MTA Investigation Techniques 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An officer responds to a reported assault. The victim has visible injuries. What should be done before the victim is treated by paramedics if possible?
- Have the victim write their own statement
- Photograph the injuries to document them (Correct answer)
- Detain the victim pending investigation
- Administer a polygraph examination
Correct answer: Photograph the injuries to document them
Injuries should be photographed prior to medical treatment when possible, as treatment may alter the appearance of wounds.
Question 2: Which of the following is the BEST example of circumstantial evidence in a theft case?
- A witness who saw the defendant take the item
- Surveillance footage of the theft
- Finding the stolen item in the defendant's home (Correct answer)
- The victim's testimony describing the loss
Correct answer: Finding the stolen item in the defendant's home
Finding stolen property in the defendant's possession is circumstantial evidence that requires inference to connect the defendant to the crime.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'show-up' identification procedure?
- To formally charge a suspect in court
- To allow a witness to view a single suspect shortly after a crime for quick identification (Correct answer)
- To conduct a full lineup at the precinct
- To allow the victim to view mug shots
Correct answer: To allow a witness to view a single suspect shortly after a crime for quick identification
A show-up is a prompt, on-scene identification procedure where a witness views a single suspect shortly after the crime occurs.
Question 4: During a drug investigation, an undercover officer purchases narcotics from a suspect. The officer did NOT suggest or pressure the purchase. This is an example of:
- Entrapment
- A legal undercover operation (Correct answer)
- An illegal sting operation
- Misconduct requiring an Internal Affairs report
Correct answer: A legal undercover operation
Entrapment requires that the government induced an unwilling person to commit a crime; if the suspect was predisposed, the operation is legal.
Question 5: A detective is reviewing surveillance footage from a robbery. The footage is blurry. What is the BEST next step?
- Discard the footage as unusable
- Submit it to a forensic video analyst for enhancement (Correct answer)
- Rely solely on witness descriptions
- Use the footage to make an arrest immediately
Correct answer: Submit it to a forensic video analyst for enhancement
Forensic video analysts can enhance footage using specialized software that may reveal details not visible to the naked eye.
Question 6: When writing a police report about an investigation, which of the following should be avoided?
- Using the first person
- Including precise times and dates
- Using jargon or abbreviations without explanation (Correct answer)
- Quoting witnesses directly
Correct answer: Using jargon or abbreviations without explanation
Reports should use clear, plain language; undefined jargon and unexplained abbreviations can confuse readers and weaken the report in court.
Question 7: An officer suspects a vehicle in a parking lot was used in a robbery but lacks probable cause for a full search. What is the officer permitted to do?
- Search the entire vehicle based on reasonable suspicion
- Conduct a limited exterior examination and run the plate (Correct answer)
- Break a window to check the interior
- Impound the vehicle without documentation
Correct answer: Conduct a limited exterior examination and run the plate
Without probable cause, an officer may conduct a non-invasive exterior observation and run the license plate through databases.
MTA Investigation Techniques 5
An officer responds to a reported assault.
The victim has visible injuries.
What should be done before the victim is treated by paramedics if possible?