FDLE - Florida Department of Law Enforcement Evidence and Property Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

An officer responds to a residential burglary. The homeowner points out a pry bar left by the suspect. According to the FDLE Crime Laboratory Evidence Submission Manual, what is the MOST appropriate initial action for the officer to take regarding this piece of evidence?

Accepted Answer

Photograph the pry bar in its original location before collecting it.

Answer

The FDLE Evidence Submission Manual emphasizes the importance of documenting the scene as it appears upon arrival. This includes photographing evidence in its original location before it is moved or collected. This procedure preserves the context of the evidence, which can be crucial for the investigation and subsequent prosecution.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of maintaining a strict 'chain of custody' for all evidence collected?

Accepted Answer

To provide a chronological paper trail of everyone who has handled the evidence, ensuring its integrity and admissibility in court.

Answer

The chain of custody is a critical legal concept that establishes the chronological documentation of the seizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of evidence. A properly maintained chain of custody proves the evidence's integrity and demonstrates that it has not been tampered with, which is essential for it to be admissible in court.

Question 3

An officer seizes a firearm as evidence in a felony investigation. According to standard procedure and the FDLE Crime Laboratory Evidence Submission Manual, how should the firearm and its ammunition be packaged and submitted?

Accepted Answer

The firearm should be rendered safe and unloaded, with the ammunition packaged separately.

Answer

Safety is paramount when handling firearm evidence. The FDLE manual and standard law enforcement procedures require firearms to be unloaded and made safe before packaging. Ammunition must always be packaged separately from the firearm to prevent accidental discharge and ensure safety during transport and storage.

Question 4

Under Florida Statutes, what is the required waiting period after the final disposition of a criminal proceeding before title to unclaimed evidence permanently vests in the law enforcement agency?

Accepted Answer

60 days

Answer

Florida Statute 705.105 states that title to unclaimed evidence shall vest permanently in the law enforcement agency 60 days after the conclusion of the proceeding, provided no claim of ownership has been made.

Question 5

An officer collects wet, blood-stained clothing from a crime scene. To properly preserve the biological evidence, what is the correct procedure before final packaging?

Accepted Answer

The clothing must be thoroughly air-dried in a secure and controlled environment.

Answer

Packaging wet biological evidence in a plastic bag will cause it to degrade due to moisture and bacterial growth, destroying its evidentiary value. The proper procedure is to allow the item to air-dry completely in a secure location, such as a drying room, before packaging it in a breathable container like a paper bag.

FDLE - Florida Department of Law Enforcement Practice Test

FDLE - Florida Department of Law Enforcement Practice Test

FDLE - Florida Department of Law Enforcement Evidence and Property Management Questions and Answers