Crime Scene Investigation Flashcards

When collecting trace evidence such as hair or fibers from a crime scene, which tool is most appropriate?

Answer: Tape lifts or tweezers placed into paper folds

Tape lifts capture trace fibers and hair effectively, and paper folds prevent static buildup and moisture damage that plastic can cause.

An officer arrives at a burglary scene and notices tool marks on a window frame. What is the correct initial action?

Answer: Photograph the marks before any other processing

Photography must be completed before any physical contact or casting to preserve the original condition of the evidence.

Which pattern of crime scene search is best suited for a large outdoor area such as a field?

Answer: Grid search

The grid search pattern provides thorough, overlapping coverage ideal for large outdoor scenes with multiple searchers.

A victim's bloodstained shirt is collected at a homicide scene. How should it be packaged?

Answer: Rolled and placed in a paper bag

Biological evidence must be packaged in breathable paper to prevent moisture buildup, which accelerates mold and DNA degradation.

What does the term 'locard's exchange principle' mean in the context of crime scene investigation?

Answer: When two objects contact each other, trace material is exchanged

Locard's Exchange Principle states that every contact between persons or objects leaves a trace, forming the scientific basis for trace evidence collection.

At a crime scene, an officer discovers a fired cartridge casing on the floor. What should the officer do before picking it up?

Answer: Mark its location with a numbered placard and photograph it

Placement markers and photography document the casing's exact location before collection, preserving spatial relationships in the scene.

Which type of fingerprint is visible without the use of any development technique?

Answer: Patent print

Patent prints are already visible to the naked eye because they are made in a contrasting substance such as blood, grease, or paint.