Storage & Preservation 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 Storage & Preservation flashcards as text
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a property room audit?
Answer: To verify that all stored items match their chain of custody documentation
A property room audit reconciles physical evidence items against their custody documentation to detect discrepancies, missing items, or procedural violations.
A sexual assault evidence kit (SAEK) is typically stored at what temperature prior to submission to the crime lab?
Answer: Refrigerated (2–8°C)
SAEKs containing biological swabs and samples are refrigerated at 2–8°C to slow degradation while preventing freeze-thaw damage to delicate biological materials.
When an evidence technician discovers mold growing inside a sealed evidence bag, the FIRST action should be to:
Answer: Notify a supervisor and document the condition before taking any action
Discovering mold requires immediate notification of a supervisor and documentation so that a chain of custody record reflects the contamination event before any corrective action alters the evidence.
What does the term 'evidence purge' refer to in an evidence management context?
Answer: The authorized disposal of evidence no longer needed for legal proceedings
An evidence purge is the authorized, documented process of disposing of evidence after all legal proceedings are concluded and retention periods have been met.
Which of the following actions would MOST directly compromise the integrity of stored electronic evidence?
Answer: Connecting the device to a network or power source without write-blocking
Connecting a device to a network or power source without write-blocking can alter timestamps, auto-update apps, or synchronize data, changing the evidentiary state of the device.
A freeze-thaw cycle occurring in an improperly stored biological sample PRIMARILY causes:
Answer: Cell lysis and degradation of genetic material
Repeated freeze-thaw cycles rupture cell membranes through ice crystal formation, releasing enzymes that degrade DNA and compromise the evidentiary value of the sample.
Which factor is the PRIMARY consideration when selecting packaging for trace evidence such as hair and fibers?
Answer: Prevention of static charge that causes fibers to escape or transfer
Static electricity can cause trace fibers and hair to cling to or escape packaging, leading to loss or cross-contamination; anti-static packaging is therefore the primary concern.