Criminal Investigations Flashcards
7 cards from real TCOLE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Criminal Investigations flashcards as text
What is 'exculpatory evidence' in a criminal investigation?
Answer: Evidence that tends to prove the suspect's innocence or negate guilt
Exculpatory evidence is any evidence tending to disprove guilt or support the defendant's innocence, and under Brady v. Maryland prosecutors are legally required to disclose it to the defense.
Under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, an arrested person must be brought before a magistrate no later than how many hours after arrest?
Answer: 48 hours
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 15.17 requires that an arrested person be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, but no later than 48 hours after arrest.
When an officer discovers a crime scene that may also be a biohazard, the officer's first priority should be to:
Answer: Secure the scene, limit access, and notify appropriate hazmat personnel
Officer and public safety is always the first priority — securing the scene and notifying hazmat personnel protects responders while preserving evidence integrity.
A 'show-up' identification procedure involves:
Answer: Presenting a single suspect to a witness shortly after the crime occurred
A show-up is when a single suspect is presented to a witness, typically near the crime scene and shortly after the offense, for immediate identification purposes.
Which legal doctrine allows illegally obtained evidence to be admitted if investigators can show it would have been discovered through lawful means anyway?
Answer: Inevitable discovery doctrine
The inevitable discovery doctrine allows illegally obtained evidence to be admitted when the prosecution can demonstrate it would have been discovered through independent lawful investigative means.
When conducting a custodial interrogation of a juvenile suspect in Texas, which of the following is required?
Answer: The interview must be electronically recorded and a parent or guardian must be notified
Texas law requires that custodial interrogations of juveniles be electronically recorded and that a parent or guardian be notified, providing additional protections beyond those afforded to adults.
What is the primary purpose of a 'field interview' (FI) card?
Answer: To document contact details and circumstances about persons of interest encountered during patrol
Field interview cards document the description, location, and circumstances of contacts with persons of interest, creating intelligence records useful for future investigations.