Deck 2: First on Scene and Crime Scene Personnel

Question 1

A French Forensic Scientist that theorized the notion of an individual coming in contact with a scene and changing it in some way is known as the Exchange Principle. It has also been summarized as Every contact leaves a trace.

A) Edmond Locard
B) Kastle-Mayer
C) Ruhemann
D) Coomassie

Answer 1

A

Question 2

If the first responder becomes uncertain that a crime actually was committed, the officer should:

A) Start photographing the scene
B) Start evidence collection
C) Treat the location as a crime scene until it is determined otherwise
D) Leave the scene to answer other calls of service

Answer 2

C

Question 3

A crime scene can be any location where a criminal act has been reported, is suspected to have occurred or is evident and includes not only the primary scene but any secondary crime scenes, roadways, vehicles, hospital, and body of a person.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

All of the following are responsibilities of the Initial Responding Officer Except for:

A) Document information provided by individuals and observations
B) Provide emergency care if needed
C) Secure and control the scene, and all those within it
D) Scene photography and sketch/diagramming

Question 5

The main reasons for the use of personal protective equipment is to:

A) Prevent cross contamination and protect personnel
B) Reduce liability and insurance costs
C) Make it easier to walk in a scene and handle equipment
D) None of the above

Question 6

There are four levels of body protection. Which level of body protection is used for environments that have airborne contaminants detected, but little to no threat to the skin or eyes and includes a full or half face respirator, gloves and Tyvek suit?

A) Level A
B) Level B
C) Level C
D) Level D

Question 7

There is no one single "right" way to process a crime scene, but only one chance to get it right!

Question 8

Which of the following is a major task that the first responder must be concerned with?

A) Calling for backup
B) Contacting their supervisor to apprise them of the situation
C) Protecting the crime scene
D) Finding a replacement officer

Question 9

This principle is associated with processing crime scenes and is often summarized as "every contact leaves a trace?"

A) Locard's Exchange Principle
B) Trace Evidence Principle
C) Bertillon's Principle
D) Lacassagne's Principle

Question 10

The purpose of an entry and exit log is to document when the media and spectators visit the scene.

Question 11

When entering an indoor crime scene at a residence, the first responder should proceed with extreme caution early on and concentrate their attention to potential evidence at which locations?

A) The body of a deceased victim and go directly there.
B) Evidence on doors, doorknobs, light switches, and floors that may go unnoticed.
C) Secondary crime locations and scenes.
D) The bedrooms and closets.

Question 12

When a first responder arrives at the scene of a burglary the condition of the doors, windows, lights, odors, shades, signs of activity such as meal preparations, and date & time indicators at a crime scene should be recorded in the officer's notes.

Question 13

When is it appropriate for the first responding officer to move a piece of evidence?

A) When the evidence is a gun
B) When assigned the responsibility of processing the scene for physical evidence
C) Only when the scene is secured
D) If the crime is serious such as a homicide

Question 14

As a first responder, you are called to the scene of a homicide that took place at a park. The proper way to secure the scene is to stand at the crime scene and await the investigator to place traffic cones around the body of the deceased.

Question 15

The position or cluster of _____________ and ____________ may reveal the direction of the shot and possibly the location of the assailant.

A) Bullets, cartridge cases
B) Bullets, fingerprints
C) Cartridge cases, fibers
D) Bullets, firearms

Question 16

The proper procedure when dealing with multiple witnesses at the scene of a crime is to instruct witnesses to discuss the events with each other at the scene. The witnesses should not be separated, and they should be allowed to relate their events so the officer only has to take one version of the story.

Question 17

All of the following are things a first responder should do at a crime scene except:

A) Limit access to the crime scene by using tape and a major incident log.
B) Attempt to identify possible routes used by the suspect.
C) Record changes in conditions especially in regard to your activities (or paramedics')
D) Use entry and exit routes into the scene that the suspect used.

Question 18

The Chief of Police is the first to arrive at the scene of the crime. It is his responsibility to oversee the entire investigation so later on when the first patrol officer arrives on the scene he should assign that officer to be the first responding officer and take action to secure the scene.

Question 19

Supervising and training officers that are tasked with overseeing the training and continuing education of first responders should:

A) Be familiar with the duties and responsibilities of the first responder
B) Be able to fill in or conduct on the job training when necessary
C) Monitor the activities of the first responder and assign training as needed
D) All of the above

Question 20

The duties of the first responder are clear regardless of their rank or seriousness of the crime. They must:

A) Assume that the criminal left clues or physical evidence
B) Not allow their actions or inactions to destroy or change anything at the scene
C) Not inadvertently add material that may mislead investigators
D) All of the above

Question 21

Because conditions and situations can vary greatly from one crime scene to another, it is not possible to set hard and fast rules to govern all situations. However, certain guidelines can be established.

Question 22

The first responding officer arrives at the scene of a burglary in progress call. The first thing the officer should do is:

A) Render first aid to victims
B) Establish the scene boundaries with barrier tape
C) Render the scene safe, as the suspect may still be in the location
D) Establish an Entry/Exit log

Question 23

If a first responder arrives on scene of a violent altercation with multiple injured people, the first task should be to:

A) Secure the scene with barrier tape
B) Render medical aid
C) Call for more officer to secure the scene
D) Establish an entry/exit log

Question 24

After death parts of the body will likely experience a settling of blood which causes the skin to change a purplish red. This is called____________.

A) Rigor mortis
B) Livor mortis
C) Post mortis
D) Ante mortis

Question 25

The body of a deceased person at a crime scene should not be moved until which of the following personnel arrive and take custody of the body?

A) Crime Scene Investigator
B) Medicolegal Investigator
C) First Responder
D) Medical Technician

Question 26

Which of the following are acceptable items used for scene security.

A) Uniformed officer with traffic cones blocking a roadway
B) Marked patrol officer block a roadway
C) Barrier Tape surrounding the property of a house
D) All of the above

Question 27

You are the first responder at the scene of a domestic violence call. Upon your arrival you tend to the injuries of the victim. What is the most appropriate next step you should perform?

A) Search the residence for the suspect and secure the scene
B) Photograph the scene as you found it
C) Collect and package evidence
D) Make a rough sketch of the scene

Question 28

First responders will use marked patrol vehicle, barrier tape, barricades, and other items to cordon off the scene from the following:

A) Media
B) Onlookers
C) Unauthorized personnel
D) All of the above

Question 29

When a first responder enters a crime scene for the first time an effort must be made to observe and record details, particularly those that are fleeting. ___________, such as cigarette smoke, ignitable fluids, burned gunpowder, decomposition, etc. are all examples of observations that may not be observed by an investigator that arrives later.

A) Odors
B) Signs of violence
C) Messages
D) Time indicators

Question 30

The _________ are personnel specially trained to respond to scenes of crime, search for physical evidence, collect evidence, document the scene, and record the scene for potential future reconstruction.

A) Forensic Analyst
B) Crime Scene Investigator
C) Evidence Technician
D) First Responder

Question 31

The seven key objectives of a crime scene investigation include: 1. Reconstruct the incident, 2. Ascertain the sequence of events, 3. Determine the mode of operation, 4. Uncover a motive, 5. Discover what property was stolen, 6. Find out all that the criminal may have done, 7. Recover physical evidence of the crime.

Question 32

The notion of _______________ in criminal investigations is a key factor to the solution of the case.

A) Experience
B) Expertise
C) Teamwork
D) Duty

Question 33

Suicides do not need to be investigated with the same attention to detail as a homicide because the suspect is also the victim and there is an absence of intent by another to commit the crime.

Question 34

Which of the following can be an immediate benefit of doing a complete and thorough crime scene investigation?

A) The guilty are punished
B) The case can be closed
C) Statements of witnesses, and confession of suspect can be corroborated
D) A victim can find closure

Question 35

What important lesson can be learned from the O.J. Simpson trial?

A) Appearance and perception, as well as the ability to communicate effectively to the jury are equally important.
B) CSI's must never make mistakes or the trial can be easily lost.
C) Detectives must never consider the economic status of the suspect when undertaking a criminal investigation.
D) Only the most experienced personnel should be used in high profile cases.

Question 36

Standard procedures for crime scene investigation are not useful because there are always cases where they cannot be followed.

Question 37

The report issued by the National Academy of Sciences has focused attention on which of the following?

A) Work performed at the crime scene
B) Work performed at the Forensic Laboratory
C) The prosecutor
D) The supervision of the crime scene unit

Question 38

The start of the crime scene investigation begins with documenting the scene as it was found. Which of the following is not a form of documentation?

A) Photography
B) Sketches
C) Radio Communication with dispatch
D) Note taking

Question 39

Well-written, ___________ notes are invaluable later in the investigation and especially at the time of trial.

A) Handwritten
B) Typed
C) Contemporaneous
D) Historical

Question 40

During a homicide investigation, a preliminary walk-through and inspection of which of the following can provide valuable contextual information before conducting a crime scene search.

A) The body to suggest the mode of death
B) The outer perimeter of the scene
C) The entry and exit paths
D) The weapon

Question 41

Where is the most appropriate location for the disposal of trash at a crime scene?

A) At the command vehicle
B) Within the scene to save time
C) Second perimeter of the scene
D) An area established outside the central scene for supplies

Question 42

A crime scene investigation can have multiple objectives. All of the following are objectives of the crime scene investigation except for:

A) Reconstruct the incident
B) Put the perpetrator in jail
C) Ascertain the sequence of events
D) Recover physical evidence of the crime

Question 43

Essential qualities of a good crime scene investigator include: intuition and an eye on what needs to be done in every situation, thorough knowledge of the methods of locating and preserving physical evidence, _______________.

A) And understand the capabilities of the forensic laboratory in their jurisdiction.
B) And contact information for all law enforcement in their area
C) And advanced training in DNA and trace evidence
D) And advanced knowledge of laws and statutes in their area.

Question 44

Before any actual work at the scene begins, an investigator should try to stand back at an appropriate vantage point on the periphery of the scene and formulate a systematic plan, considering all of the following except:

A) How the search should be conducted.
B) What needs to be photographed at the scene.
C) How long the investigation will take and how much overtime incurred.
D) Where the possible sources of physical evidence are located.

Question 45

Crime Scene Investigators should attempt to work according to an established routine that does not vary greatly from case to case. Which of the following is the best method?

A) Start at the entry point and finish at the exit point
B) Start at the point of entry and work clockwise
C) Start at the point of entry and work counter-clockwise
D) All of the above are suitable methods and there is no one best method

Question 46

The crime scene investigator should divulge information immediately to the news media because research has shown that suspects are more likely to be turned in by family and friends. This early action prevents suspects from destroying critical evidence.

Question 47

You are tasked with preventing fellow officers who are not assigned to the case from entering the crime scene, which is the most appropriate action you should take?

A) Establish an entry/exit log
B) Ignore it
C) Notify dispatch to make announcement
D) File an internal affairs report