marks at the point of entry during the investigation of​ a:

burglary

When a vehicle is involved in a​ crime, investigators should pay particular attention to signs of​ a(n) ____ of evidence between the car and the victim.

cross-transfer

Changes to​ evidence, such as​ contamination, can be prevented by handling evidence​ with:

disposable forceps and latex gloves

A ____ sketch is constructed with care and concern for aesthetic appearance and must be drawn to scale.

finished

The most basic methods of crime scene recording do NOT​ include:

infrared analysis

Three basic types of protective clothing recommended for investigators are ___ ​gloves, shoe​ covers, and​ liquid-repellent coveralls.

latex

The search pattern in which one or two investigators start at the boundary at one end of the scene and walk straight across to the other side​ is:

line

Which crime scene search pattern does NOT require more than one​ investigator?

line

In digital​ photography, light is recorded as a specific charge on millions of​ tiny:

pixels

a ____ sketch is a draft representation of all essential information and measurements at a crime scene.

rough

All items of evidence should be placed in ___ containers to prevent damage through contact and​ cross-contamination.

separate

A ____ control consists of uncontaminated surface material close to an area where physical evidence has been deposited.

substrate

The first responding officer must make attempts at the crime scene to detain and​ question:

suspects and witnesses

Physical evidence may be obtained​ from:

the victim, suspect, and crime scene

A properly maintained chain of custody is NOT the responsibility of​ the:

trial judge

T or F: The officer charged with protecting the scene has the authority to exclude fellow officers.

true

The most important prerequisite for photographing a crime scene is for the scene to be in an ____ condition

unaltered

The purpose of the crime scene search is to​ locate:

All physical evidence.

At an arson​ scene, the collection of a substrate control would require the arson investigator​ to:

Collect a piece of the surface material near the​ fire's origin that he or she believes was not exposed to the accelerant.

Crime scene sketches serve a unique purpose in permanently documenting the location of​ evidence:

Collected and removed from the crime scene.

T or F: A rough sketch does not need to accurately depict the dimensions of the crime scene.

False

The collection of standard reference samples at the crime scene is important because​ they:

Permit comparisons to be made with the evidence.

Digital crime scene photographs require special measures to assure their admissibility in court due​ to:

The ability to manipulate the images.

The center of the crime​ scene, which is always included within the crime​ scene's boundary,​ is:

The area where the crime occurred.

The successful outcome of a criminal investigation is almost always directly related​ to:

The manner in which the evidence is collected and preserved.

The presence of blood and semen at crime scenes exposes investigators​ to:

AIDS and Hepatitis B

Police​ barricades, and the strategic positioning of​ guards, will prohibit access to the crime scene​ for:

All unauthorized personnel.

The location of an item of evidence on a crime scene sketch is shown by its distance from points of reference​ that:

Are fixed or immovable.

Which type of evidence must be packaged separately from other​ evidence?

Biological stain evidence, Arson evidence, and DNA-containing evidence

From the choices​ below, select the one correct physical evidence collection procedure.

Bloodstained garments should be packaged separately in paper bags.

If the crime scene includes a dead​ body, the photographer​ should:

Depict injuries and weapons at the crime scene.

The evidence collector is NOT concerned​ with:

Determining the natural variations that exist in physical evidence.

What is a disadvantage to the spiral search​ pattern?

Evidence could be missed.

T or F: A substrate control allows the criminalist to connect evidence found at the scene of a crime to the suspect​ and/or victim.

False

T or F: A warrantless search is never justified.

False

T or F: Evidence cannot be shipped through the mail.

False

T or F: It is not necessary to package evidence in separate containers.

False

T or F: It is permitted for officers at the scene to alter temperature conditions by adjusting​ windows, doors, or the heat or​ air-conditioning.

False

T or F: Mobile crime laboratories are designed to carry out the functions of a chemical laboratory.

False

T or F: Sketching allows the investigator to combine notes and photography.

False

T or F: The chain of custody does not usually play a vital role in a court of law.

False

T or F: The evidence collector is concerned with determining the natural variations that exist in physical evidence.

False

T or F: The first priority of the first officer responding to a crime scene is securing the crime scene.

False

T or F: The first responding officer should not make attempts at the crime scene to detain and question unauthorized personnel.

False

T or F: The investigators should follow a direct path to the center of the scene.

False

T or F: The obligation to maintain the integrity of evidence belongs to the first police officer at the scene only.

False

T or F: When​ possible, it is advisable to have two people supervising and coordinating the collection of evidence.

False

Physical evidence at a​ hit-and-run scene could​ include:

Fiber and tissue, Fabric impressions, and Glass fragments.

The removal of any evidence from a person or from the scene of a crime must be done in conformity with the privileges of which amendment to the​ Constitution?

Fourth

​"The right of the people to be secure in their​ persons, houses,​ papers, and​ effects, against unreasonable searches and​ seizure..." is provided for in the United States by​ the:

Fourth Amendment.

The police are NOT required to obtain a search warrant if they​ are:

In the process of a legal arrest.

Which of the following is a U.S. Supreme Court decision that dealt with the impropriety of the warrantless collection of physical evidence at a homicide​ scene?

Mincey v. Arizona

Videotapes of the crime​ scene:

Must be complemented by a hard copy of notes and separate still photographs.

Charred debris from an arson scene should be

Packaged in airtight glass jars.

Special circumstances at a crime scene may require the use of the following for evidence​ collection:

Particle masks, Biohazard packages, and Coveralls.

The crime scene notes must accurately​ record:

Personnel arrivals and departures from the scene, Descriptions of evidence present at the crime scene, and The tasks assigned each investigator.

CAD programs enhance the ability​ to:

Produce a finished crime scene sketch.

The best way to guarantee that the evidence will withstand inquiries about what happened to it from the time of its finding to its presentation in court is​ to:

Properly record the crime scene, Properly mark evidence for identification, and Properly complete evidence submission forms

Evidence commonly located during a vehicle search includes all of the following​ EXCEPT:

Questioned documents

A rough sketch need NOT include​ a:

Sketch of the​ suspect(s).

Success in the recognition and collection of physical evidence is determined primarily by​ the:

Skill of personnel processing the crime scene.

The conditions at a crime scene can be compromised by all of the following actions​ EXCEPT:

Taking photographs at the crime scene.

The initial survey of the crime scene carried out by the lead investigator is​ called:

The walk-through

T or F: A substrate control ensures that the surface on which a sample has been deposited does not interfere with the interpretation of laboratory tests.

True

T or F: Evidence may be moved only after investigators have documented its location and appearance in​ notes, sketches, and photographs.

True

T or F: Failure to protect a crime scene properly may result in the destruction or altering of evidence.

True

T or F: If evidence is adhering to an object in a precarious​ manner, the investigator should remove the evidence and package the item.

True

T or F: The areas searched by crime scene investigators must include all probable points of entry and exit used by the criminal.

True

T or F: The need to prevent the immediate loss or destruction of evidence is justification for a warrantless search.

True

T or F: The relative evidential value of laboratory test results is almost always dependent on the way the evidence is collected and presented for examination.

True

T or F: The​ victim's clothing and fingernail scrapings are common items of evidence that are sent to the forensic laboratory.

True

T or F: Unauthorized personnel include friends and family of the victim.

True

____ can occur by introducing foreign DNA through coughing or sneezing onto evidence during the collection procedure.

contamination

To formulate a successful strategy for recovering relevant physical evidence at crime​ scenes, the investigator must ultimately rely​ on:

experience

The search pattern that employs two people performing line searches that originate from adjacent corners​ is:

grid

Medical workers should approach the body by​ a(n) ____ route to minimize the possibility of disturbing evidence.

indirect

Which search pattern is most reliant on the boundaries​ established?

line

an accurate ___ of everyone who enters or leaves the scene should be kept.

log

Crime scene ___ must include a detailed written description of the scene with the location of items of physical evidence recovered.

notes

The three methods of crime scene recording are​ photography, sketches, and ____

notes

The integrity of evidence is best maintained when the item is kept in its ____ condition as found at the crime scene.

original

____ evidence is any object that can establish that a crime has been committed or can link a crime and its victim or a crime and its perpetrator.

physical

After providing or obtaining medical assistance for the injured and effecting an arrest of suspects​ (if possible), the first officer arriving at a crime scene should​ immediately:

secure the scene

It is not permissible for officers at the scene​ to:

smoke, eat, and drink

The ____ of DNA can occur when items of evidence are incorrectly placed in contact with each other during packaging.

transfer

The existence of emergency circumstances may justify​ a(n) ___ search

warrantless

In the case of​ homicide, the​ investigator's search will be centered on the ____ and any type of evidence left as a result of contact between the victim and the assailant.

weapon

Which search pattern employs several people moving from the boundary straight toward the center of the scene​ (inward) or from the center straight to the boundary​ (outward)?

wheel

Which crime scene search pattern would absolutely require more than one​ investigator?

zone

Which search pattern would be best suited for a crime scene where many investigators are available to search a large​ area?

zone

All of the following items may be placed in an airtight container​ EXCEPT:

​Blood-stained clothing.

Which statement about​ note-taking is NOT​ true?

​Note-taking is done after all crime scene processing has been completed.

Warrantless searches are permitted under law in all of the following situations​ EXCEPT:

The injury or death of a police officer or law enforcement employee.

The size and location of the crime​ scene, as well as the events that occurred​ there, will​ determine:

The kind of search pattern that is used to locate evidence.

The manner of collecting and preserving physical evidence at a crime scene is determined​ by:

The nature of the evidence.