CSI Crime Scene Documentation and Reporting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct order for documenting a crime scene using photography?
- Close-up, mid-range, overview
- Overview, mid-range, close-up (Correct answer)
- Mid-range, overview, close-up
- Close-up, overview, mid-range
Correct answer: Overview, mid-range, close-up
Documentation starts with overview shots to establish context, followed by mid-range shots, and finally close-up shots of specific evidence.
Question 2: When writing a crime scene report, passive voice is often preferred because it:
- Makes the report sound more authoritative
- Removes investigator bias by focusing on actions rather than actors (Correct answer)
- Is required by federal law
- Shortens the report length significantly
Correct answer: Removes investigator bias by focusing on actions rather than actors
Passive voice ('the weapon was found') focuses on observations and actions rather than attributing actions to individuals, reducing apparent bias.
Question 3: A crime scene sketch must include a north arrow primarily to:
- Meet artistic standards
- Indicate wind direction at the time of the crime
- Provide orientation so the sketch can be interpreted relative to compass directions (Correct answer)
- Show where the nearest road is located
Correct answer: Provide orientation so the sketch can be interpreted relative to compass directions
A north arrow provides geographic orientation, allowing anyone reading the sketch to understand the scene's layout relative to cardinal directions.
Question 4: What does the term 'chain of custody' refer to in crime scene documentation?
- The sequence of investigators assigned to a case
- The chronological record of who collected, handled, and transferred evidence (Correct answer)
- The order in which evidence is processed in the lab
- The list of witnesses interviewed at the scene
Correct answer: The chronological record of who collected, handled, and transferred evidence
Chain of custody is the documented chronological record tracking every person who handled each piece of evidence from collection through court presentation.
Question 5: Which of the following should NOT be included in the factual portion of a crime scene report?
- Time the scene was secured
- Physical description of the scene's condition
- Investigator's theory about how the crime occurred (Correct answer)
- Location and description of evidence collected
Correct answer: Investigator's theory about how the crime occurred
Theories and conclusions belong in the opinion/analysis section; the factual portion must contain only objective, observable information.
Question 6: When is a crime scene log (scene entry log) typically started?
- After all evidence has been collected
- When the first responder arrives and secures the scene (Correct answer)
- When the lead detective takes charge
- Before the scene is photographed
Correct answer: When the first responder arrives and secures the scene
The scene entry log begins when the first responder arrives, recording every person who enters or exits to maintain scene integrity documentation.
Question 7: In crime scene photography, a scale marker (ruler) placed next to evidence serves to:
- Mark the evidence number
- Provide a size reference for accurate measurements in photos (Correct answer)
- Indicate the direction of light source
- Show the sequence in which evidence was found
Correct answer: Provide a size reference for accurate measurements in photos
A scale marker provides a known measurement reference in the photograph, allowing accurate size estimation of the evidence when the image is reviewed later.
CSI Crime Scene Documentation and Reporting 2
What is the correct order for documenting a crime scene using photography?