CSC CSC Evidence & Property Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Why is it important to maintain a secure evidence log in a courthouse setting?
- To allow judges to review security procedures
- To ensure legal admissibility, accountability, and prevent tampering with evidence (Correct answer)
- To track which officers handled the most items each week
- To provide statistics for the courthouse annual report
Correct answer: To ensure legal admissibility, accountability, and prevent tampering with evidence
A secure evidence log ensures legal admissibility, maintains accountability, and protects against tampering or loss.
Question 2: A court security officer discovers a piece of evidence has been removed from its storage location without authorization. What is the FIRST action to take?
- Re-file the evidence in a new location
- Report the incident to a supervisor immediately and document the discrepancy (Correct answer)
- Search the building for the missing evidence before reporting
- Assume an authorized person moved it and take no action
Correct answer: Report the incident to a supervisor immediately and document the discrepancy
Immediately reporting and documenting the discrepancy ensures the incident is properly investigated and the chain of custody is preserved.
Question 3: What is the primary concern when handling biological evidence or bio-hazardous items found in a courthouse?
- Preserving the item for resale
- Preventing contamination and ensuring officer safety through use of proper PPE (Correct answer)
- Expediting the return of the item to the owner
- Photographing the item before touching it
Correct answer: Preventing contamination and ensuring officer safety through use of proper PPE
The primary concern with biological evidence is preventing contamination and protecting officer safety through the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
Question 4: How long should property receipts typically be retained by courthouse security?
- Until the end of each workday
- In accordance with the agency's records retention policy (Correct answer)
- Only until the item is returned to its owner
- For exactly 30 days
Correct answer: In accordance with the agency's records retention policy
Property receipts should be retained in accordance with the agency's records retention policy, which establishes legally required timeframes.
Question 5: A courthouse security officer receives a package addressed to a judge. What is the correct procedure?
- Deliver it directly to the judge's chambers without inspection
- Screen the package using established security protocols before delivery (Correct answer)
- Return it to the sender as policy prohibits all deliveries
- Hold it in the break room until the judge requests it
Correct answer: Screen the package using established security protocols before delivery
All packages addressed to court personnel must be screened using established security protocols before delivery to protect against mail-borne threats.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of a break in the chain of custody?
- Two officers simultaneously documenting an item
- An officer signing in evidence at the beginning of their shift
- An item being transferred without documentation (Correct answer)
- A supervisor verifying the evidence log at end of shift
Correct answer: An item being transferred without documentation
Transferring an item without documentation breaks the chain of custody and may compromise its legal integrity.
CSC CSC Evidence & Property Management 2
Why is it important to maintain a secure evidence log in a courthouse setting?