State Trooper Investigation Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the proper procedure for collecting DNA evidence at a crime scene?
- Wear fresh gloves for each item, use sterile swabs, allow samples to air dry, and package in paper containers (Correct answer)
- Collect samples bare-handed to avoid glove powder contamination
- Package all DNA evidence in sealed plastic bags
- DNA evidence does not require special handling
Correct answer: Wear fresh gloves for each item, use sterile swabs, allow samples to air dry, and package in paper containers
DNA evidence requires careful handling to prevent contamination and degradation.
Proper collection requires fresh gloves per item, sterile swabs, air drying, and paper packaging. Plastic traps moisture and promotes bacterial growth that degrades DNA.
Question 2: What is a 'search warrant return' and when must it be completed?
- A document filed with the issuing court detailing items seized, typically required within a specific timeframe (Correct answer)
- The act of returning to search a location a second time
- A form requesting an extension on an existing warrant
- A notification sent to the property owner after the search
Correct answer: A document filed with the issuing court detailing items seized, typically required within a specific timeframe
The search warrant return reports back to the court on what was found during the authorized search.
After executing a search warrant, officers must file a return with the issuing court documenting items seized. Failure to file can result in suppression of evidence.
Question 3: What is evidence contamination and how does it affect a case?
- Unauthorized handling or improper storage that raises questions about integrity, potentially making evidence inadmissible (Correct answer)
- Linking evidence from multiple crime scenes together
- Testing evidence at multiple laboratories
- Sharing evidence with the defense during discovery
Correct answer: Unauthorized handling or improper storage that raises questions about integrity, potentially making evidence inadmissible
Contamination can render key evidence inadmissible, potentially destroying the prosecution's case.
Evidence contamination includes biological contamination, environmental damage, cross-contamination between items, and documentation gaps, any of which can result in evidence exclusion.
Question 4: What is the role of a case file in organizing an investigation?
- The comprehensive repository of all documents, evidence records, reports, and notes related to the investigation (Correct answer)
- It is only used in federal investigations
- It contains only the final investigation report
- It is a digital-only record on the department's server
Correct answer: The comprehensive repository of all documents, evidence records, reports, and notes related to the investigation
The case file is the complete record of an investigation, essential for prosecution and review.
A properly organized case file contains all documentation: reports, witness statements, evidence logs, photographs, lab results, warrant documents, and correspondence.
Question 5: What is the 'totality of the circumstances' test in criminal investigations?
- A holistic evaluation of all facts and circumstances to determine whether a legal standard has been met (Correct answer)
- A requirement to investigate every possible lead
- A test measuring the total amount of evidence collected
- A method for calculating the total cost of an investigation
Correct answer: A holistic evaluation of all facts and circumstances to determine whether a legal standard has been met
Courts evaluate legal standards by examining all facts together, not in isolation.
The totality of the circumstances test, from Illinois v. Gates (1983), evaluates whether a legal standard has been met by examining all relevant facts as a whole.
Question 6: How should a trooper handle a witness who is reluctant to provide a statement?
- Explain the importance of cooperation, address their concerns, and document the encounter even if they refuse (Correct answer)
- Threaten them with arrest for obstruction
- Ignore reluctant witnesses and focus on cooperative ones
- Force them to provide a written statement
Correct answer: Explain the importance of cooperation, address their concerns, and document the encounter even if they refuse
Building rapport and addressing concerns can overcome reluctance, but witnesses generally cannot be compelled to speak.
Reluctant witnesses may fear retaliation or distrust police. Approaches include building rapport, addressing concerns, offering witness protection information, and documenting the encounter.
State Trooper Investigation Procedures 3
What is the proper procedure for collecting DNA evidence at a crime scene?