CPD Investigation & Evidence 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At a crime scene, an officer discovers a bloody knife near the victim. What is the FIRST step before collecting this evidence?
- Photograph and document the knife in its original position (Correct answer)
- Pick it up and place it in an evidence bag immediately
- Ask witnesses if they saw the knife
- Call the detective and wait for their arrival
Correct answer: Photograph and document the knife in its original position
All physical evidence must be photographed and documented in situ before it is collected or disturbed.
Question 2: Under the 'plain view' doctrine, an officer may seize evidence without a warrant only if:
- The officer is lawfully present, the item is in plain view, and its incriminating nature is immediately apparent (Correct answer)
- The officer suspects the item is stolen property
- The item is in a public space
- A supervisor authorizes the seizure
Correct answer: The officer is lawfully present, the item is in plain view, and its incriminating nature is immediately apparent
Plain view requires lawful presence, open visibility, and immediately apparent incriminating character.
Question 3: Which type of evidence refers to a witness's direct sensory observation of an event?
- Direct evidence (Correct answer)
- Circumstantial evidence
- Physical evidence
- Documentary evidence
Correct answer: Direct evidence
Direct evidence is based on a witness's firsthand perception through sight, hearing, or another sense.
Question 4: An officer conducting a custodial interrogation must advise a suspect of Miranda rights because:
- The Fifth Amendment protects against compelled self-incrimination (Correct answer)
- The Fourth Amendment requires a warrant for questioning
- Department policy mandates it regardless of custody status
- The Sixth Amendment requires an attorney at all questioning
Correct answer: The Fifth Amendment protects against compelled self-incrimination
Miranda warnings are constitutionally required before custodial interrogation to protect Fifth Amendment rights.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of maintaining a chain of custody for evidence?
- To ensure evidence integrity and admissibility in court (Correct answer)
- To speed up the evidence processing timeline
- To track which officer collected the most evidence
- To satisfy administrative reporting requirements
Correct answer: To ensure evidence integrity and admissibility in court
Chain of custody documents every person who handled evidence, ensuring its integrity and making it admissible at trial.
Question 6: A witness recants their initial statement before trial. The prior inconsistent statement may be used in court to:
- Impeach the witness's credibility (Correct answer)
- Establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
- Replace the witness's live testimony entirely
- Charge the witness with perjury automatically
Correct answer: Impeach the witness's credibility
Prior inconsistent statements are admissible to impeach a witness who has changed their story.
Question 7: When executing a search warrant, officers are generally required to 'knock and announce' before entry. An exception allowing a 'no-knock' entry exists when:
- Knocking would create a risk of evidence destruction or danger to officers (Correct answer)
- The suspect has a prior felony record
- The search occurs at night
- The warrant is for a drug offense
Correct answer: Knocking would create a risk of evidence destruction or danger to officers
No-knock entries are justified when announcement would endanger officers or lead to immediate destruction of evidence.
CPD Investigation & Evidence 2
At a crime scene, an officer discovers a bloody knife near the victim.
What is the FIRST step before collecting this evidence?