DCJS Criminal Investigation Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When processing a crime scene, what is the primary purpose of establishing a perimeter?
- To allow media access for documentation
- To preserve evidence integrity and prevent contamination (Correct answer)
- To give investigators a rest area
- To speed up the investigation timeline
Correct answer: To preserve evidence integrity and prevent contamination
A crime scene perimeter is established to protect evidence from contamination, unauthorized access, and disturbance.
Question 2: A witness recants their statement after initially identifying a suspect. What should the investigator do first?
- Disregard the original statement entirely
- Document the recantation and investigate the reason for the change (Correct answer)
- Arrest the witness for filing a false report
- Close the case immediately
Correct answer: Document the recantation and investigate the reason for the change
Investigators must document recantations and probe the reasons, as witnesses may recant due to fear, coercion, or new information.
Question 3: Under Virginia law, which standard must be met before an officer can conduct a Terry stop?
- Probable cause
- Beyond a reasonable doubt
- Reasonable articulable suspicion (Correct answer)
- Preponderance of the evidence
Correct answer: Reasonable articulable suspicion
A Terry stop requires reasonable articulable suspicion of criminal activity, a lower standard than probable cause.
Question 4: What is 'chain of custody' in the context of criminal investigation?
- The hierarchy of command at a crime scene
- A chronological documentation of evidence handling from collection to court (Correct answer)
- The order in which suspects are questioned
- The sequence of arrest procedures
Correct answer: A chronological documentation of evidence handling from collection to court
Chain of custody is the documented record of every person who handled evidence and every location it was stored, ensuring admissibility.
Question 5: When interviewing a juvenile suspect in Virginia, what additional requirement typically applies?
- The interview must be recorded on video only
- A parent, guardian, or attorney must generally be notified or present (Correct answer)
- The juvenile may not be questioned at all
- The interview must occur at school
Correct answer: A parent, guardian, or attorney must generally be notified or present
Virginia law provides heightened protections for juvenile suspects, generally requiring notification of a parent, guardian, or legal counsel.
Question 6: What is the purpose of photographing a crime scene before collecting evidence?
- To satisfy media requests for images
- To create a permanent record of the original scene conditions (Correct answer)
- To identify all potential suspects
- To allow evidence to be discarded after photos are taken
Correct answer: To create a permanent record of the original scene conditions
Pre-collection photography preserves the original state of the scene, which is critical for court presentation and investigation review.
Question 7: Which type of lineup procedure is generally considered most reliable for eyewitness identification?
- Showup identification at the scene
- Sequential lineup administered by a blind administrator (Correct answer)
- Simultaneous lineup administered by the case detective
- Photo array shown in groups of ten
Correct answer: Sequential lineup administered by a blind administrator
Sequential lineups administered by someone unaware of the suspect's identity reduce suggestibility and relative judgments by witnesses.
DCJS Criminal Investigation Procedures 2
When processing a crime scene, what is the primary purpose of establishing a perimeter?