Documentation & Chain of Custody Flashcards
7 cards from real ETC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Documentation & Chain of Custody flashcards as text
When a chain of custody form is lost for a piece of evidence, what is the most appropriate course of action?
Answer: Document the loss, notify supervisors, and attempt reconstruction from available records
Losing a chain of custody form requires immediate documentation of the loss, supervisor notification, and reconstruction from any available records to maintain evidentiary integrity.
Which element is NOT typically required on a chain of custody form?
Answer: Suspect's prior criminal history
A suspect's prior criminal history is not a required element on a chain of custody form; the form tracks evidence handling, not suspect background.
An evidence technician transfers custody of a firearm to a forensic lab. Who must sign the chain of custody form at the time of transfer?
Answer: Both the releasing technician and the receiving lab personnel
Both the releasing party and the receiving party must sign the chain of custody form to document the transfer accurately.
What does 'integrity of evidence' refer to in the context of chain of custody?
Answer: Ensuring evidence remains unaltered and accounted for from collection to court
Integrity of evidence means the item remains unchanged and fully accounted for throughout its lifecycle from collection to courtroom presentation.
If an evidence technician notices a discrepancy between the item description on the chain of custody form and the actual evidence, what should they do first?
Answer: Document the discrepancy and immediately notify a supervisor
Discrepancies must be documented immediately and reported to a supervisor to preserve evidentiary integrity and allow for proper investigation of the error.
Which of the following best describes 'constructive possession' in evidence documentation?
Answer: Legal control over evidence even without direct physical contact
Constructive possession refers to having legal control and authority over evidence even when not in direct physical contact with it.
When evidence is sealed in a tamper-evident bag, what should be written or affixed on the outside of the bag?
Answer: Case number, date, item description, and initials of the collecting officer
Tamper-evident packaging must be labeled with the case number, date, item description, and the initials of the collecting officer to ensure traceability.