Law Enforcement Criminal Investigation Fundamentals 5

Question 1

Probable cause for an arrest exists when:

Accepted Answer

Facts and circumstances would lead a reasonable person to believe a crime was committed by the suspect

Answer

An officer has a vague hunch

Answer

A supervisor approves it

Answer

The suspect has a prior record

Question 2

Evidence obtained as a direct result of an illegal search is typically excluded under which doctrine?

Accepted Answer

Fruit of the poisonous tree

Answer

Plain view doctrine

Answer

Good faith exception

Answer

Inevitable discovery

Question 3

An investigator may seize evidence without a warrant under the 'plain view' doctrine only if:

Accepted Answer

The officer is lawfully present and the incriminating nature is immediately apparent

Answer

The item is valuable

Answer

It is nighttime

Answer

A witness points it out

Question 4

What is the investigative value of a properly maintained 'case file' or murder book?

Accepted Answer

It centralizes all reports, evidence logs, and leads for continuity and review

Answer

It is only for archiving after conviction

Answer

It replaces the need for evidence

Answer

It is optional paperwork

Question 5

A 'cold case' is most often advanced years later by:

Accepted Answer

Re-testing preserved evidence with newer DNA technology or new tips

Answer

Discarding old evidence

Answer

Closing the file permanently

Answer

Ignoring original reports

Question 6

Class characteristics of physical evidence (such as shoe size or blood type) are useful because they:

Accepted Answer

Can narrow the pool of suspects or sources to a group

Answer

Identify a single unique source

Answer

Are always inadmissible

Answer

Replace individual identification

Question 7

Corpus delicti refers to the requirement that prosecutors prove:

Accepted Answer

That a crime actually occurred, not just that someone confessed

Answer

The defendant's motive

Answer

The cost of the investigation

Answer

The number of witnesses