CSI Courtroom Testimony and Ethics 2

Question 1

When a defense attorney asks a CSI a question that assumes facts not in evidence, the CSI should:

Accepted Answer

Correct the false assumption before answering

Answer

A CSI must not allow misleading premises to stand; correcting the assumption preserves accuracy and credibility.

Question 2

A CSI discovers mid-trial that a piece of evidence was mislabeled in the chain of custody. The ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Notify the prosecutor so the error can be disclosed

Answer

Ethical standards require prompt disclosure of chain-of-custody errors regardless of which side it may help or hurt.

Question 3

The term 'scope of expertise' in expert testimony means a CSI should:

Accepted Answer

Only offer opinions within their trained specialization

Answer

Courts require experts to limit opinions to areas where they have documented training and experience.

Question 4

If a CSI is asked during cross-examination 'Isn't it possible that someone else left that fingerprint?' the most appropriate response is:

Accepted Answer

'I can only state what the evidence shows, not speculate on all possibilities.'

Answer

A CSI should report findings without overstating certainty or speculating beyond the evidence.

Question 5

Which behavior constitutes 'dry-labbing' in forensic science?

Accepted Answer

Reporting results without actually performing the analysis

Answer

Dry-labbing—fabricating or skipping analysis while recording results—is a serious ethical violation that has led to wrongful convictions.

(CSI) Crime Scene Investigator Practice Test