Item Collection Flashcards

During the collection of drug evidence, why should each pill, capsule, or powdered substance be packaged separately?

Answer: To prevent cross-contamination between different substances

Packaging drug items separately prevents mixing of substances, which could affect identification, weight calculations, and charge levels.

A latent fingerprint is developed on a porous surface such as cardboard. Which collection method is most appropriate?

Answer: Collect the entire substrate item as evidence

Porous surfaces do not allow effective tape lifting; the entire substrate should be collected so the print can be further processed by laboratory examiners.

When collecting evidence in an outdoor scene after rainfall, what modification to standard procedure is most important?

Answer: Prioritize rapidly collecting and drying biological evidence to limit further degradation

Rain accelerates degradation of biological evidence, so rapid collection followed by proper drying is essential before DNA is destroyed.

Which factor determines whether evidence should be collected using a swab versus scraping?

Answer: Wet or moist stains are swabbed; dry stains on hard surfaces are scraped

Wet or moist biological material is effectively collected with a swab, while dry, encrusted material on hard non-porous surfaces is typically scraped into a collection container.

An evidence technician is about to collect a piece of digital evidence (a mobile phone). What is the first priority action?

Answer: Isolate the device from wireless networks using a Faraday bag or airplane mode

Isolating the device from wireless networks prevents remote wiping, prevents incoming data from altering the device state, and preserves the evidence.

What does the term 'locard's exchange principle' mean in the context of item collection?

Answer: Every contact leaves a trace — perpetrators both leave material and take material from a scene

Locard's Exchange Principle states that every contact between two objects results in a two-way transfer of material, forming the theoretical basis for trace evidence collection.

When must an evidence technician stop collecting evidence at a scene and request additional authorization?

Answer: When evidence is discovered in an area not covered by the current search warrant

Collecting evidence beyond the scope of the current search warrant is a Fourth Amendment violation; a new or amended warrant must be obtained before continuing.