FREE NC BLET Investigations and Evidence Questions and Answers

Question 1

An officer properly seizes a firearm at a crime scene. To ensure the firearm's admissibility in court and to protect its integrity, which of the following is the most critical and required process?

Accepted Answer

Establishing and meticulously documenting a complete chain of custody.

Answer

Photographing the firearm from multiple angles before collection.

Answer

Immediately unloading the weapon to make it safe for transport.

Answer

Obtaining a sworn statement from the first person who discovered the firearm.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the fundamental difference between a law enforcement interview and an interrogation?

Accepted Answer

An interview is a non-accusatory conversation to gather information, whereas an interrogation is accusatory and designed to elicit an incriminating response.

Answer

An interview is recorded on video, while an interrogation is only audio recorded.

Answer

Interviews are only conducted with victims and witnesses, while interrogations are only conducted with suspects.

Answer

An interview can be conducted anywhere, but an interrogation must legally take place in a designated room at a law enforcement facility.

Question 3

An investigator finds a suspect's fingerprint on a glass at a burglary scene. The fingerprint does not, by itself, prove the suspect committed the burglary, but it does establish the suspect was at the location. This fingerprint is best classified as what type of evidence?

Accepted Answer

Circumstantial evidence

Answer

Direct evidence

Answer

Testimonial evidence

Answer

Conclusive evidence

Question 4

During an investigation into an armed robbery, a detective receives a credible tip that a different individual, not the current suspect, committed the crime. Under the principles established in *Brady v. Maryland*, what is the detective's responsibility with this information?

Accepted Answer

To document the information and ensure it is disclosed to the prosecution, who must then provide it to the defense.

Answer

To disregard the information as it contradicts the primary theory of the case.

Answer

To hold the information and use it only if the primary suspect is acquitted.

Answer

To investigate the new lead but only disclose it to the prosecutor if it results in an arrest.

Question 5

An officer responding to a 'shots fired' call finds a victim who has been shot. The victim is in extreme distress and screaming. Just as the officer approaches, the victim shouts, "Mike Jones did this to me!" before falling unconscious. In court, the officer's testimony about this statement would most likely be admissible under which hearsay exception?

Accepted Answer

Excited Utterance

Answer

Present Sense Impression

Answer

Dying Declaration

Answer

Business Record Exception

Question 6

Under North Carolina's Eyewitness Identification Reform Act (G.S. 15A-284.52), which of the following is a required instruction that must be given to an eyewitness before a photo or live lineup?

Accepted Answer

That the person who committed the crime may or may not be present in the lineup.

Answer

That the investigation will be closed if they cannot make a positive identification.

Answer

That they should focus on the suspect who most closely resembles the lead investigator's description.

Answer

That their level of confidence in their choice is not important and will not be recorded.

An officer properly seizes a firearm at a crime scene.To ensure the firearm's admissibility in court and to protect its integrity, which of the following is the most critical and required process?

An officer properly seizes a firearm at a crime scene.
To ensure the firearm's admissibility in court and to protect its integrity, which of the following is the most critical and required process?