CFPN Forensic Evidence Collection and Chain of Custody 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document formally transfers custody of evidence from the forensic nurse to law enforcement?
- Chain of custody form (Correct answer)
- Incident report
- Discharge summary
- Pharmacy medication reconciliation form
Correct answer: Chain of custody form
A chain of custody form documents each transfer of evidence and must be signed by both releasing and receiving parties.
Question 2: A forensic pharmacy nurse collects hair samples for drug testing. What is the standard length required to capture approximately 90 days of drug history?
- 1.5 inches (3.9 cm) (Correct answer)
- 0.5 inches (1.3 cm)
- 3 inches (7.6 cm)
- 6 inches (15.2 cm)
Correct answer: 1.5 inches (3.9 cm)
Hair grows approximately 0.5 inches per month, so 1.5 inches represents roughly 90 days of history.
Question 3: In forensic evidence collection, what does the term 'locard's exchange principle' mean in practice?
- Every contact leaves a trace (Correct answer)
- Evidence must be exchanged between agencies
- Lab results must be shared with both parties
- Nurses must exchange gloves between patients
Correct answer: Every contact leaves a trace
Locard's Exchange Principle states that when two objects contact each other, material is exchanged, forming the basis of trace evidence.
Question 4: What personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential when a forensic pharmacy nurse collects evidence to prevent cross-contamination of DNA?
- Gloves and mask at minimum (Correct answer)
- Only gloves
- Only a lab coat
- No PPE is required for evidence collection
Correct answer: Gloves and mask at minimum
Gloves and a mask prevent the nurse's DNA from contaminating biological evidence samples.
Question 5: Which federal regulation governs workplace drug testing procedures that forensic pharmacy nurses must understand?
- 49 CFR Part 40 (Correct answer)
- 21 CFR Part 820
- 45 CFR Part 164
- 29 CFR Part 1910
Correct answer: 49 CFR Part 40
49 CFR Part 40 establishes Department of Transportation workplace drug and alcohol testing procedures.
Question 6: When photographing forensic evidence at a clinical site, images should be taken in which order?
- Overall scene, mid-range, then close-up (Correct answer)
- Close-up first, then overall scene
- Mid-range only to save time
- Order does not matter as long as all items are photographed
Correct answer: Overall scene, mid-range, then close-up
Standard forensic photography follows the order: overall/establishing, mid-range/context, close-up/detail to provide complete documentation.
CFPN Forensic Evidence Collection and Chain of Custody 2
Which document formally transfers custody of evidence from the forensic nurse to law enforcement?