COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE INV.1040

Question 1

DEFINITIONS INV. 1 0 4 0 . 1 0 1

The cadet will define the following concepts:

Answer 1

♦ Evidence

♦ Chain of Custody

Question 2

♦ Evidence

Answer 2

• Anything that logically tends to prove or disprove a fact at issue in a
judicial case or controversy.

Question 3

♦ Chain of Custody

Answer 3

• Identifies who handled evidence and why, in order to preserve the
integrity of the evidence for court presentation.

Question 4

COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE INV. 1 0 4 0 . 1 0 2
The cadet will explain the responsibilities of the officer collecting evidence, to
include:

Answer 4

♦ Marking
♦ Tagging
♦ Evaluating
♦ Preserving\
♦ Releasing
♦ Clearing the scene

Question 5

♦ Marking

Answer 5

• By recovery officer and, if available, at least one other officer who can
witness the recovery

Question 6

♦ Tagging

Answer 6

• Marking evidence properly
 Examples
• Weapons – Tie tag is appropriate
• Drugs – placed in a plastic bag or container with proper marking
ensuring substance does not spill

Question 7

♦ Evaluating

Answer 7

• Assess the value of the evidence relating to the crime

Question 8

♦ Preserving

Answer 8

• Proper packaging to ensure the evidence maintains its evidentiary value
 Example
• Blood evidence – paper bag allowing air exchange
• Drugs – sometimes it is not appropriate to place in plastic or air tight containers if drugs contain moisture; mold will destroy the evidentiary value

Question 9

♦ Releasing

Answer 9

• Release of property to owner

Question 10

♦ Clearing the scene

Answer 10

1

Question 11

EVIDENCE INV. 1 0 4 0 . 1 0 3

The cadet will list common types of evidence found at various scenes, to include:

Answer 11

♦ Blood
♦ Seminal fluid
♦ Hairs
♦ Fibers
♦ Glass
♦ Paint
♦ Firearms/ammunition/casings
♦ Flammables
♦ Narcotics
♦ Documents
♦ Tool or pry marks
♦ Foot and tire impressions
♦ Fingerprints

Question 12

EVIDENCE VALUE INV. 1 0 4 0 . 1 0 4

The cadet will list issues having the most impact on evidence, to include:

Answer 12

♦ Legal requirements

♦ Scientific value

Question 13

EVIDENCE MISTAKES INV. 1 0 4 0 . 1 0 5

The cadet will list four common mistakes made when handling evidence, to include:

Answer 13

♦ Failure to submit sufficient quantities of evidence
♦ Failure to submit known standards of evidence
♦ Failure to protect evidence from contamination
♦ Failure to properly maintain and document the chain of custody

Question 14

COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE, ELDERLY OR CHILD ABUSE CASES
INV. 1 0 4 0 . 1 0 6
The cadet will identify the following items of evidence commonly used to corroborate
elderly or child abuse charges:
♦ Photographs of injuries and

Answer 14

♦ Photographs of injuries and surroundings
♦ Physician’s report
♦ Instruments or implements used in the crime
♦ Diagrams and measurements
♦ Materials applicable to the crime
♦ Past medical history indicating previous abuse
♦ Witness statements

Question 15

COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE INV. 1 0 4 0 . 1 0 7
Given an exercise simulating a crime scene wherein items of evidence which would
be reasonably associated with the alleged crime are present, the cadet will identify
items of evidence and show proficiency in the following concepts:

Answer 15

♦ Take appropriate measures to protect the evidence from destruction either human or environmental
♦ Collect the evidence and package for transport
♦ Identify items which are fragile or need special attention and take action to protect the evidence
♦ Record, in detail, all significant items found, the location, time, and condition of items at the crime scene prior to the gathering of evidence, to include: written notes, photographs, and sketches
♦ Demonstrate when and how to use fingerprint powder to “dust”, “lift” and label latent fingerprints