Documentation & Chain of Custody 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 Documentation & Chain of Custody flashcards as text
Which type of evidence packaging is most appropriate for wet biological samples?
Answer: Paper bags or breathable containers to prevent mold growth
Wet biological samples should be placed in breathable paper bags or containers to allow moisture to escape and prevent mold, which would degrade the evidence.
When an evidence technician testifies in court, which document serves as the foundation for their testimony about evidence handling?
Answer: The chain of custody form and associated documentation
The chain of custody form and associated documentation are the primary records used to support an evidence technician's court testimony about evidence handling.
What does a 'break' in the chain of custody mean for a criminal prosecution?
Answer: It creates reasonable doubt about whether the evidence was tampered with or misidentified
A break in the chain of custody creates reasonable doubt about the evidence's integrity, potentially making it inadmissible or weakening its evidentiary value.
How should an evidence technician handle electronic devices found at a crime scene to preserve digital chain of custody?
Answer: Document their condition, place in Faraday bags, and record all handling
Electronic devices must be documented in their found condition, placed in Faraday bags to prevent remote wiping, and all handling recorded to preserve both the physical and digital chain of custody.
Which standard is most commonly referenced when establishing evidence documentation protocols in U.S. law enforcement agencies?
Answer: SWGMAT (Scientific Working Group for Materials Analysis) guidelines and ANSI/ASB standards
SWGMAT guidelines and ANSI/ASB standards provide the scientific and procedural benchmarks most commonly referenced for evidence documentation in U.S. law enforcement.
When evidence is transferred between jurisdictions, what additional documentation is typically required?
Answer: Inter-agency transfer forms, official letters of authorization, and updated chain of custody entries
Inter-jurisdictional transfers require inter-agency transfer forms, authorization letters, and updated chain of custody entries to ensure legal continuity across different agencies.
An evidence technician is preparing to purge old evidence from storage. What documentation must be completed before destruction?
Answer: A destruction authorization form signed by the appropriate authority, case disposition confirmation, and a destruction log entry
Evidence destruction requires a signed authorization form from the appropriate authority, case disposition confirmation, and a destruction log entry to create a permanent record of what was destroyed and by whose authority.