Question

evidence collection: procedures - introduction to evidence collection
directions: answer the following questions.

1. what is the primary objective of finding physical evidence?

a. locating and arresting a criminal
b. confiscating illegal substances and weapons
c. determining what actually occurred on the crime scene
d. reconstructing the victims life

1. mark whether each of the following statements is true or false.

2a. allowing family or friends of a victim onto a crime scene can contaminate evidence.
2b. processing and protecting the crime scene will not have any impact on convicting a criminal.
2c. law - enforcement officers must apply to an unbiased jury for a warrant.
2d. law enforcement officers must always obtain a warrant to search private property.

1. the results of physical evidence analysis could not do which of the following?

a. validate testimony from witnesses
b. identify victim
c. place weapons at a crime scene
d. convict suspect

1. which of the following is not a right guaranteed by the constitution?

a. no incriminating evidence can be used against an individual
b. all evidence in court must be legally obtained
c. an individual must have knowledge of all charges brought against him or her
d. no unreasonable searches and seizures

1. which of the following situations would not be an example of probable cause for search or seizure?

a. officers have a warrant to search one house, but decide to search all of the houses in a neighborhood
b. drug paraphernalia is seen in the passenger seat of a car
c. a woman is screaming for help inside a house
d. a drug deal is done while an officer watches across the street

Explanation:

1. The main goal of finding physical evidence is to understand what happened at the crime - scene. Family or friends at a crime - scene can contaminate evidence. Protecting the crime - scene is crucial for conviction. Law enforcement officers apply to a judge for a warrant, not an unbiased jury. There are exceptions to the warrant requirement for private property searches. Physical evidence analysis can help in many ways but alone cannot convict a suspect. The Constitution has rights regarding evidence and searches. Probable cause is needed for searches/seizures and searching all houses when only one has a warrant is not an example of it.

2a. Allowing family or friends can contaminate evidence, so it's true.
2b. Protecting the crime - scene is important for conviction, so it's false.
2c. Officers apply to a judge, not a jury, so it's false.
2d. There are exceptions, so it's false.

1. Physical evidence analysis helps in many ways but cannot alone convict a suspect.
2. The Constitution has rights about evidence and searches, and no incriminating evidence being used against an individual is not a guaranteed right in all cases.
3. Searching all houses when only one has a warrant is not an example of probable cause.

Answer:

1. C. Determining what actually occurred on the crime scene

2a. T
2b. F
2c. F
2d. F

1. D. Convict suspect
2. A. No incriminating evidence can be used against an individual
3. A. Officers have a warrant to search one house, but decide to search all of the houses in a neighborhood