DCJS Criminal Investigation Procedures Questions and Answers

Question 1

An officer is preparing a photographic array for an eyewitness identification. According to the DCJS model policy, which of the following is a required procedure?

Accepted Answer

Presenting the photographs to the witness sequentially, one at a time.

Answer

Including at least ten photographs in the array to ensure a fair selection.

Answer

Showing the array to all available witnesses at the same time to ensure consistency.

Answer

Informing the witness that the suspect is definitely in the array and they must make a choice.

Question 2

A law enforcement officer in Virginia conducts a custodial interrogation of a robbery suspect at the police station. According to Virginia Code § 19.2-390.04, what is the primary requirement for this interrogation?

Accepted Answer

An audiovisual recording of the entirety of the interrogation must be made.

Answer

The suspect's attorney must be present during the entire interrogation.

Answer

The interrogation must be limited to a maximum of two hours.

Answer

A written summary of the suspect's confession must be signed immediately after.

Question 3

An officer responds to a burglary that just occurred. A witness provides a description of the suspect who fled on foot. A short distance away, another officer detains a person matching the description. To confirm the identity, the investigating officer considers a 'show-up' identification. Under Virginia DCJS guidelines, a physical show-up should only be used under what condition?

Accepted Answer

Immediately after the crime has occurred, typically within three hours.

Answer

When the witness is uninjured and can be transported to the police station.

Answer

Only after a photographic array has first been attempted and failed.

Answer

When it can be conducted more than six hours after the crime to allow the suspect to calm down.

Question 4

Which of the following items generally requires a search warrant to be searched and seized from a private residence, according to Virginia Code § 19.2-53?

Accepted Answer

Weapons used in the commission of a crime, stored inside a locked safe.

Answer

Contraband left in plain view on the front porch.

Answer

A stolen vehicle parked on the public street in front of the house.

Answer

Garbage cans left on the curb for weekly collection.

Question 5

During the investigation of a complex financial fraud case, an officer needs to obtain bank records. What is the fundamental principle regarding the use of a search warrant for such documents in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

A search warrant may be issued for documents and records constituting evidence of a crime.

Answer

A search warrant can never be used to obtain financial documents.

Answer

Officers can only obtain bank records by directly asking the suspect for consent.

Answer

A search warrant for documents is only valid if served by a federal agent.

Question 6

An officer is documenting the chain of custody for a piece of physical evidence collected at a crime scene. Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of establishing and maintaining a proper chain of custody?

Accepted Answer

To create an unbroken record of every person who has handled the evidence.

Answer

To determine the monetary value of the seized evidence for asset forfeiture.

Answer

To ensure the evidence is properly stored to prevent degradation.

Answer

To notify the Commonwealth's Attorney that evidence has been collected.