Crime Scene Processing Flashcards
7 cards from real ETC 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 Processing flashcards as text
Which of the following chain of custody documentation errors could render evidence inadmissible in court?
Answer: A gap in custody records where the evidence is unaccounted for
An unaccounted gap in chain of custody raises the possibility of tampering, which can lead a court to exclude the evidence.
The 'strip search' (or grid) method is most appropriate for crime scene searching when:
Answer: The scene is large and open terrain requires thorough coverage
The strip/grid method is designed for large open areas, systematically covering terrain in parallel lanes to ensure complete coverage.
When is it appropriate to use a presumptive chemical test for blood at a crime scene?
Answer: To screen areas for possible blood before collection and laboratory submission
Presumptive tests such as luminol or phenolphthalein are screening tools that indicate possible blood and guide collection, but require laboratory confirmation.
A technician must collect a control swab when swabbing a surface for biological evidence. The control swab should be taken from:
Answer: An unstained area of the same surface near the stain
The control swab is collected from an unstained area of the same surface to detect background contamination from the substrate itself.
Which measurement technique produces the most accurate fixed-point locations on a crime scene sketch when no right-angle walls are available?
Answer: Triangulation from two fixed reference points
Triangulation from two known fixed points provides a unique x-y location for any object, even in open or outdoor scenes without walls.
What is the primary reason evidence technicians should avoid eating, drinking, or smoking within the crime scene perimeter?
Answer: It can introduce foreign DNA, trace evidence, and contaminants that compromise the scene
Eating, drinking, or smoking within the perimeter risks depositing foreign DNA and trace materials that can mislead forensic analysis.
When a deceased person is found at a scene, who has authority to authorize movement of the body for evidence collection purposes?
Answer: The medical examiner or coroner
The medical examiner or coroner has legal jurisdiction over the body and must authorize its movement; the body remains under their authority until released.