Criminal Investigation Procedures Flashcards
6 cards from real FDLE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Criminal Investigation Procedures flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of establishing a perimeter at a crime scene?
Answer: To protect the integrity of evidence and control access
Establishing a perimeter at a crime scene is essential to protect evidence integrity and control who enters the scene, preventing contamination or alteration of physical evidence.
In a criminal investigation, what does 'chain of custody' refer to?
Answer: The documented chronological record of who collected, handled, and stored evidence
Chain of custody is the documented, unbroken record tracking who collected, transferred, analyzed, and stored each piece of evidence from discovery to court presentation.
Which type of crime scene sketch provides the most accurate representation of measurements and spatial relationships?
Answer: Finished/formal sketch drawn to scale
A finished sketch drawn to scale provides the most accurate representation because it maintains proportional measurements, making it admissible and useful for courtroom presentation.
What is the recommended method for processing a crime scene when its boundaries and significant items are unknown?
Answer: Systematic search method (grid, zone, or spiral)
Systematic search methods — such as grid, zone, spiral, or strip patterns — ensure complete coverage of an unknown crime scene without missing evidence.
When interviewing a witness to a crime, which technique is most effective for obtaining accurate, complete information?
Answer: Cognitive interview technique using open-ended questions
The cognitive interview technique, which uses open-ended questions and memory-enhancing strategies, is the most effective and scientifically validated method for obtaining accurate witness recall.
What is the significance of 'Locard's Exchange Principle' in criminal investigations?
Answer: Every contact leaves a trace — perpetrators bring something to and take something from every crime scene
Locard's Exchange Principle states that every contact between two objects results in an exchange of material — the criminal always leaves traces at the scene and takes traces away.