MTA Investigation Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a canvass of a crime scene neighborhood, a witness says she 'thinks' she saw a man running at approximately 10 PM. How should you document this statement?
- Record it verbatim, noting her uncertainty (Correct answer)
- Omit it since she is unsure
- Rephrase it as a definitive sighting in your report
- Only include it if corroborated by another witness
Correct answer: Record it verbatim, noting her uncertainty
Witness statements must be recorded accurately, including any qualifications or uncertainty expressed by the witness.
Question 2: When interviewing a reluctant witness at a crime scene, which approach is most effective?
- Threaten arrest if they do not cooperate
- Build rapport and explain the importance of their information (Correct answer)
- Interview them in the presence of other witnesses
- Skip them and rely on physical evidence only
Correct answer: Build rapport and explain the importance of their information
Building rapport and explaining the significance of their cooperation encourages reluctant witnesses to share information voluntarily.
Question 3: An officer arrives at a burglary scene and notices a door was forced open. Which action should be taken FIRST?
- Enter and search for suspects
- Secure and protect the crime scene perimeter (Correct answer)
- Dust the door for fingerprints immediately
- Call a detective before doing anything
Correct answer: Secure and protect the crime scene perimeter
The first priority upon arrival is to secure the scene to prevent contamination of evidence.
Question 4: A suspect invokes their right to counsel during a custodial interrogation. What must the officer do?
- Continue questioning about unrelated crimes
- Immediately cease all questioning until counsel is present (Correct answer)
- Allow a short break and then resume
- Request that a supervisor continue the interview
Correct answer: Immediately cease all questioning until counsel is present
Once a suspect invokes the right to counsel, all interrogation must stop until an attorney is present.
Question 5: Which type of evidence is considered most reliable when identifying a suspect?
- Eyewitness testimony
- Confession without corroboration
- Physical forensic evidence (Correct answer)
- Hearsay statements
Correct answer: Physical forensic evidence
Physical forensic evidence, such as DNA or fingerprints, is considered the most objective and reliable form of identification evidence.
Question 6: When conducting a lineup, why should the officer administering it not know which person is the suspect?
- To save time during the procedure
- To prevent unconscious cues that could influence the witness (Correct answer)
- Because detectives must always run lineups
- To protect the officer from liability
Correct answer: To prevent unconscious cues that could influence the witness
A double-blind lineup prevents the administrator from unintentionally signaling the suspect's identity to the witness.
Question 7: A witness positively identifies a suspect from a photo array but later recants at trial. Which is TRUE about the original identification?
- It is automatically inadmissible
- It may still be admissible as prior identification evidence (Correct answer)
- It must be expunged from the record
- The case must be dismissed
Correct answer: It may still be admissible as prior identification evidence
A prior identification made under proper procedures can be admitted as evidence even if the witness later recants.
MTA Investigation Techniques 2
During a canvass of a crime scene neighborhood, a witness says she 'thinks' she saw a man running at approximately 10 PM.
How should you document this statement?