Crime Scene Investigation Flashcards
7 cards from real MCOLES practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Crime Scene Investigation flashcards as text
A witness contaminates a crime scene by moving a weapon before officers arrive. What should the first officer on scene do?
Answer: Document the witness's account of the original position and note the change in reports
Officers must document the original reported location through the witness's account and note the alteration in official reports to preserve investigative accuracy.
What is the significance of rigor mortis in a crime scene investigation involving a death?
Answer: It helps estimate the postmortem interval or time since death
Rigor mortis follows a predictable onset and resolution timeline that investigators and medical examiners use to estimate time of death.
During a sexual assault investigation, which agency typically takes primary custody of the sexual assault evidence kit?
Answer: The crime laboratory
Sexual assault evidence kits are submitted to the crime laboratory to maintain a controlled chain of custody and ensure proper analysis.
What is 'luminol' used for in crime scene investigations?
Answer: Detecting traces of blood that have been cleaned or diluted
Luminol reacts with the iron in hemoglobin to produce chemiluminescence, revealing bloodstains even after cleaning attempts.
An investigator finds shoe prints in mud near a burglary scene. What is the proper collection method?
Answer: Photograph and then cast the print with dental stone or plaster
Three-dimensional impressions in soft media like mud must be photographed and then cast with dental stone or casting plaster to capture depth and detail.
Under Michigan law and MCOLES standards, who has ultimate authority over a crime scene?
Answer: The lead detective or officer in charge of the investigation
The lead investigator or officer in charge of the investigation holds authority over the crime scene, including access and processing decisions.
A bloodstain shows a circular shape with smooth edges and no satellite spatter. What does this indicate about the drop's direction of travel?
Answer: The blood fell from directly above, at a 90-degree angle
A circular bloodstain with smooth edges and no satellite spatter indicates a perpendicular (90-degree) drop from directly above, resulting in minimal distortion.