Criminal Investigation Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real DCJS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Criminal Investigation Procedures flashcards as text
When processing a crime scene, what is the primary purpose of establishing a perimeter?
Answer: To preserve evidence integrity and prevent contamination
A crime scene perimeter is established to protect evidence from contamination, unauthorized access, and disturbance.
A witness recants their statement after initially identifying a suspect. What should the investigator do first?
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.
Under Virginia law, which standard must be met before an officer can conduct a Terry stop?
Answer: Reasonable articulable suspicion
A Terry stop requires reasonable articulable suspicion of criminal activity, a lower standard than probable cause.
What is 'chain of custody' in the context of criminal investigation?
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.
When interviewing a juvenile suspect in Virginia, what additional requirement typically applies?
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.
What is the purpose of photographing a crime scene before collecting evidence?
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.
Which type of lineup procedure is generally considered most reliable for eyewitness identification?
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.