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Trauma and Crime Scene Technician study materials
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Trauma and Crime Scene Technician practice questions

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Question 1Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

A technician must enter a residence where a body has been decomposing for several days. Which PPE combination best addresses the airborne and contact hazards present?

  1. Cloth work gloves and a reusable cloth gown
  2. Face shield alone with bare hands for dexterity
  3. N95 or higher respirator, nitrile gloves, fluid-resistant coveralls, and eye protection Correct answer.
  4. Surgical mask, cotton gloves, and a cloth apron

Explanation

Decomposition scenes present both airborne biological aerosols and heavy surface contamination, so respiratory protection at N95 or higher must be paired with impermeable body covering, gloves, and eye protection. A single barrier leaves a route of exposure open. Fluid-resistant coveralls protect clothing and skin from bloodborne and putrefactive fluids.

Question 2Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which element must an employer's written exposure control plan include?

  1. The department's annual budget for equipment
  2. A copy of the local penal code
  3. A list of all employees' home addresses
  4. The methods and schedule for implementing the standard, including HBV vaccination and post-exposure evaluation Correct answer.

Explanation

The exposure control plan must describe how the employer will implement the standard, covering exposure determination, methods of compliance, hepatitis B vaccination, communication of hazards, and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up. It is a living document reviewed at least annually. Personal or budgetary details are not required elements.

Question 3Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

A crime scene technician is exposed to a needlestick while recovering syringes from a scene. What is the correct first action after immediate wound care?

  1. Disinfect the wound with bleach and take no further steps
  2. Report the exposure promptly so source evaluation and post-exposure prophylaxis can be considered Correct answer.
  3. Wait to see whether symptoms develop before reporting
  4. Discard the syringe and finish processing the scene first

Explanation

Post-exposure management depends on timely reporting so the source can be evaluated and prophylaxis, where indicated, started within the effective window. Delaying to observe for symptoms forfeits the benefit of early intervention. Wound care and reporting are both part of the same immediate response.

Question 4Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which practice most directly prevents the transfer of biological material from gloves to a shared scene log or radio?

  1. Using hand sanitizer over gloves
  2. Wiping gloves on a towel between tasks
  3. Removing or changing contaminated gloves before touching clean items Correct answer.
  4. Wearing two pairs of gloves at all times

Explanation

Cross-contamination is controlled by treating gloves as contaminated once they contact biological material and doffing or changing them before handling clean equipment or paperwork. This is the core of the clean/dirty boundary in scene work. Layering gloves does not remove the need to change them at the boundary.

Question 5Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

What is the primary purpose of a biological hazard label on a specimen container?

  1. To indicate the container's monetary value
  2. To warn of the presence of potentially infectious material so handlers use appropriate precautions Correct answer.
  3. To record the collecting technician's badge number
  4. To show the specimen's priority in the laboratory queue

Explanation

Biological hazard labeling communicates the presence of potentially infectious material so anyone handling the container adopts appropriate precautions. It is a hazard communication function, not an administrative one. Proper labeling reduces exposure risk during transport and storage.

Question 6Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which statement correctly describes standard precautions at a crime scene?

  1. They apply only to laboratory staff
  2. They treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious regardless of known diagnosis Correct answer.
  3. They are optional if the technician wears a uniform
  4. They apply only when a body is present

Explanation

Standard precautions assume that all blood and body fluids are potentially infectious, so precautions are applied uniformly rather than based on assumed diagnosis. This removes the need to predict which sources carry pathogens. The principle applies to all personnel with exposure risk, not only laboratory staff.

Question 7Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

A technician is processing an outdoor scene in freezing weather and must wear heavy gloves. Which approach best balances dexterity with protection?

  1. Use a cut-resistant outer glove over a nitrile barrier glove to preserve both protection and grip Correct answer.
  2. Apply barrier cream and work bare-handed
  3. Wear only cotton gloves for warmth
  4. Remove gloves entirely to improve fine motor control

Explanation

Layering a barrier glove under a cut-resistant outer glove preserves fluid protection while improving grip and reducing injury risk in cold conditions. Removing protection for dexterity creates an unacceptable exposure. Barrier creams do not substitute for gloves.

Question 8Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which action correctly follows the principle of securing a potentially contaminated sharps item found at a scene?

  1. Carry the loose item in a pocket to the evidence room
  2. Wrap the item loosely in a paper towel
  3. Recap the needle by hand before placing it in a rigid container
  4. Pick the item up with tongs or forceps and place it directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container Correct answer.

Explanation

Sharps should be handled with tools and placed directly into a puncture-resistant container without recapping or hand manipulation. This avoids the most common needlestick mechanisms. Loose or improvised packaging does not prevent puncture.

Question 9Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

A technician's gloves are visibly torn while handling blood-soaked clothing. What is the correct immediate sequence?

  1. Continue working and change gloves at the end of the shift
  2. Stop, remove the torn gloves, perform hand hygiene, and don new gloves before continuing Correct answer.
  3. Tape the tear and keep working
  4. Rinse the gloves with water and continue

Explanation

A torn glove no longer provides a barrier, so work must stop, the damaged gloves removed, hands cleaned, and fresh gloves donned before continuing. Continuing with a breach defeats the purpose of PPE. Taping or rinsing does not restore an intact barrier.

Question 10Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which factor most influences the selection of respiratory protection when entering a scene with visible airborne particulate from decomposition?

  1. The price of the respirator
  2. The number of personnel on scene
  3. The assigned protection factor of the respirator relative to the contaminant and exposure level Correct answer.
  4. The color of the respirator cartridge

Explanation

Respirator selection depends on the contaminant and the protection factor the device provides relative to the exposure, ensuring the wearer's exposure stays below applicable limits. Color coding and cost are secondary considerations. Staffing levels do not determine the required protection factor.

Question 11Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

A technician must clean reusable scene equipment after use. Which practice reflects correct decontamination order?

  1. Clean visible soil first, then apply an appropriate disinfectant at the correct contact time Correct answer.
  2. Store equipment soiled until the next shift
  3. Apply disinfectant over heavy soil and wipe immediately
  4. Rinse with water only and air dry

Explanation

Effective decontamination requires removing visible organic soil first because soil inactivates disinfectants, then applying the disinfectant for its labeled contact time. Skipping soil removal or shortening contact time leaves pathogens viable. Water alone does not disinfect.

Question 12Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which statement best describes the role of a post-exposure evaluation after a technician sustains a mucous membrane splash with blood?

  1. It is a confidential medical evaluation to determine appropriate follow-up and prophylaxis Correct answer.
  2. It is only required if the source is known to be infected
  3. It is a public record posted for the department
  4. It is a disciplinary review of the technician's technique

Explanation

Post-exposure evaluation is a confidential medical process that determines the need for testing, counseling, and prophylaxis based on the exposure and source status. It is not a performance review and does not depend on prior knowledge of infection. Confidentiality is a required feature of the process.

Question 13Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which measure most effectively reduces the risk of transmitting pathogens from a scene to a technician's vehicle and home?

  1. Storing contaminated items loose in the trunk
  2. Riding home in the same clothes used on scene
  3. Establishing a clean/dirty zone and bagging contaminated PPE and equipment before transport Correct answer.
  4. Changing uniforms only at the end of the week

Explanation

A defined clean/dirty boundary with proper bagging of contaminated items prevents pathogens from traveling into vehicles and living spaces. Contaminated PPE and equipment should be contained before transport. Weekly uniform changes and loose storage allow contamination to spread.

Question 14Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

A technician is asked to document a scene where fentanyl powder is suspected. Which precaution is most appropriate in addition to standard precautions?

  1. Taste a small amount to confirm the substance
  2. Ignore it because standard precautions cover all hazards
  3. Brush the powder away with a bare hand
  4. Avoid direct contact and inhalation of the powder, use gloves, and do not field-test suspected fentanyl by hand Correct answer.

Explanation

Suspected fentanyl presents a severe toxicity hazard through skin contact and inhalation, requiring avoidance of direct contact, gloves, and no field testing by hand or taste. Standard precautions address biological hazards but do not by themselves control this chemical toxicity. Field identification should use appropriate testing methods and personnel.

Question 15Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which practice correctly applies the concept of hand hygiene in glove use?

  1. Hand hygiene is only needed after handling visible blood
  2. Gloves should be washed with soap and reused
  3. Gloves replace the need for hand hygiene
  4. Hand hygiene is performed before donning and after doffing gloves Correct answer.

Explanation

Hand hygiene before donning and after doffing gloves prevents contamination of the gloves and removes contamination that may occur during removal. Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene. Washing and reusing disposable gloves compromises the barrier.

Question 16Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

A technician must transport a liquid blood sample from a scene to the laboratory. Which packaging approach best meets biohazard transport expectations?

  1. A single plastic bag with the sample loose inside
  2. A leakproof primary container wrapped in absorbent material inside a durable secondary container Correct answer.
  3. An open cup carried by hand
  4. A paper envelope sealed with tape

Explanation

Biological specimen transport uses a leakproof primary container, absorbent material to contain spills, and a durable secondary container to protect against breakage. This layered approach contains leaks and prevents exposure during transport. Loose, paper, or open packaging cannot contain a spill.

Question 17Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which statement correctly distinguishes cleaning from disinfection?

  1. Cleaning removes visible soil, while disinfection reduces pathogens on surfaces Correct answer.
  2. Disinfection removes visible soil, while cleaning kills spores
  3. Cleaning sterilizes equipment for surgical use
  4. Cleaning and disinfection are identical processes

Explanation

Cleaning physically removes visible soil and organic matter, while disinfection reduces or eliminates pathogens on surfaces after cleaning. The two are sequential and distinct steps. Sterilization is a separate, higher-level process.

Question 18Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

A technician notices a strong chemical odor and eye irritation while processing an indoor scene. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

  1. Open a window and keep working without respiratory protection
  2. Continue working and note the odor in the report
  3. Apply more disinfectant to mask the odor
  4. Evacuate to fresh air, notify a supervisor, and identify the source before re-entry Correct answer.

Explanation

Unexplained chemical odors with irritation suggest a hazardous atmosphere, so personnel should move to fresh air, notify a supervisor, and identify and control the source before re-entry. Continuing work risks serious exposure. Adding chemicals can worsen the hazard.

Question 19Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which element is essential when establishing a decontamination corridor at a scene?

  1. Removing all signage to avoid confusion
  2. A single open path with no defined zones
  3. Placing clean equipment inside the dirty zone
  4. Clearly marked dirty, transition, and clean zones with controlled movement Correct answer.

Explanation

A decontamination corridor works by separating dirty, transition, and clean zones with controlled one-way movement so contamination does not migrate to clean areas. Clear marking supports compliance. Mixing clean equipment into the dirty zone defeats the separation.

Question 20Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

A technician with a documented latex allergy is assigned to a scene. Which adjustment best protects the technician while maintaining barrier protection?

  1. Use powdered latex gloves for easier donning
  2. Work bare-handed to avoid the allergen
  3. Substitute nitrile or other non-latex gloves of equivalent barrier quality Correct answer.
  4. Wear cotton gloves under latex gloves

Explanation

The appropriate accommodation is a non-latex glove with equivalent barrier performance, such as nitrile, which protects both the technician and the evidence. Powdered latex increases airborne allergen exposure. Working bare-handed or layering cotton does not provide an adequate barrier.

Question 21Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which reasoning best explains why standard precautions are applied even when a source's infection status is unknown at a scene?

  1. Because testing every source is impossible before contact, so all fluids are treated as infectious Correct answer.
  2. Because only known carriers pose a risk
  3. Because precautions are required only after diagnosis
  4. Because gloves are inexpensive

Explanation

Since infection status cannot be reliably known before contact, standard precautions treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious. This removes dependence on diagnosis and closes the gap during the critical early handling period. Cost and known-carrier status are not the rationale.

Question 22Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

A scene contains visible mold growth and standing water in a confined basement. Which combined hazard assessment is most appropriate before entry?

  1. Enter quickly to limit exposure time
  2. Assume the water is clean because it is clear
  3. Treat it as a biological hazard only and enter with gloves
  4. Evaluate both biological (mold, contaminated water) and physical (slip, confined-space, electrical) hazards and control them before entry Correct answer.

Explanation

A flooded, moldy basement presents biological hazards from mold and contaminated water plus physical hazards such as slips, confined-space conditions, and electrical risk. A combined assessment controls all routes of harm before entry. Clear water is not an indicator of safety.

Question 23Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which statement best reflects the correct use of a disinfectant labeled for a specific contact time?

  1. Contact time applies only to porous surfaces
  2. Contact time can be halved if the disinfectant is doubled in strength
  3. The surface may be wiped dry immediately after application
  4. The surface must remain wet with the disinfectant for the full labeled contact time Correct answer.

Explanation

A disinfectant achieves its labeled microbial reduction only when the surface stays wet for the full contact time. Wiping dry early or altering concentration invalidates the claim. Contact time requirements apply to the labeled use conditions, not selectively to porous surfaces.

Question 24Scene Safety, Biohazard and Occupational Health

Which action best demonstrates correct doffing order to minimize self-contamination after scene work?

  1. Remove the respirator first, then gloves, then gown
  2. Remove all PPE simultaneously in one motion
  3. Remove gloves and gown, perform hand hygiene, then remove eye and respiratory protection last Correct answer.
  4. Remove eye protection by touching the front lens

Explanation

Doffing removes the most contaminated items first, with hand hygiene before handling face and respiratory protection, which are removed last to avoid contaminating the face. Simultaneous removal and touching the front of eye protection transfer contamination to skin.

Question 25Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

At a homicide scene, the first responding officer has secured the area and begun a scene log. Which entry belongs in that log at this stage?

  1. The estimated blood-loss volume inferred from the spatter pattern
  2. The final classification of the death as homicide or accident
  3. The name, agency, and time of entry for each person crossing the perimeter Correct answer.
  4. The probable sequence of events reconstructed from witness statements

Explanation

A scene log records every person who enters or leaves the scene, with name, agency or role, purpose, and time in and out. It exists to preserve the integrity of the scene and support later testimony about who had access. Investigative conclusions such as blood volume, event sequence, and manner of death are developed later and do not belong in the access log.

Question 26Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

Which statement best describes the purpose of establishing a single controlled entry point at a crime scene?

  1. It guarantees that no physical evidence will be disturbed before collection
  2. It replaces the need for a perimeter once the scene has been photographed
  3. It channels all access through one place so entries can be recorded and contamination limited Correct answer.
  4. It allows investigators to skip documenting the initial condition of the scene

Explanation

A single controlled entry point supports two goals: documenting who enters the scene and minimizing the transfer of trace material in and out. It concentrates access where it can be monitored rather than preventing all disturbance. It does not remove the need for documentation, perimeters, or careful collection.

Question 27Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

During scene processing, a technician finds a drinking glass with a latent print on the outside. What is the most appropriate first action for preserving the print?

  1. Rinse the glass to remove residue that could obscure ridge detail
  2. Dust the glass in place and lift the print before moving anything
  3. Wrap the glass tightly in plastic film and seal it in a plastic bag
  4. Photograph the glass in place and then package it for transport to a latent print examiner Correct answer.

Explanation

Documenting the item in place first preserves context, and packaging the whole object lets a qualified examiner choose the development method. Treating porous and nonporous surfaces differently matters, and a glass is best transported intact. Sealing a wet or residue-bearing item in plastic can promote mold and destroy latent detail.

Question 28Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A crime scene technician is completing a chain-of-custody form. Which combination of information is essential for each transfer of evidence?

  1. The collector's opinion of the evidence's evidentiary value
  2. The case agent's home address and personal phone number
  3. The suspect's prior criminal history and known associates
  4. The date, time, and signatures of the person releasing and the person receiving Correct answer.

Explanation

Chain of custody documents an unbroken record of who had control of the evidence and when. Each transfer requires the date, time, and signature of both the releasing and receiving parties. Opinions about value, personal contact details of staff, and suspect background are not part of the custody record.

Question 29Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

Which photography practice best supports later reconstruction of a crime scene?

  1. Photographing from outside the perimeter with a wide-angle lens only
  2. Using overview, mid-range, and close-up photographs with a scale in the close-ups Correct answer.
  3. Relying on video recording alone to capture the entire scene
  4. Taking only close-up photographs of each item of evidence

Explanation

A complete photographic record moves from general to specific: overall views establish layout, mid-range views show relationships, and close-ups capture detail with a scale for size reference. A scale in close-ups allows measurements to be verified later. No single view or medium alone supports full reconstruction.

Question 30Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A technician must document a bloodstain pattern on a vertical wall. Which documentation approach is most defensible?

  1. Photograph the wall with a scale and note the pattern's position and dimensions in the scene sketch Correct answer.
  2. Sketch the pattern from memory after leaving the scene
  3. Rely on the investigator's verbal description recorded in the final report
  4. Scrape a sample of the stain into a single envelope without labeling

Explanation

Patterns must be documented in place with photographs including a scale, and their location and size should be captured in notes and sketches. This preserves the spatial relationships that later interpretation depends on. Memory, unlabeled sampling, and verbal summaries alone are insufficient records.

Question 31Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

Which item should be packaged in a paper container rather than a sealed plastic bag?

  1. A dry metal cartridge case
  2. A dry glass fragment with a partial print
  3. A bloodstained cotton shirt that is still damp Correct answer.
  4. A sealed vial of liquid standard

Explanation

Damp biological evidence must be allowed to air-dry, and paper packaging permits moisture to escape, reducing degradation and mold. Sealing damp bloodstained fabric in plastic can destroy DNA and other biological evidence. Dry items are less vulnerable to moisture problems.

Question 32Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

An investigator arrives at a scene where a body has been moved by emergency medical personnel. What is the most important documentation step regarding the body's original position?

  1. Move the body again to a more convenient location for photography
  2. Disregard the original position because the body was moved
  3. Assume the current position reflects the original position
  4. Record statements from responders about the original position and any items disturbed Correct answer.

Explanation

When a body has been moved for medical reasons, the original position can often be partly reconstructed from responder statements and observed disturbances. Documenting that information preserves evidence that would otherwise be lost. Assuming or ignoring the original position undermines the reconstruction.

Question 33Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A technician is asked to sketch a room to scale. Which element is required for the sketch to be usable in court?

  1. The investigator's signature only, with no measurements
  2. Photographs pasted onto the sketch
  3. A legend, measurements, and a fixed reference point Correct answer.
  4. A decorative border and colored shading

Explanation

A usable scene sketch includes a legend identifying symbols and items, measured distances, and a fixed reference point so positions can be verified. Measurements are what allow the sketch to support testimony about locations. Decorative elements and pasted photographs do not substitute for measured accuracy.

Question 34Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

An officer collects a firearm at a scene. Which practice best preserves both trace evidence and safety?

  1. Photograph the weapon in place, then handle it with gloves and package it securely with documentation of its condition Correct answer.
  2. Unload the weapon immediately at the scene and hand the ammunition to a bystander
  3. Clean the weapon before packaging to remove fingerprints
  4. Insert a pen or rod into the barrel to lift and carry the weapon

Explanation

A firearm should be photographed in place, handled with gloves, and packaged securely with its condition and loaded or unloaded status documented. Inserting objects into the barrel can damage rifling and destroy trace evidence. Cleaning or handing off components destroys evidence and creates safety hazards.

Question 35Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A technician is documenting a footwear impression in loose soil. Which approach best preserves the impression for comparison?

  1. Pour plaster directly into the impression without photographing it first
  2. Brush away loose soil to reveal a cleaner impression
  3. Photograph the impression with a scale, then cast it using appropriate casting material Correct answer.
  4. Cover the impression with a plastic sheet and leave it indefinitely

Explanation

Impressions should be photographed with a scale before casting, and then cast with suitable material to preserve three-dimensional detail. Photographing first preserves the impression even if the cast fails. Brushing or covering with plastic can damage or degrade the impression.

Question 36Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A detective asks a technician to collect a computer from a scene where it is powered on. What is the most appropriate initial action?

  1. Reformat the hard drive to remove viruses
  2. Open the case and remove the hard drive while powered on
  3. Photograph the screen and document the running state before deciding on shutdown Correct answer.
  4. Immediately pull the power cord from the wall

Explanation

Digital evidence handling begins with documenting the device's state, including screen contents and whether it is powered on. The decision to shut down or preserve live data depends on the situation and should follow established digital evidence procedures. Abrupt power loss, reformatting, or handling internals while powered can destroy volatile data.

Question 37Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

Which statement about the chain of custody for a reference DNA sample from a suspect is correct?

  1. Only the final laboratory needs to sign for the sample
  2. Verbal confirmation of transfer is sufficient without written records
  3. The sample must be documented from collection through analysis with each transfer recorded Correct answer.
  4. The sample may be stored without a record if it is analyzed within a week

Explanation

Reference samples are evidence and require the same unbroken custody documentation as scene samples. Each transfer between collector, courier, and laboratory must be recorded with dates, times, and signatures. Short timelines or verbal confirmations do not substitute for written custody records.

Question 38Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A technician discovers that a piece of evidence was inadvertently moved before being photographed in its original location. What is the best course of action?

  1. Omit the item from the report to avoid confusion
  2. Reposition the item to look as it did and photograph it without noting the change
  3. Discard the item because its context is compromised
  4. Document the current location and note in the record that the item was moved before photography Correct answer.

Explanation

Honest documentation protects the integrity of the record: the technician should photograph the item where it now is and note the movement and its circumstances. Fabricating an original position or omitting the item misleads the court. Discarding evidence is inappropriate unless it has no value.

Question 39Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

Which action best protects a bloodstain on a porous surface for later DNA analysis?

  1. Collect the entire item if practical, air-dry it, and package in paper Correct answer.
  2. Seal the wet stain in an airtight plastic bag immediately
  3. Apply a fixative spray to the stain before collection
  4. Collect the stain with a moistened swab and seal it wet in plastic

Explanation

When possible, the whole item should be collected and air-dried, then packaged in breathable paper to prevent degradation. Sealing wet biological material in plastic promotes moisture damage and microbial growth. Fixatives and wet plastic packaging can interfere with later analysis.

Question 40Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A team is processing a large outdoor scene with an inner and outer perimeter. What is the primary function of the outer perimeter?

  1. To replace the inner perimeter once evidence collection begins
  2. To serve as the only area where photography is permitted
  3. To mark the exact location of every item of evidence
  4. To control access and keep unauthorized persons away from the broader scene Correct answer.

Explanation

The outer perimeter establishes a buffer that limits access and protects the broader scene from contamination and interference. The inner perimeter encloses the area of highest evidentiary value. Both perimeters remain in place during processing and serve different control functions.

Question 41Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

During a scene walkthrough, a technician notices a footprint on a windowsill that may be relevant. Why should the walkthrough be conducted before extensive collection begins?

  1. It allows the team to form a scene plan and identify evidence and hazards before items are disturbed Correct answer.
  2. It ensures that collection begins before documentation
  3. It eliminates the need for a scene log
  4. It permits unauthorized personnel to enter freely

Explanation

The initial walkthrough lets the team survey the scene, identify evidence and safety hazards, and plan the processing sequence while the scene is still largely undisturbed. Documentation and collection then proceed according to that plan. The walkthrough does not replace the scene log or authorize uncontrolled access.

Question 42Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A technician is writing a report describing the collection of a glass fragment. Which phrasing best supports later testimony?

  1. The fragment looked like it was probably from the window that the suspect broke
  2. The fragment was collected sometime in the afternoon after the scene was processed
  3. The fragment was definitely deposited during the offense
  4. The fragment was collected from the floor near the east wall at 14:20 and packaged in a labeled paper envelope Correct answer.

Explanation

Reports should state objective, specific facts: where the item was collected, when, and how it was packaged and labeled. Conclusions about how or when an item was deposited are for the investigator or court to determine. Vague timing and speculative language weaken the report's evidentiary value.

Question 43Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A technician is collecting a questioned document found on a desk. Which practice best preserves its evidentiary value?

  1. Handle it minimally by the edges, place it in a paper folder, and document its location Correct answer.
  2. Handle it with bare hands and fold it for storage
  3. Place it in a plastic sleeve and staple it to the report
  4. Write notes directly on the document to record where it was found

Explanation

Documents should be handled minimally, ideally by the edges with gloves, and stored flat in paper to protect latent prints, indentations, and other trace evidence. Writing on the document or stapling it alters the item. Plastic is avoided because it can trap moisture and static.

Question 44Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A technician must decide how to package a knife with a visible red stain on the blade. Which approach is most appropriate?

  1. Wrap the blade tightly in plastic film and place it in a paper bag
  2. Leave the knife on scene for the laboratory to retrieve later
  3. Package the knife in a rigid container with the blade secured so it does not contact the stain Correct answer.
  4. Insert the knife into a soft cloth bag and compress it to save space

Explanation

Sharp items require rigid protective packaging so the blade cannot injure handlers or contact and transfer the stain. Securing the blade within a rigid container preserves the stain and prevents injury. Plastic film, compression, and leaving the item unsecured risk damage, contamination, or loss.

Question 45Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

An investigator wants to demonstrate that a footprint found at the scene matches a particular shoe. Which documentation is most critical to support a later comparison?

  1. A photograph of the shoe style taken from a catalog
  2. A scale photograph and cast of the impression, plus documentation of the shoe's seizure and custody Correct answer.
  3. A verbal description of the shoe's color
  4. A sketch of the shoe's approximate size

Explanation

A comparison requires a properly documented impression, including scale photographs and casts, along with a lawfully seized shoe whose custody is recorded. These elements allow an examiner to compare class and individual characteristics. Catalog photos, verbal descriptions, and approximate sketches are insufficient for reliable comparison.

Question 46Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A technician arrives at a scene where several officers have already entered without logging their presence. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Discard the scene log and start a new one without explanation
  2. Omit the entries because the log is already compromised
  3. Reconstruct entry times from memory and record them as exact
  4. Record the known entries as accurately as possible and note the limitation in the scene log Correct answer.

Explanation

When access has occurred without logging, the technician should document what is known as accurately as possible and clearly note the limitation. Honest acknowledgment preserves the record's credibility. Fabricating exact times, omitting entries, or silently restarting the log misrepresents the scene history.

Question 47Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A technician must document a latent print on a curved, reflective surface that is difficult to photograph. Which strategy best preserves the evidence?

  1. Describe the print in writing and skip photography
  2. Photograph it repeatedly with varied lighting and angles, and consult a latent print examiner about development or lifting Correct answer.
  3. Apply powder and lift immediately without any photographic record
  4. Clean the surface so the print can be photographed more clearly

Explanation

Difficult surfaces benefit from varied lighting and angles to capture ridge detail, and consultation with a latent print examiner helps choose the right development method. A photographic record should precede or accompany any lifting. Cleaning the surface would destroy the print.

Question 48Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

During processing, a technician realizes that a swab used for a DNA sample was placed in a plastic tube and sealed while still wet. What is the most appropriate corrective action?

  1. Add a desiccant packet to the sealed tube without opening it
  2. Open the tube, air-dry the swab, repackage it appropriately, and document the correction Correct answer.
  3. Discard the sample and collect a new one only if the suspect is present
  4. Leave it sealed to avoid further handling and note the condition in the report

Explanation

Wet biological samples sealed in plastic are prone to degradation, so the corrective action is to air-dry the swab and repackage it in breathable material. The correction and its timing must be documented to maintain an accurate record. Leaving it sealed, discarding it, or adding desiccant to a sealed tube does not resolve the moisture problem.

Question 49Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A defense attorney challenges the chain of custody because a gap of several hours exists between the technician's release of an item and its receipt at the laboratory. Which response best addresses the gap?

  1. Assert that the laboratory always receives items promptly
  2. Provide documentation of the courier or secure storage covering the gap period Correct answer.
  3. Argue that chain of custody applies only to biological evidence
  4. Claim the gap is irrelevant because the item was not altered

Explanation

A custody gap is addressed by producing records that account for the item during the unaccounted period, such as courier logs or secure storage records. This demonstrates continuity of control. Dismissing the gap or making general assertions does not establish what happened to the item.

Question 50Crime Scene Management, Documentation and Chain of Custody

A crime scene technician is assigned to establish the initial scene perimeter at a residential burglary. Which principle should guide the technician's choice of boundary size?

  1. Set the boundary at the smallest area that contains the visible evidence and expand it later if processing reveals additional items.
  2. Establish the boundary beyond the apparent area of involvement, erring on the side of a larger perimeter that can be reduced. Correct answer.
  3. Use a fixed radius of ten meters from the point of forced entry for every residential scene.
  4. Ask the first responding officer to set the boundary, since the officer arrived before the technician.

Explanation

Scene boundaries should start larger than the apparent area of involvement and be contracted as processing confirms no evidence lies outside. Erring small risks losing or contaminating evidence that is later discovered beyond the line. A fixed radius ignores scene-specific conditions such as weather, terrain, and entry and exit routes.