Deck 20: Report Writing, Testimony and the Future

Question 1

When testifying as an expert you do not need to answer any question with a yes or no. You can explain your rationale.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Once a digital file has been deleted there is no possible way to recover any of the information that was deleted.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

When encountering a computer or any type of computer equipment or data devices (CD's, USB drives, portable hard drives, PDA's, memory cards, smart phones, etc.) at a crime scene, the most important thing to remember is to hurry and immediately unplug the device if it is on and transport to the computer crimes unit immediately.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

You arrive at the scene of a crime and are tasked with collecting computer and digital evidence. There are other police officers at the scene that are assigned to assist you. What is the most appropriate step to take next?

A) Ask each officer to take a device and bring it to the agency vehicle for transport.
B) Clear the area of all personnel and contact the computer crimes unit for directions.
C) Immediately disconnect or turn off all devices and hand them to the other officers to bring to the agency vehicle for transport.
D) Ask the suspect how to turn off and disconnect the device.

Question 5

If you are properly trained in the collection computer and digital evidence and tasked with doing so at a crime scene, all of the following steps should be taken except for:

A) If the system involves a network, do not unplug them. Contact an expert.
B) Take photos of the front and rear of all computers where cables are attached.
C) Turn on and review all the content on the computer so if it is lost later you can testify that you saw it.
D) Before disconnecting cables, label all connectors and computer connections with numbers or letters. Disconnect as few cables as possible. It may be necessary to disconnect some to avoid unsafe or heavy lifting, but usually one end of the cable can be disconnected, leaving the other end attached to a device.

Question 6

Video surveillance technology used for businesses and residences is a commonplace occurrence. When it is determined that there may be evidence recorded on the video recorder, what is the most appropriate action?

A) Stop the recorder, note if the time on the recorder is accurate, take note of the manufacturer, model, and recording settings, and collect the entire unit if the unit has a digital hard drive. Although tapes are not common, if it is a tape-recording device the tape can be collected.
B) Stop the recording and unplug the device. Contact computer crimes with regard to the next step.
C) After reviewing the video, ask the victim or business owner to shut the unit down and copy the recording from the hard drive to a disc.
D) Do not touch the device and ask the owner to send you a copy of the recording at a later time.

Question 7

From a video analyst's perspective, the most common errors are as follows except for:

A) A tape that has been paused on the critical image for a long period of time for study and is thereby ruined for forensic analysis.
B) Only a portion of a recording is analyzed by additional or corroborating information that appears in earlier parts of the recording.
C) The original is secured as evidence and stored where it will not be damaged by magnetic fields, heat, or humidity.
D) The digital video is in a proprietary compressed format and the software was not obtained to view the file.

Question 8

A cell phone is collected at a crime scene and you are tasked with determining the workflow for the phone to obtain fingerprints, DNA, and to recover data from the device. Which is the most common sequence of events to maximize evidence recovery when all three are equally needed to advance the investigation?

A) Swab for DNA, download the data from the phone, and then process for fingerprints using one-time use powders.
B) Download the data from the phone, swab for DNA, and process for fingerprints.
C) Process for fingerprints using one-time use powders, swab for DNA, and download the data from the phone.
D) Download the data from the phone, process for fingerprints, and swab for DNA.

Question 9

An expert witness must be able to demonstrate all of the following to the court except for:

A) Knowledge and experience in their area of specialization
B) Education and training in their area of specialization
C) Continued activity and participation with professional organizations within the field of specialization
D) A Masters Degree of Forensic Science

Question 10

Unlike an expert witness that is allowed to provide conclusions based on specialized knowledge and training, a lay witness provides testimony that is more strictly based on:

A) Scientific Methodology
B) Personal experience or Knowledge of the case
C) Personal opinions
D) Personal experience of others

Question 11

It is not the responsibility of the forensic practitioner to testify as an expert in court, but to testify as a lay witness only.

Question 12

It is the responsibility of the Crime Scene Investigator to testify as an expert in court and prove to the jury that the suspect is guilty.

Question 13

You are called upon to testify as an expert witness in court. The morning of your court date you are choosing what to wear for your appearance in court. Which of the following is the best choice of clothing?

A) Casual wear
B) Business casual
C) Professional/Business garments
D) It doesn't matter, any of the above are acceptable

Question 14

The specialized topic knowledge and experience of the expert witness must be ___________ that of the jury.

A) Less than
B) Equal to
C) Greater than
D) Matched with

Question 15

When testifying as an expert in court the Crime Scene Investigator is obligated to __________.

A) Prove the suspect is guilty
B) Advocate the truth
C) Answer only yes and no to questions
D) Affirm the defense attorney's theory

Question 16

Much like photography, the admissibility of sketches and diagrams in a court of law depends upon establishing its authenticity and that the sketch is a true and accurate representation of the original scene.