Item Collection 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 Item Collection flashcards as text
A crime scene contains a strong odor of accelerants. Before collecting accelerant samples, what safety precaution is most critical?
Answer: Ensure the area is ventilated and free of ignition sources
Accelerant vapors are flammable; the scene must be ventilated and all ignition sources removed before evidence collection begins.
Which container is BEST for collecting and preserving soil containing suspected accelerants?
Answer: Airtight glass or metal paint can
Airtight metal or glass containers prevent volatile accelerant vapors from escaping, preserving them for laboratory analysis.
When collecting fiber evidence found on a victim's body, the technician should change gloves between each collection point because:
Answer: Gloves may transfer fiber from one area to another
Changing gloves between collection points prevents cross-transfer of fibers between different areas of the body, which would compromise the integrity of each sample.
A technician recovers a bullet from a wall. What is the correct method to avoid altering the bullet's surface?
Answer: Use rubber-tipped forceps and handle from the sides
Rubber-tipped forceps protect the bullet's rifling marks and surface characteristics, which are critical for firearm comparison analysis.
Which of the following is NOT a valid method for collecting DNA evidence from a suspect's skin?
Answer: Rubbing a cotton swab over the back of the hand
A dry cotton swab rubbed over intact skin rarely collects enough epithelial cells for a reliable DNA profile, making it an unreliable collection method.
When packaging sharp objects such as knives or broken glass as evidence, what is the priority safety concern?
Answer: Protecting personnel from injury during handling and transport
Sharp objects must be packaged to prevent punctures during handling and transport, protecting evidence technicians, officers, and laboratory personnel.
What is the significance of collecting a 'known standard' alongside questioned evidence?
Answer: It provides a reference sample for direct comparison in the laboratory
A known standard provides an authenticated reference sample that analysts use to compare against the questioned evidence to determine a match.