DCJS DCJS Crime Scene Management & Evidence Handling Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the FIRST priority upon arriving at any crime scene?
- Collecting all visible evidence immediately
- Photographing the scene before anything changes
- Ensuring the safety of the officer and any persons present (Correct answer)
- Establishing the perimeter with crime scene tape
Correct answer: Ensuring the safety of the officer and any persons present
Officer and bystander safety always takes precedence before any investigative actions are taken at a crime scene.
Question 2: The first responding officer at a crime scene is primarily responsible for:
- Conducting detailed forensic analysis of physical evidence
- Interviewing all witnesses before detectives arrive
- Securing and protecting the scene from contamination (Correct answer)
- Issuing a press statement to media at the scene
Correct answer: Securing and protecting the scene from contamination
The first responder's core duty is to secure the scene so evidence integrity is preserved for investigators.
Question 3: A crime scene perimeter should be established:
- Only after the full investigation is complete
- As large as reasonably necessary to protect all potential evidence (Correct answer)
- As small as possible to avoid using too much tape
- Only by supervisors or detectives, not patrol officers
Correct answer: As large as reasonably necessary to protect all potential evidence
A larger perimeter reduces the chance of inadvertently excluding key evidence areas and can always be tightened later.
Question 4: Which action by a first responder CONTAMINATES a crime scene?
- Wearing latex gloves throughout the response
- Photographing evidence before touching it
- Walking through the scene without gloves or protective footwear (Correct answer)
- Documenting the exact time of arrival
Correct answer: Walking through the scene without gloves or protective footwear
Walking through a scene without protective equipment can transfer trace evidence and compromise the scene's integrity.
Question 5: When securing a crime scene, officers must document:
- Only items they personally believe are relevant evidence
- Arrival time, initial observations, and the identity of all persons who entered the scene (Correct answer)
- Only the actions and statements of suspects present
- Media inquiries received at the outer perimeter
Correct answer: Arrival time, initial observations, and the identity of all persons who entered the scene
Documenting arrival time, observations, and scene access log creates a foundation for the chain of custody and prosecution.
Question 6: Once a crime scene perimeter is established, access should be controlled by:
- The public information officer assigned to the scene
- Any available officer regardless of assignment
- The officer or personnel specifically designated as scene security (Correct answer)
- The detective assigned to the case, but only after arrival
Correct answer: The officer or personnel specifically designated as scene security
A designated scene security officer logs every entry and exit to maintain accountability and protect the chain of custody.
DCJS DCJS Crime Scene Management & Evidence Handling Questions and Answers 1
What is the FIRST priority upon arriving at any crime scene?