Criminal Investigation Fundamentals Flashcards

Probable cause for an arrest exists when:

Answer: Facts and circumstances would lead a reasonable person to believe a crime was committed by the suspect

Probable cause requires reasonable, fact-based belief that a crime occurred and the person committed it.

Evidence obtained as a direct result of an illegal search is typically excluded under which doctrine?

Answer: Fruit of the poisonous tree

The fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine suppresses evidence derived from an unconstitutional search or seizure.

An investigator may seize evidence without a warrant under the 'plain view' doctrine only if:

Answer: The officer is lawfully present and the incriminating nature is immediately apparent

Plain view seizure requires lawful presence and that the item's evidentiary nature be immediately obvious.

What is the investigative value of a properly maintained 'case file' or murder book?

Answer: It centralizes all reports, evidence logs, and leads for continuity and review

The case file consolidates every document and lead, ensuring continuity, accountability, and effective review.

A 'cold case' is most often advanced years later by:

Answer: Re-testing preserved evidence with newer DNA technology or new tips

Advances in DNA analysis and fresh tips frequently break cold cases when preserved evidence is re-examined.

Class characteristics of physical evidence (such as shoe size or blood type) are useful because they:

Answer: Can narrow the pool of suspects or sources to a group

Class characteristics group evidence into a category, narrowing possibilities without uniquely identifying one source.

Corpus delicti refers to the requirement that prosecutors prove:

Answer: That a crime actually occurred, not just that someone confessed

Corpus delicti means the 'body of the crime' must be established to show a crime took place, independent of a confession.