Practice Exam: Criminalistics - Crime Scene Investigation Techniques (Set 58)
A 30-question practice exam covering crime scene processing, evidence collection, and forensic procedures.
1. What is the most critical and primary responsibility of the first responding officer upon arriving at a crime scene?
A.Immediately collect all visible evidence
B.Secure the scene and preserve life
C.Detain and question all potential suspects
D.Cordon off the area with at least a 50-meter perimeter
2. A large, open field where a victim was found requires a systematic search. Which search pattern is most effective for this type of scene?
A.Spiral Search
B.Zone/Quadrant Search
C.Strip or Line Search
D.Grid Search
3. In a bombing incident that has resulted in a widely scattered debris field, which search pattern is generally considered the most thorough?
A.Spiral Search
B.Strip Search
C.Grid Search
D.Zone Search
4. Which of the following is the main purpose of establishing an inner and outer perimeter at a crime scene?
A.To create a staging area for media and onlookers
B.To control the entry and exit of personnel and prevent evidence contamination
C.To comply with standard operating procedures, regardless of scene size
D.To guide the search pattern that will be used by investigators
5. A homicide occurs inside a small apartment bedroom. Which search method would be most practical and effective for a single investigator to use?
A.Line Search
B.Spiral Search
C.Zone Search
D.Grid Search
6. The "Zone" or "Quadrant" search pattern is best suited for which type of crime scene?
A.A single, open-air field
B.A house with multiple rooms or a car
C.A long, narrow hallway
D.A scene with minimal physical evidence
7. What is the primary purpose of a crime scene log?
A.To document all evidence collected at the scene
B.To serve as the lead investigator's personal notebook
C.To record the names and times of all individuals who enter or exit the secured area
D.To map out the dimensions of the crime scene
8. Who is typically responsible for giving the "all clear" to release a crime scene back to the property owner?
A.The first responding officer
B.The District Attorney or Prosecutor
C.The lead investigator or investigator-on-case
D.The forensic laboratory director
9. Which search pattern is a variation of the Strip Search and is often called a "Double Strip Search"?
A.Zone Search
B.Grid Search
C.Spiral Search
D.Wheel Search
10. When securing a crime scene, the "hot zone" or inner perimeter should ideally contain:
A.All witnesses and first responders
B.The command post and emergency vehicles
C.The core area where the crime was committed and contains the most evidence
D.A safe area for media briefings
11. What is the single most important document associated with a piece of physical evidence, which documents its possession from seizure to courtroom presentation?
A.Evidence Submission Form
B.Chain of Custody
C.Property Receipt
D.The initial police report
12. A blood-soaked shirt is found at a crime scene. What is the correct procedure for packaging this item?
A.Place it immediately into a sealed plastic bag to preserve the blood.
B.Allow it to air-dry completely in a sterile environment before packaging it in a paper bag.
C.Fold it neatly and place it in the trunk of the police car for transport.
D.Spray it with a preservative chemical before bagging it in plastic.
13. Trace evidence such as hair or fibers should be packaged in what manner to prevent its loss?
A.A large evidence box
B.A standard paper evidence bag
C.A druggist's fold (or "bindle") placed inside another container
D.A plastic zip-top bag
14. What is the primary reason for using paper bags or cardboard boxes instead of plastic for packaging biological evidence?
A.Paper is porous and allows evidence to breathe, preventing degradation from moisture.
B.Paper is significantly cheaper than plastic for police departments.
C.Paper is opaque, which protects the evidence from light damage.
D.Paper is easier to write on and label than plastic.
15. A firearm recovered from a crime scene should be handled and packaged by:
A.Placing a pen inside the barrel to pick it up.
B.Picking it up by the trigger guard or checkered grips and placing it in a sturdy cardboard box.
C.Immediately unloading all ammunition before packaging.
D.Wiping it down to remove any stray fingerprints not belonging to the suspect.
16. What is the purpose of an evidence seal on a package?
A.To make the package look official for court presentation.
B.To provide a space for the case number and item description.
C.To ensure the integrity of the evidence by showing if the container has been opened.
D.To adhere to health and safety regulations for biohazards.
17. How should evidence from a suspected arson scene, such as a piece of carpet with accelerant, be collected and preserved?
A.In a porous paper bag to let fumes dissipate.
B.In a plastic bag that is tightly sealed with tape.
C.In a clean, unlined paint can or a sealable glass jar.
D.Wrapped tightly in aluminum foil.
18. Each evidence container should be labeled with, at a minimum, which set of information?
A.The suspect's name and the date of the crime.
B.The lead investigator's badge number and the address of the crime scene.
C.The case number, item number, date/time of collection, collector's name, and a description of the item.
D.The forensic lab's address and the type of analysis requested.
19. On which type of surface is cyanoacrylate (superglue) fuming most effective for developing latent prints?
A.Paper and cardboard
B.Unfinished wood
C.Plastic bags, metal, and glass
D.Human skin
20. Ninhydrin is a chemical used to develop latent fingerprints on porous surfaces. It reacts with which component of fingerprint residue?
A.Fats and lipids
B.Amino acids
C.Water and salts
D.Sugars
21. An investigator wants to dust for fingerprints on a dark-colored, non-porous countertop. What type of powder should be used?
A.Black powder
B.Magnetic powder
C.White or gray powder
D.Fluorescent powder
22. What does the acronym AFIS stand for?
A.Automated Fingerprint Identification System
B.Automatic Forensic Imaging Service
C.Advanced Fingerprint Information System
D.Associated Forensic Investigation Services
23. What is the primary advantage of using fluorescent powders and an alternate light source (ALS) to find latent prints?
A.It is faster than using traditional black powder.
B.It can reveal prints on multi-colored or confusing backgrounds where normal powders would be hard to see.
C.It is less destructive to the evidence than other methods.
D.It reacts with a wider range of chemicals in the fingerprint residue.
24. After a print has been visualized with ninhydrin on a document, what is the next logical step for the examiner?
A.Dust the document with magnetic powder.
B.Fume the document with cyanoacrylate.
C.Photograph the developed print.
D.Submit the document for DNA analysis.
25. The statement "Every contact leaves a trace" is the basis of forensic science and is known as:
A.The Theory of Transfer
B.The Principle of Individuality
C.Locard's Exchange Principle
D.The Bertillon System
26. A suspect's shoe print is found in the soil at a crime scene. What is the correct procedure for collecting this evidence?
A.Use tape to lift the impression from the soil.
B.Photograph it with a scale and then cast it with dental stone.
C.Scrape the impression into a paper bag.
D.Dig up the entire shoe print with a shovel.
27. Hairs and fibers are considered what type of evidence?
A.Individual evidence
B.Class evidence
C.Testimonial evidence
D.Questioned documents
28. What is the primary purpose of collecting control samples of soil from areas near a crime scene?
A.To have extra soil in case the primary sample is lost.
B.To determine the natural variation of the soil in the area for comparison with soil found on a suspect.
C.To test the soil for the presence of chemicals.
D.To create a larger evidence sample for the lab.
29. When a glass window is broken by a projectile, the radiating fracture lines will:
A.Form on the side opposite the impact.
B.Terminate at existing fracture lines.
C.Always be perfectly straight.
D.Be fewer in number than the concentric fractures.
30. A victim is found with blue carpet fibers on their clothing, and the suspect owns a car with the same type of blue carpet. This is a classic example of:
A.The Bertillon System
B.The principle of confirmation bias
C.Locard's Exchange Principle
D.The Frye Standard