Ethical Considerations and Confidentiality Flashcards

In the context of law enforcement, 'Brady material' refers to:

Answer: Exculpatory evidence that must be disclosed to the defense

Brady material is exculpatory or impeachment evidence that prosecutors are constitutionally required to disclose to the defense under Brady v. Maryland.

An officer is working with a confidential informant (CI). The officer's primary ethical obligation regarding the CI's identity is to:

Answer: Protect the CI's identity to the greatest extent possible to ensure their safety

Protecting a confidential informant's identity is a core ethical and safety obligation, as disclosure can endanger the informant's life.

Under most state laws and department policies, identifying information about crime victims — especially in sensitive cases like sexual assault — must be:

Answer: Protected from public disclosure to preserve the victim's privacy and dignity

Victim privacy protections — particularly in sexual assault cases — restrict disclosure of identifying information to protect victims from further harm.

Juvenile arrest records are generally treated differently from adult records because:

Answer: The law recognizes rehabilitation over punishment and protects minors from long-term consequences

Juvenile records receive special legal protections to reduce the long-term impact of youthful offenses and support rehabilitation rather than permanent stigma.

An officer who has served on a grand jury is approached by a journalist asking what was discussed. The officer must:

Answer: Decline to reveal any grand jury proceedings, which are legally protected secrets

Grand jury proceedings are legally protected by strict secrecy rules; disclosing them is a criminal offense regardless of the outcome.

When HIPAA regulations intersect with a law enforcement investigation, officers may access protected health information:

Answer: Only under specific legal exceptions such as a court order, warrant, or written authorization

HIPAA allows law enforcement access to protected health information only under specified legal conditions such as court orders, subpoenas, or written authorization.

Maintaining an unbroken chain of custody for evidence is an ethical obligation primarily because it:

Answer: Ensures evidence integrity and protects both the accused's rights and the prosecution's case

A documented chain of custody ensures evidence has not been tampered with, protecting both the defendant's rights and the validity of the prosecution.