Crime Scene Search and Evidence Collection Test Review
1. What is the definition of forensic science?
2. The crime scene is secured upon arrival. What is the one exception in which people will
be allowed on the scene even before it is photographed?
3. How is the role different for law enforcement vs. First Responders when approaching a
potential crime scene?
4. What is the proper order for crime scene analysis? (Approximately 10 steps)
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5. The evidence collection units of many police departments face same the dilemma that
many grocery shoppers have… “Paper or plastic?” Explain a situation where each would
be helpful and another where each would be detrimental to the preservation of the
evidence.
a. paper:
b. plastic:
6. What is Testimonial or Direct Evidence? Give an example.
7. What is Physical or Indirect Evidence? Give an example.
8. What is needed when looking at physical evidence in order to rule out suspects?
9. What is more reliable when used in court, Physical or Testimonial evidence? Which is
more believable to a jury?
10. Define the following types of physical evidence and give examples of each.
Name
Definition
Examples
Transient
Evidence
Pattern Evidence
Conditional
Evidence
Transfer
Evidence
Associative
Evidence
11. What is the probative value and how can it be increased in a scenario?
12. Classify each of the following examples as either class or individual evidence.
a. A torn T-shirt was found in the back seat of a suspect’s car. Two pieces of torn
cloth were found at the scene of the crime. Can the two pieces be individualized
to the T-shirt? Explain.
b. A note was found at a crime scene at a bank. A notepad with a similar type of
paper was found in the desk of a suspect. Can the note be traced to the pad?
Explain. Can the handwriting be associated to a person? Can fingerprints on the
note be individualized to a person? Explain
c. Some powder was found in a plastic bag in a suspect’s pocket. Some similar
powder was found on the victim. Can the first powder be individualized to the
second powder? Explain. If the two powders were determined to be chemically
identical, does that prove they came from the same source? Explain.
d. If a small piece of paper were cut into four pieces, would the pieces be class or
individual evidence? Explain. Would your answer change if the paper were torn
into 4 pieces?
e. A pair of latex gloves was found at the scene of a robbery. A box of the same
brand of latex gloves was found at a suspect’s home. Can the gloves be
individualized to the box? Explain
13. What is the correct process for taking photos of a crime scene?
14. Fill in the following table based on search patterns and their benefits/when they are used.
Search Type
Sketch of Pattern
Advantage/Time Used
Inward Spiral
Outward Spiral
Parallel Line
Grid
Zone
15. What is a Chain of Custody and why is it important?
16. What is the importance of a final survey before releasing the scene?