DCJS DCJS Crime Scene Management & Evidence Handling Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The correct sequence for processing physical evidence at a crime scene is:
- Collect, photograph, then document the location
- Document without photographing, then collect
- Photograph and document first, then collect (Correct answer)
- Collect immediately to prevent evidence from degrading
Correct answer: Photograph and document first, then collect
Evidence must be photographed and documented in place before collection to preserve the original scene context.
Question 2: Biological evidence such as blood or saliva should be stored in:
- Airtight sealed plastic bags to prevent spillage
- Paper bags or envelopes to allow moisture to escape (Correct answer)
- Metal canisters kept at room temperature
- Plastic containers submerged in water to preserve DNA
Correct answer: Paper bags or envelopes to allow moisture to escape
Moisture trapped in plastic bags causes biological evidence to degrade; paper packaging allows airflow and prevents mold.
Question 3: Trace evidence is best described as:
- Large weapons such as firearms or blunt objects
- Witness statements and recorded interviews
- Tiny materials like fibers, hair, or glass fragments transferred during contact (Correct answer)
- Video surveillance footage from nearby cameras
Correct answer: Tiny materials like fibers, hair, or glass fragments transferred during contact
Trace evidence consists of microscopic or small materials that transfer between persons, objects, or environments during contact.
Question 4: Before collecting a fingerprint from a surface, an officer should FIRST:
- Wipe the surface to remove smudges and clarify the print
- Photograph the fingerprint in its original undisturbed position (Correct answer)
- Apply fingerprint powder without any prior documentation
- Handle the surface with bare hands to test for latent prints
Correct answer: Photograph the fingerprint in its original undisturbed position
Photographing the print in place documents its location and condition before any development or collection technique is applied.
Question 5: Digital evidence such as mobile phones and computers should be:
- Powered on and examined at the scene to review content quickly
- Shared among responding officers for simultaneous review
- Seized, packaged appropriately, and submitted per agency digital evidence policy (Correct answer)
- Returned to the owner after photographing the screen
Correct answer: Seized, packaged appropriately, and submitted per agency digital evidence policy
Digital devices must be handled by trained personnel following strict protocols to prevent data alteration, encryption triggers, or remote wipes.
Question 6: When an officer is uncertain whether an item found at a crime scene is evidence, the officer should:
- Discard it to avoid cluttering the scene log
- Treat it as potential evidence and document it thoroughly (Correct answer)
- Leave it undocumented for the detective to assess
- Ask the suspect if the item belongs to them
Correct answer: Treat it as potential evidence and document it thoroughly
When in doubt, officers should err on the side of preservation; it is far easier to exclude an item later than to recover a discarded one.
DCJS DCJS Crime Scene Management & Evidence Handling Questions and Answers 2
The correct sequence for processing physical evidence at a crime scene is: