Basic Criminal Investigation - Part One
(245).webp "Basic Criminal Investigation - Part One - Quiz")
Understanding crime scene dynamics, security and processing for presentation of evidence.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
The number one responsiblity of the responding officer arriving at the scene of an alleged crime is what activity?
- A.
Personal Safety
- B.
Establish Perimeter Control
- C.
Determine Crime Scene Boundaries
Correct Answer
A. Personal SafetyExplanation
The number one responsibility of the responding officer arriving at the scene of an alleged crime is personal safety. This means that the officer's primary focus should be on ensuring their own safety and taking necessary precautions to avoid any potential harm or danger. By prioritizing personal safety, the officer can then effectively carry out their duties and responsibilities in handling the situation at hand.Rate this question:
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- 2.
If injured parties are present, the officers should do what next?
- A.
Call for medical assistance
- B.
Attempt to render aid
- C.
Continue to search for a perpetrator
Correct Answer
A. Call for medical assistanceExplanation
Injured parties should always be the priority in any situation. Therefore, if injured parties are present, the officers should call for medical assistance. This is important to ensure that the injured individuals receive the necessary medical attention and treatment as soon as possible. Attempting to render aid may be necessary in certain situations, but it should be done after medical professionals have been contacted. Continuing to search for a perpetrator can wait until the injured parties have been taken care of.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Establishing an entrance point at the crime scene and posting an officer there does what?
- A.
Keeps the media away
- B.
Will make officers not involved with the case stay away
- C.
Records who enters, exits and what time they left for evidence documentation.
Correct Answer
C. Records who enters, exits and what time they left for evidence documentation.Explanation
Establishing an entrance point at the crime scene and posting an officer there allows for the recording of individuals who enter and exit the area, as well as the time they leave. This is important for evidence documentation purposes, as it helps establish a timeline and track the movements of potential suspects or witnesses. It also helps ensure the integrity of the crime scene by keeping unauthorized personnel, including officers not involved with the case and the media, away from the area.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Officers always need to be aware of "universal precautions" when entering a crime scene. What does that mean?
- A.
Take steps to protect against blood diseases, etc.
- B.
Take steps to preserve evidence.
- C.
Take steps to note the location of evidence.
Correct Answer
A. Take steps to protect against blood diseases, etc.Explanation
Officers always need to be aware of "universal precautions" when entering a crime scene means that they should take steps to protect themselves against blood diseases, such as wearing personal protective equipment like gloves, masks, and goggles. This is important because crime scenes can often contain blood or other bodily fluids that may carry infectious diseases. By following universal precautions, officers can minimize the risk of exposure and ensure their own safety while conducting investigations.Rate this question:
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- 5.
After those injured are removed from the scene by medical personnel, the police need to do what?
- A.
Find the suspect
- B.
Determine the number of crime scenes
- C.
Call the prosecutor to respond to the scene
Correct Answer
B. Determine the number of crime scenesExplanation
After those injured are removed from the scene by medical personnel, the police need to determine the number of crime scenes. This is important because it helps the police understand the extent of the crime and whether it was a single incident or if there are multiple crime scenes that need to be investigated. By determining the number of crime scenes, the police can allocate resources and personnel accordingly to effectively investigate and gather evidence.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Crime scene processing begins with what police activity?
- A.
Photographs
- B.
Field notes - drawings
- C.
Securing the Scene
Correct Answer
C. Securing the SceneExplanation
Securing the scene is the correct answer because it is the first step in crime scene processing. This involves establishing a perimeter around the crime scene to prevent contamination or tampering with evidence. It also involves ensuring the safety of all individuals present at the scene. By securing the scene, law enforcement can preserve the integrity of the evidence and create a controlled environment for further investigation. This step is crucial in order to gather accurate and reliable evidence that can be used in the criminal justice process.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What happens next at the crime scene in terms of police processing?
- A.
Photographs
- B.
Measurements
- C.
Field Notes
Correct Answer
A. PhotographsExplanation
After the initial arrival at the crime scene, the police will proceed with taking photographs. This is an important step in the police processing as it helps document and preserve the scene exactly as it was found. By capturing detailed photographs, the investigators can later refer to them for analysis and evidence collection. These photographs can serve as visual documentation of the crime scene, providing crucial information for further investigation and potential court proceedings.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What happens next at the crime scene in terms of police processing?
- A.
Field notes
- B.
Measurements
- C.
Photographs
Correct Answer
A. Field notesExplanation
After the crime scene is secured, the police officers will proceed with taking field notes. Field notes are detailed written records that document observations, actions, and other relevant information about the crime scene. These notes are crucial for creating an accurate and comprehensive report of the incident. They may include descriptions of the scene, the position of evidence, witness statements, and any other pertinent details. Field notes serve as a reference for investigators, prosecutors, and other parties involved in the case, helping to ensure that no important information is overlooked.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What happens next at the crime scene in terms of police processing?
- A.
Measurements
- B.
Final drawing
- C.
Evidence Collection
Correct Answer
A. MeasurementsExplanation
After the crime scene has been secured, the next step in police processing would be to take measurements. This involves documenting the dimensions and layout of the crime scene, including the position of objects, bloodstains, or any other relevant evidence. These measurements are crucial for creating an accurate final drawing of the crime scene, which helps investigators and forensic experts analyze and reconstruct the events that took place. Additionally, measurements assist in determining the distance between objects or individuals, providing valuable information for the investigation.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What happens next at the crime scene in terms of police processing?
- A.
Prosecution Case Review
- B.
Final Drawing
- C.
Evidence Collection
Correct Answer
C. Evidence CollectionExplanation
After the prosecution case review and final drawing, the next step at the crime scene would be evidence collection. This involves the systematic gathering and preservation of any physical evidence that may be relevant to the investigation. The police would carefully document and collect items such as fingerprints, DNA samples, weapons, or any other materials that could potentially provide valuable information or link a suspect to the crime. This crucial step ensures that the evidence is properly handled and can be used effectively in court proceedings.Rate this question:
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- 11.
What happens next at the crime scene in terms of police processing?
- A.
Final Drawing - Professional for Prosecution/Court Room
- B.
Crime Scene Clean Up
- C.
Police Report
Correct Answer
A. Final Drawing - Professional for Prosecution/Court RoomExplanation
After the crime scene has been processed by the police, the next step would be to create a final drawing of the scene, which will be used as evidence in the prosecution or court room. This drawing is typically done by a professional who specializes in crime scene reconstruction. It helps to provide a visual representation of the crime scene and can be used to explain the sequence of events to the jury or judge. Once the final drawing is completed, it will be included in the police report along with other relevant information about the crime scene.Rate this question:
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- 12.
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires Probable Cause in order for the government to obtain a Search Warrant?
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution indeed requires probable cause for the government to obtain a search warrant. This means that law enforcement officials must have a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed and that the search will uncover evidence related to that crime. This requirement is in place to protect individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures, ensuring that their privacy and property rights are upheld.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Once the crime scene is secure, in it's initial stages (the police determine a crime has been committed and no victims need help) they should stop their search of a home and get a Search Warrant to continue the search.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
In the initial stages of securing a crime scene, once the police determine that a crime has been committed and there are no victims in need of immediate help, they should halt their search of a home and obtain a search warrant before continuing. This is because conducting a search without a warrant could violate the Fourth Amendment rights of the individuals involved. A search warrant ensures that there is probable cause and legal authorization for the search, protecting the rights of the individuals and ensuring the admissibility of any evidence obtained. Therefore, the answer is true.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Probable Cause is a lessor legal standard than Reasonable Suspicion.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The statement is false because Reasonable Suspicion is a lower legal standard than Probable Cause. Reasonable Suspicion is the standard required for a police officer to stop and briefly detain someone for investigation, while Probable Cause is a higher standard required for an arrest or search warrant.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Probable Cause is actually listed in the U.S. Constitution as the legal standard necessary for government intrusion into personal property.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The given statement is true. The U.S. Constitution does indeed list Probable Cause as the legal standard required for government intrusion into personal property. This means that in order for the government to search or seize someone's personal property, they must have a reasonable belief or evidence that a crime has been committed or that the property contains evidence of a crime. This protection is provided by the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which safeguards against unreasonable searches and seizures.Rate this question:
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- 16.
If evidence is illegally seized by the police, unintentionally, then it will be thrown out of court and not used to prosecute.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
If evidence is illegally seized by the police, intentionally or unintentionally, it can still be used in court to prosecute. The exclusionary rule, which is a legal principle, states that evidence obtained through illegal means should be excluded from trial. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as the good faith exception, where evidence may still be admissible if the police believed they were acting within the law. Therefore, the statement that illegally seized evidence will always be thrown out of court and not used to prosecute is false.Rate this question:
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- 17.
If the police fail to properly follow correct evidence collection procedures then the evidence collected can be challenged and not admitted into a criminal trial.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
In a criminal trial, it is crucial for the police to follow correct evidence collection procedures to ensure the integrity and reliability of the evidence. If they fail to do so, the defense can challenge the admissibility of the evidence. This means that the evidence may not be considered by the court when making a decision. Therefore, the statement is true as improper evidence collection can lead to the exclusion of evidence in a criminal trial.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Prior to the 9/11 Terrorism Attacks in NYC, DC and PA, the largest crime scene in history was the Pam Flight 103 (Lockerbee) Bombing.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The statement is true because prior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Pam Flight 103 (Lockerbee) bombing was indeed considered the largest crime scene in history. The Lockerbie bombing occurred on December 21, 1988, when Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed by a bomb, killing all 259 people on board and 11 individuals on the ground. The investigation and aftermath of the Lockerbie bombing involved a massive crime scene, making it the largest until the tragic events of 9/11 surpassed it in scale.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Trace evidence can be described as being a chemical signature, DNA, serology, digital, fibers, and other microbiological factors.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Trace evidence refers to any physical evidence that is left behind at a crime scene, usually in very small quantities. It can include various types of evidence such as chemical signatures, DNA, serology, digital evidence, fibers, and other microbiological factors. Therefore, the statement "Trace evidence can be described as being a chemical signature, DNA, serology, digital, fibers, and other microbiological factors" is true.Rate this question:
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- 20.
When two people come in contact with one another their is a transference of evidence from one person to the other and visa versa.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
When two people come in contact with each other, there is a transference of evidence from one person to the other and vice versa. This means that traces of physical evidence, such as fingerprints, DNA, or fibers, can be transferred between individuals during contact. This transference of evidence is a common phenomenon in forensic science and is crucial in linking individuals to a crime scene or to each other. Therefore, the statement is true.Rate this question:
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Apr 19, 2024Quiz Edited by
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Mar 15, 2012Quiz Created by
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