Crime Scene Documentation and Reporting Flashcards
7 cards from real CSI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Crime Scene Documentation and Reporting flashcards as text
What is the correct order for documenting a crime scene using photography?
Answer: Overview, mid-range, close-up
Documentation starts with overview shots to establish context, followed by mid-range shots, and finally close-up shots of specific evidence.
When writing a crime scene report, passive voice is often preferred because it:
Answer: Removes investigator bias by focusing on actions rather than actors
Passive voice ('the weapon was found') focuses on observations and actions rather than attributing actions to individuals, reducing apparent bias.
A crime scene sketch must include a north arrow primarily to:
Answer: Provide orientation so the sketch can be interpreted relative to compass directions
A north arrow provides geographic orientation, allowing anyone reading the sketch to understand the scene's layout relative to cardinal directions.
What does the term 'chain of custody' refer to in crime scene documentation?
Answer: The chronological record of who collected, handled, and transferred evidence
Chain of custody is the documented chronological record tracking every person who handled each piece of evidence from collection through court presentation.
Which of the following should NOT be included in the factual portion of a crime scene report?
Answer: Investigator's theory about how the crime occurred
Theories and conclusions belong in the opinion/analysis section; the factual portion must contain only objective, observable information.
When is a crime scene log (scene entry log) typically started?
Answer: When the first responder arrives and secures the scene
The scene entry log begins when the first responder arrives, recording every person who enters or exits to maintain scene integrity documentation.
In crime scene photography, a scale marker (ruler) placed next to evidence serves to:
Answer: Provide a size reference for accurate measurements in photos
A scale marker provides a known measurement reference in the photograph, allowing accurate size estimation of the evidence when the image is reviewed later.