CSI Evidence Collection & Chain of Custody

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of maintaining a 'chain of custody' for evidence in a security investigation?

Accepted Answer

To document every person who handled the evidence from collection to presentation

Answer

Chain of custody documentation proves that evidence has not been tampered with, altered, or contaminated between collection and use in proceedings.

Question 2

When collecting physical evidence at a security incident scene, what should an investigator do first?

Accepted Answer

Document and photograph the scene before touching anything

Answer

Documenting and photographing the scene before collection preserves the original state of evidence and its spatial relationships.

Question 3

Which type of evidence is considered 'best evidence' in a security investigation?

Accepted Answer

The original document or item, rather than a copy

Answer

The best evidence rule requires that the original document or item be presented rather than a duplicate, unless the original is unavailable.

Question 4

What is 'transient evidence' in the context of physical security investigations?

Accepted Answer

Evidence that is temporary in nature and must be collected immediately

Answer

Transient evidence, such as odors, temperature, or melting materials, exists only briefly and must be documented or collected before it disappears.

Question 5

In a security investigation, 'circumstantial evidence' differs from 'direct evidence' in that it:

Accepted Answer

Requires inference to connect it to a conclusion rather than proving it directly

Answer

Circumstantial evidence supports a conclusion through logical inference rather than directly demonstrating the fact in question.

(CSI) Certified Security Investigator Practice Test