ABST - Alberta Basic Security Training Documentation and Evidence Questions and Answers

Question 1

When documenting an incident in a notebook, which of the following is a critical rule to ensure its admissibility and credibility in court?

Accepted Answer

Drawing a single line through any errors and initialing the change.

Answer

To maintain the integrity of a security professional's notebook as a legal document, all entries must be permanent and unaltered. If an error is made, the correct procedure is to cross it out with a single line so it remains legible, and then initial the change to show who made the correction and when. Removing pages, leaving blank spaces, or using erasable ink can compromise the notebook's credibility and suggest that the notes have been tampered with.

Question 2

A security professional is writing an incident report about a theft. Which of the following statements is the most appropriate and objective for the report?

Accepted Answer

I observed an individual conceal two items under their jacket and exit without paying.

Answer

Incident reports must be based on objective, factual observations. Stating exactly what was seen ('conceal two items under their jacket and exit without paying') is a factual account. The other options include subjective opinions, assumptions about the person's motives or character ('looked guilty', 'probably a drug user', 'appeared nervous'), which are inappropriate for a professional report and can undermine its credibility.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of maintaining a 'chain of custody' for a piece of evidence found at a scene?

Accepted Answer

To provide a chronological record of everyone who has handled the evidence.

Answer

The chain of custody is a legal principle that requires the chronological documentation of the seizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of evidence. Its primary purpose is to prove that the evidence has not been tampered with, altered, or substituted from the moment it was collected to the moment it is presented in court, thus maintaining its integrity.

Question 4

While on patrol, you witness a verbal altercation that does not escalate physically and resolves on its own. According to ABST standards for documentation, what is the correct course of action?

Accepted Answer

Make a detailed entry in your notebook about the observation.

Answer

Security professionals are required to document their findings, observations, and actions taken during their shift. Even incidents that resolve themselves should be noted. This creates a complete record of activities on the property, which can be useful for identifying patterns, demonstrating due diligence, or recalling details for a future investigation.

Question 5

When taking a statement from a witness after an incident, what is the most critical piece of information to obtain and record, besides their account of the event?

Accepted Answer

Their full name and contact information.

Answer

While the witness's account is crucial, obtaining their full name and contact information is essential for any follow-up that may be required by supervisors, clients, or law enforcement. Without this information, the statement may be of limited use as it cannot be properly verified or followed up on.

ABST - Alberta Basic Security Training Practice Test

ABST - Alberta Basic Security Training Practice Test

ABST - Alberta Basic Security Training Documentation and Evidence Questions and Answers