CSI - Crime Scene Investigator Crime Scene Documentation Techniques Questions and Answers

Question 1

An investigator is documenting a crime scene with photography. They take a wide shot of the entire room, then a photo showing the relationship of a firearm to a nearby table, and finally a detailed picture of the firearm's serial number with a scale. This three-step process is known as:

Accepted Answer

Overall, mid-range, and close-up photography

Answer

The standard method for crime scene photography involves taking three types of photographs: overall, mid-range, and close-up. Overall photos capture the entire scene, mid-range photos show the relationship between evidence and fixed objects, and close-up photos detail specific items of evidence.

Question 2

When creating a crime scene sketch, which measurement technique is most commonly used to document the location of evidence by taking two measurements from fixed points to the evidence item, thereby forming a triangle?

Accepted Answer

Triangulation

Answer

Triangulation is a fundamental sketching and mapping method where two measurements are taken from two fixed points (like the corners of a room) to the center of a piece of evidence. This creates a triangle, accurately fixing the evidence's position in the sketch.

Question 3

A CSI is compiling their notes after processing a homicide scene. Which of the following pieces of information is considered an essential element that MUST be included in the crime scene notes?

Accepted Answer

The names of personnel who collected specific items of evidence

Answer

Crime scene notes must be a factual and objective record. Essential details include who discovered, handled, and collected each piece of evidence to maintain the chain of custody. Personal opinions, media presence, and specific equipment brands (unless required by agency policy) are not considered essential documentation for the integrity of the scene itself.

Question 4

During the video documentation of a large outdoor crime scene, the videographer starts by recording the surrounding area, including landmarks and access roads, before slowly moving toward the central area of the scene. What is the primary purpose of this technique?

Accepted Answer

To orient the viewer and show the overall layout and context of the scene

Answer

Videography of a crime scene should start with wide, overall shots to orient the viewer. This provides context for the scene, showing its location relative to surroundings before moving to more specific details, similar to the principle of overall photography.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the main advantage of a crime scene sketch over crime scene photographs?

Accepted Answer

Sketches can accurately represent the spatial relationships and distances between objects.

Answer

While photographs are crucial, they can sometimes distort perspectives and distances. A properly prepared sketch provides an accurate, top-down view with precise measurements that clearly depicts the spatial relationships between items of evidence and key features of the scene.

(CSI) Crime Scene Investigator Practice Test

(CSI) Crime Scene Investigator Practice Test

CSI - Crime Scene Investigator Crime Scene Documentation Techniques Questions and Answers