Free Private Investigator Assessment Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The individual who alleges that a criminal act was committed is referred to as _______.
- Victim
- Complainant (Correct answer)
- Suspect
- Witness
Correct answer: Complainant
A 'complainant' is the individual who formally initiates a complaint or alleges that a criminal act has occurred, often by reporting it to law enforcement. While a victim may also be the complainant, the term complainant specifically refers to the person making the formal accusation or report, which sets the investigative process in motion.
Question 2: This is the person who knows something about a crime.
- Victim
- Complainant
- Suspect
- Witness (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Witness
A 'witness' is someone who has direct knowledge of a crime, either by observing it firsthand, hearing relevant information, or possessing other pertinent details. Witnesses provide crucial testimonial evidence that can help investigators reconstruct events, identify suspects, and corroborate other forms of evidence.
Question 3: Anything that tries to verify or invalidate an alleged truth is known as ______.
- Testimonial Evidence
- Hearsay
- Evidence (Correct answer)
- Physical Evidence
Correct answer: Evidence
'Evidence' is a broad term encompassing anything presented in a legal investigation to prove or disprove a fact in contention. It includes physical objects, documents, testimony, and digital data, all of which aim to verify or invalidate an alleged truth. This definition covers all forms of information used to establish facts in a case.
Question 4: The term ____ refers to objects or things that may be utilized to establish or refute a claim.
- Testimonial Evidence
- Evidence
- Relative Evidence
- Physical Evidence (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Physical Evidence
'Physical evidence' specifically refers to tangible objects or materials that can be collected, examined, and used to establish or refute a claim in an investigation. Unlike testimonial evidence, which is spoken, physical evidence includes items like weapons, fingerprints, DNA, documents, or other objects found at a crime scene. These items provide concrete links to the events or individuals involved.
Question 5: ____ belongs to an individual and is not accessible to the general public. A search warrant is needed when a crime scene is involved.
- Public Property
- Private Property (Correct answer)
- Custodial Property
- Public Property w/limited access
Correct answer: Private Property
'Private property' refers to land or possessions owned by an individual or private entity, not accessible to the general public without permission. Due to constitutional protections against unreasonable searches, investigators typically require a search warrant or explicit consent to legally search private property when a crime scene is involved. This ensures legal compliance and protects individual rights.
Question 6: "Every contact leaves a trail," according to whom?
- Sir Edward Lockhart
- Sir Walter Kronkite
- Dr. Edmund Locard (Correct answer)
- Dr. Denis Leary
Correct answer: Dr. Edmund Locard
'Every contact leaves a trace' is known as Locard's Exchange Principle, a fundamental concept in forensic science. It was formulated by Dr. Edmond Locard, a French forensic pioneer, who stated that when two objects come into contact, there is always a transfer of material between them. This principle is crucial for understanding how physical evidence is left at crime scenes.
Question 7: This type of search pattern is used for very large areas. The area is divided into pie-shaped pieces that are searched individually using the Strip/Line method.
- Strip/Line
- Spiral
- Pie/Wheel (Correct answer)
- Grid
Correct answer: Pie/Wheel
The 'Pie/Wheel' search pattern is specifically designed for very large, circular, or irregularly shaped areas. The area is conceptually divided into several pie-shaped wedges, with searchers starting from the center and moving outwards along the 'spokes' or using a strip/line method within each wedge. This systematic approach ensures thorough coverage of expansive spaces.
Question 8: This type of searching is done outside or in a large area. The area should be split into four sections, each of which should be searched using any kind of search pattern.
- Strip/Line
- Zone/Quadrant (Correct answer)
- Spiral
- Grid
Correct answer: Zone/Quadrant
The 'Zone/Quadrant' search pattern is ideal for large outdoor areas or complex indoor spaces that can be logically divided into smaller, manageable sections. Each designated zone or quadrant is then systematically searched using another appropriate pattern, such as a strip or spiral. This method ensures comprehensive coverage and allows multiple searchers to work simultaneously.
Question 9: The search pattern "Spiral" is used.
- By starting at the most inward point and slowly walking in increasing circles (Correct answer)
- By spinning around a bunch of times and using an "oblong" technique
- By starting at the most inward point and searching back and forth until the outer edges are reached
- By starting at the most outward point and circling in
Correct answer: By starting at the most inward point and slowly walking in increasing circles
The 'Spiral' search pattern is typically employed in open, unobstructed areas, often outdoors or in large rooms. It involves a single searcher or a team starting at the center of the area (or the outermost edge) and systematically moving in an ever-widening (or narrowing) circular path. This method is effective for finding evidence that may have been thrown or scattered from a central point.
Question 10: Blood, semen, saliva, bones, hair, and DNA are all examples of this type of evidence.
- Chemistry
- Trace
- Biological (Correct answer)
- Firearms
Correct answer: Biological
'Biological evidence' refers to physical evidence originating from living organisms, such as humans, animals, or plants. Blood, semen, saliva, bones, hair, and DNA are all prime examples because they contain genetic material or cellular components that can be analyzed to identify individuals or link them to a crime. This type of evidence is crucial in forensic investigations.
Question 11: The evidence points to a likely origin, such as bumper paint from another car.
- Biological
- Chemistry
- Impression
- Trace (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Trace
'Trace evidence' refers to minute or microscopic materials that are transferred between people, objects, or locations during a crime. Examples include fibers, hairs, soil, glass fragments, and paint chips, like bumper paint from another car. This type of evidence is often invisible to the naked eye but can provide crucial links and point to a likely origin or contact between individuals or objects.
Question 12: On the wall is a bloody handprint. Fingerprints from the wall are collected. You've just gathered ______.
- Patent Prints (Correct answer)
- Latent Prints
- Elimination Prints
- Plastic Prints
Correct answer: Patent Prints
A patent print is a visible print left by a foreign substance like blood, ink, or paint. Since the handprint on the wall is bloody and therefore clearly visible to the naked eye, it falls under the category of a patent print. These prints are readily apparent without any special processing or enhancement.
Question 13: After a new paint job, the dealership returns your car. Your paint work was destroyed by a careless painter's fingermarks. You can find out who made the problem by gathering ______.
- A Patent Print
- A Latent print
- An Elimination Print
- A Plastic Print (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A Plastic Print
A plastic print is a three-dimensional impression left in a soft or pliable material. In this scenario, the careless painter's fingermarks are pressed into fresh, soft paint, creating a mold or indentation. This distinct characteristic of being a physical impression makes it a plastic print, as opposed to a flat, two-dimensional print.
Question 14: You want to know if anyone in the paint shop has the same fingerprint as the one on your car. You gather all prints of every staff who were there while your car was painted. What are you gathering?
- Elimination Prints (Correct answer)
- Latent Prints
- Plastic Prints
- Patent Prints
Correct answer: Elimination Prints
Elimination prints are collected from individuals who are known to have legitimately been at a scene or handled an item, to exclude their prints from being considered evidence left by a suspect. By gathering prints from all paint shop staff, you can compare them to the print on the car and eliminate those who were authorized to be there, narrowing down potential suspects. This process helps distinguish between innocent contact and potential criminal involvement.
Question 15: Who handled the evidence, when, why, and what, if any, alterations were made are documented in the ______.
- Evidence log
- Crime Scene log
- Documentary Evidence
- Chain of Custody (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Chain of Custody
The Chain of Custody is a critical legal document that meticulously records the chronological history of evidence from its collection to its presentation in court. It details who handled the evidence, when, where, why, and any changes made to it, ensuring its integrity and admissibility. This documentation proves that the evidence presented is the same as that collected at the scene and has not been tampered with.
Question 16: The kind of photo used to capture tire tracks is called a _______.
- Mid-Range
- Closeup (Correct answer)
- Establishing
- Overlook
Correct answer: Closeup
A closeup photograph is essential for capturing the intricate details of small or specific pieces of evidence, such as tire tracks. This type of photo provides a magnified view, allowing for the clear documentation of unique patterns, dimensions, and characteristics crucial for analysis and comparison. It ensures that all relevant features of the track are preserved and visible for forensic examination.
Free Private Investigator Assessment Questions and Answers
The individual who alleges that a criminal act was committed is referred to as _______.