Evidence Collection & Preservation Flashcards
7 cards from real FBI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Evidence Collection & Preservation flashcards as text
When collecting trace evidence from a shooting victim's clothing, what technique should be used first before removing the garment?
Answer: Photograph and tape-lift trace evidence in place
Photographing and tape-lifting trace evidence in place prevents loss or contamination before the garment is removed or packaged.
What is the primary reason firearms evidence should be packaged in paper rather than plastic bags?
Answer: Paper allows moisture to escape, preventing mold and DNA degradation
Paper packaging is breathable, allowing moisture to escape and preventing the growth of mold that could destroy biological evidence.
An agent discovers a handgun submerged in a pond. What is the correct initial handling procedure?
Answer: Package the firearm with water in a sealed container to preserve evidence
Submerged firearms should be kept wet in their recovered state to preserve fingerprints and DNA that would be destroyed by drying.
What does the term 'locard's exchange principle' mean in the context of crime scene evidence?
Answer: Every contact between two objects leaves a trace on each
Locard's Exchange Principle states that every contact leaves a trace — the perpetrator takes something from and leaves something at the scene.
During a shooting scene investigation, bullet trajectory rods are used primarily to:
Answer: Establish the angle and direction from which shots were fired
Trajectory rods are inserted into bullet holes to visually establish the angle and potential origin point of each shot.
Which type of gunshot residue (GSR) collection kit is used on a living suspect's hands?
Answer: Adhesive stub lift kit analyzed by SEM-EDX
The standard GSR collection method uses adhesive carbon-coated stubs analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX).
How long after a shooting incident is GSR typically detectable on an unwashed shooter's hands?
Answer: Up to 4–6 hours
GSR is typically detectable on unwashed hands for approximately 4–6 hours, after which normal activity causes significant particle loss.