Test Bank for Criminal Investigation, 3rd Edition

Criminal Investigation (Justice Series), 3e (Lyman) Chapter 2 The Crime Scene: Field Notes, Documenting, and Reporting 2.1 Multiple Choice Questions 1) Generally, when should police officers begin to take notes? A) As soon as an officer gets a call to the scene of a crime B) Immediately upon arrival at the scene and as soon as the scene is rendered SAFE C) Note taking is a personal process and best determined by each officer’s personal preference. D) Immediately following the first victim interview at the scene Answer: A Page Ref: 26 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Basic 2) When taking field notes on a home burglary, which of the following details is of least initial value? A) Insurance company, coverage and deductible B) Location possible entry point C) Location of possible exit point D) Make model and serial number(s) of items removed from scene Answer: A Page Ref: 26 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Basic 3) Which of the following is the essential element of a police report? A) Hearsay information B) Investigative speculation C) Factuality D) Professional opinion Answer: C Page Ref: 27 Objective: Identify the main components of a fact sheet or initial complaint. Level: Basic 4) When first encountering a witness or victim, it is important for the investigator to allow the person to state in his or her own words what occurred. This is best accomplished: A) By asking the person simple, direct questions about chronological details such as, “What did you see when you first arrived?” B) By creating a private setting and allowing the person to write down everything that happened and after this is accomplished, clarify the written statement with specific follow-up questions. C) By instructing all victims and witnesses to refrain from talking until investigators arrive to formally get their statements. D) By asking the simple question, “What happened?” Answer: D Page Ref: 26 Objective: Identify the qualities of a good investigative report. Level: Basic 5) Which of the following should be included in a police officer’s field notes? A) Dates, times, and locations B) Victim identification C) Lost personal property descriptions D) All of the above should be in an officer’s field notes. Answer: D Page Ref: 26 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Difficult 6) When preparing the investigative report, it is essential that the investigator avoid including which of the following in the report? A) Details B) Excess information which may confuse the reader C) Investigative facts D) Dates and times Answer: B Page Ref: 29 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Basic 7) When documenting witness interviews, the investigator should make every effort to identify unsubstantiated “facts” and: A) Omit them from the report B) Attempt to clarify their meaning C) Clearly identify these as opinions D) Presume that the witness is correct Answer: C Page Ref: 30 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Intermediate 8) The “…who, what, where, when, how and (sometimes) why” of a case is primarily incorporated into which of the following reporting methods? A) Field notes B) Field Interview cards C) Investigative reports D) Supplemental reports Answer: D Page Ref: 30 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Intermediate 9) The principal requirement(s) of photograph admissibility is/are: A) Clarity and composition B) Color and angle C) Authentication and relevance D) Image comparison Answer: C Page Ref: 31 Objective: Summarize the legal precedents for the admissibility of photographs as evidence in court. Level: Intermediate 10) The primary stages of crime scene photographs are the: A) Longshot and close-up B) General, medium-range and close-up C) Overall and detailed D) Multiple perspective shots Answer: B Page Ref: 32 Objective: Explain the types of photography commonly used in criminal investigations. Level: Intermediate 11) In order to preserve the integrity of their content, original crime scene digital photographic images should be transferred to and stored (without any alterations) on a: A) “Master disk” B) Storage drive C) “Working copy” D) SD card or Memory Stick™ Answer: A Page Ref: 32 Objective: Explain the types of photography commonly used in criminal investigations. Level: Intermediate 12) Photographing the crime scene should be conducted: A) Whenever convenient B) During daylight hours C) In a timely fashion D) After the crime scene sketch has been completed Answer: C Page Ref: 32 Objective: Explain the types of photography commonly used in criminal investigations. Level: Intermediate 13) Artificial lighting of a crime scene may create shadows or washed out portions of a photo, causing: A) Loss of details B) Blurred images C) Color changes D) Loss of perspective Answer: A Page Ref: 33 Objective: Explain the types of photography commonly used in criminal investigations. Level: Intermediate 14) Which of the following is NOT a type of distorted photograph? A) Incorrect point of view B) Perspective C) Relevant D) Tone or color misrepresentation Answer: C Page Ref: 34 Objective: Explain the correct methods for photographing a crime scene. Level: Intermediate 15) Which of the following methods is best for sketching an outdoor crime scene that does not have easily identifiable points of reference? A) Cross-projection method B) Baseline technique C) Coordinate method D) Triangulation method Answer: D Page Ref: 37 Objective: Describe how crime-scene sketches are made. Level: Intermediate 16) A homicide scene includes a gunshot victim on the floor, two apparent bullet holes in the wall and apparent blood spatter on a wall, desk and telephone. Several fired handgun cartridge casings and a knife area also on the floor next to the body. Which crime scene measuring system would be best suited to most accurately document this scene? A) Triangulation method B) Baseline method C) Hybrid cross/base spectrum method D) Cross-projection method Answer: D Page Ref: 37 Objective: Describe how crime-scene sketches are made. Level: Intermediate 17) In order to best document the perspective of a fired bullet casing on the floor of a crime scene, the photographer should: A) Take the first photograph at close range and the second from at least at least 6 feet away B) Photograph the item at the closest possible range, with a police item marker in plain view C) Photograph the item at a range not to be more than 6 inches away D) None of the above are techniques that show the item in perspective. Answer: A Page Ref: 34 Objective: Explain the correct methods for photographing a crime scene. Level: Intermediate 18) While “markers” such as rulers, tapes and coins are commonly used in crime scenes, their inclusion in crime scene photographs is: A) Generally discouraged, since it may attract the viewer’s attention B) A generally accepted practice C) An issue determined by the court D) Strictly forbidden Answer: B Page Ref: 33 Objective: Explain the correct methods for photographing a crime scene. Level: Intermediate 19) The best method of organizing crime scene photos is by using a: A) File folder B) 3-ring binder C) Photographic log D) None of the above Answer: C Page Ref: 35 Objective: Explain the correct methods for photographing a crime scene. Level: Basic 20) Covert surveillance photography is selective and often used for: A) Identification of physical locations of criminal activity B) Robbery deterrence and suspect identification C) Illegal transaction documentation D) All of the above Answer: D Page Ref: 35 Objective: Explain the types of photography commonly used in criminal investigations. Level: Basic 2.2 True/False Questions 1) Ideally, an officer should begin to take notes after she has arrived at the crime scene, after all evidence has been located (including witnesses), but before any arrests are made. Answer: FALSE Page Ref: 26 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Basic 2) The investigator’s field notes should include the date and time of assignment to the case. Answer: TRUE Page Ref: 26 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Basic 3) Officers usually write field notes in the order in which information was learned, rather than in chronological order. Answer: TRUE Page Ref: 26 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Basic 4) Typically, crime scene photographers should take between 25 and 50 photos, depending on the nature and complexity of the crime. Answer: FALSE Page Ref: 32 Objective: Explain the correct methods for photographing a crime scene. Level: Intermediate 5) Photos frequently convey information more accurately than does an officer’s verbal explanation. Answer: TRUE Page Ref: 32 Objective: Explain the correct methods for photographing a crime scene. Level: Basic 6) As a rule, the crime scene photographer will find that natural light at the scene is adequate for good-quality photos. Answer: FALSE Page Ref: 33 Objective: Explain the correct methods for photographing a crime scene. Level: Basic 7) The face sheet contains the summary of an investigation. Answer: TRUE Page Ref: 30 Objective: Identify the main components of a fact sheet or initial complaint. Level: Basic 8) Investigators should remember that it is the officer’s memory, not the official police report, that is the backbone of the criminal prosecution process. Answer: FALSE Page Ref: 27 Objective: Identify the qualities of a good investigative report. Level: Basic 9) A rough sketch is one drawn by the police officer at the crime scene and is not generally drawn to scale. Answer: TRUE Page Ref: 36 Objective: Describe how crime-scene sketches are made. Level: Basic 10) It is vital when prosecuting a case that the person who took the photos of a crime scene is the one who testifies about them in court. Answer: FALSE Page Ref: 31 Objective: Determine what types of information should be included in a photographic log. Level: Basic 11) The finished sketch is simply a completed sketch drawn from information contained in photographs or from the drawer’s memory. Answer: FALSE Page Ref: 36 Objective: Describe how crime-scene sketches are made. Level: Intermediate 12) One disadvantage of photographs is that they don’t show the true or actual distances. Answer: TRUE Page Ref: 33 Objective: Explain the correct methods for photographing a crime scene. Level: Basic 13) Copies of written statements given by witnesses are not elements of the official report. Answer: FALSE Page Ref: 30 Objective: Identify the main components of a fact sheet or initial complaint. Level: Intermediate 14) Word choice in a report is not important as long as the prosecutor understands what was meant by a police officer. Answer: FALSE Page Ref: 29 Objective: Identify the qualities of a good investigative report. Level: Intermediate 15) The third step in report writing is organizing the information. Answer: TRUE Page Ref: 28 Objective: Identify the qualities of a good investigative report. Level: Intermediate 2.3 Fill in the Blank Questions 1) ________ notes made during the search of a crime scene are the basic record of the search and the evidence discovered. Answer: Field Page Ref: 26 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Intermediate 2) The ________ process should begin as soon as an officer gets a call to the scene of a crime. Answer: Note-taking Page Ref: 26 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Intermediate 3) When first encountering a witness or a victim, it is important for the investigator to allow the person to state in his or her own words what occurred. This is best accomplished by asking the simple question, “what ________”? Answer: Happened Page Ref: 26 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Difficult 4) Field notes may be required later as ________ in court. Answer: Evidence Page Ref: 26 Objective: Explain what specific field notes should be taken during a criminal investigation. Level: Intermediate 5) The ________ sheet, or initial page, of the initial complaint contains a summary of an investigation. Answer: Face Page Ref: 30 Objective: Identify the qualities of a good investigative report. Level: Basic 6) Information should be ________ before stating it as fact in an official report. Answer: Verified Page Ref: 28 Objective: Identify the qualities of a good investigative report. Level: Intermediate 7) Measurements for a crime scene sketch should extend along and from ________ and identifiable points. Answer: Fixed Page Ref: 36 Objective: Describe how crime-scene sketches are made. Level: Intermediate 8) The ________ sketch is simply a completed sketch drawn from information contained in photographs or from the drawer’s memory. Answer: Finished Page Ref: 36 Objective: Describe how crime-scene sketches are made. Level: Basic 9) A(n) ________ sketch is one drawn by the police officer at the crime scene and is not generally drawn to scale. Answer: Rough Page Ref: 36 Objective: Describe how crime-scene sketches are made. Level: Basic 10) The ________ police report is the backbone of the criminal prosecution process. Answer: Official Page Ref: 27 Objective: Summarize the legal precedents for the admissibility of photographs as evidence in court. Level: Intermediate 2.4 Matching Questions Match up the terminology in the left column to the definitions in the right column. A) Method of operation B) Required to admit into evidence C) Element of a report D) Initial page E) 2nd party information F) Crime scene measuring technique using a line drawn between two points G) List of who handles evidence H) Items place in crime-scene phone to enable view to get a sense of size or distance I) Evidentiary items J) Time/manner complaint was received 1) Hearsay Page Ref: n/a Objective: n/a Level: Intermediate 2) Chain of custody Page Ref: n/a Objective: n/a Level: Intermediate 3) Weapon Page Ref: n/a Objective: n/a Level: Intermediate 4) Preliminary information Page Ref: n/a Objective: n/a Level: Intermediate 5) Physical evidence Page Ref: n/a Objective: n/a Level: Intermediate 6) Modus operandi Page Ref: n/a Objective: n/a Level: Intermediate 7) Face sheet Page Ref: n/a Objective: n/a Level: Intermediate 8) Authentication Page Ref: n/a Objective: n/a Level: Intermediate 9) Markers Page Ref: n/a Objective: n/a Level: Intermediate 10) Baseline technique Page Ref: n/a Objective: n/a Level: Intermediate Answers: 1) E 2) G 3) C 4) J 5) I 6) A 7) D 8) B 9) H 10) F 2.5 Essay Questions 1) For each official police report, there must be sufficient information to define and describe the accounts of a crime. List a minimum of 5 areas of information which should be contained within this report. Answer: Answers will vary as there are more than five sections in the official police report. Answers may include: Type of offense, date and time of offense, location of violation, description of a suspect vehicle, description of weapons possessed by suspect, description of how the violation was discovered, who was involved, descriptions of evidence in the case, and evidence which was seized. Page Ref: 26-28 Objective: Identify the qualities of a good investigative report. Level: Intermediate 2) Define and discuss the advantages and disadvantages to taking crime scene photographs. Answer: Advantages: provide easy storage and retrieval data at the crime scene, remove many inferences by practically placing the judge/jury at the crime scene, and gives the investigator a source of reference as to the location of evidence at the crime scene. Disadvantages: does not show true or actual distances, can distort color or perceptions, and they can be ruined by mechanical errors in processing. Additional information may also be included. Page Ref: 31-33 Objective: Explain the correct methods for photographing a crime scene. Level: Intermediate 3) Certain information should always be included within the photographic log of a crime scene investigator. List the six types of required information and discuss why each type of information is important and state why each one is important. Answer: The six types of information are: Type of case, description of subject of photograph, location, names of persons handling evidence, assigned case number and any other relevant information. Page Ref: 35 Objective: Determine what types of information should be included in a photographic log. Level: Intermediate 2.6 Critical Thinking Questions 1) You have responded to a crime scene and will be in charge of processing this scene. It is imperative that you complete a crime scene sketch for accuracy and use it in court. Discuss the pertinent information which you will place in the sketch and why this is important. Answer: Investigator’s complete name, date, time, type of crime, assigned case number, officers names who assist in producing the crime scene sketch, address of the crime scene, its position in a building, landmarks, the scale of the drawing, the primary items of evidence, and a key/legend identifying symbols or points of reference used within the sketch. The sketch is an official document meaning that it is the backbone of the prosecution of the case. Page Ref: 36-38 Objective: Describe how crime-scene sketches are made. Level: Intermediate 2) Identify the various methods used within the sketching of crime scenes. Additionally, define what this method is and how it is used. Answer: Coordinate method: measures and object from two fixed points of reference, the baseline technique is often used within this method. Triangulation method: bird’s eye view of the scene which uses fixed objects from which to measure, useful in sketching outdoor crime scenes. Cross-projection method: used for indoor crime scenes, top-down view with the walls folded down to reveal locations of bullet holes, blood spatter, etc. Page Ref: 37-38 Objective: Describe how crime-scene sketches are made. Level: Intermediate