Q+A Flashcards
The “chain of evidence” is the official record of exhibit what?
Collection, security and movement.
Is a DNA (blood) sample known to deteriorate when exposed to extremes of weather conditions?
Yes.
Is a DNA (blood) sample known to deteriorate when handled without gloves or masks?
No.
Is a DNA (blood) sample known to deteriorate when it has exited the body for up to two hours?
No.
Is a DNA (blood) sample known to deteriorate when packaging creates conditions that cause it to degrade?
Yes.
Can impressions be left by the sole of a shoe?
Yes.
Can impressions be left by a tool used as a lever?
Yes.
Can impressions be left by a drop of saliva or semen?
No.
Can impressions be left by a finger or palm print?
Yes.
What is the forensic concept that best described how the collection of forensic evidence is affected when the crime scene is doused in continuous rainfall?
Deterioration.
What is the forensic concept that best described how the collection of forensic evidence is affected when many people enter and leave the scene?
Contamination.
What is the forensic concept that best described how the collection of forensic evidence is affected when the movement of exhibits is not recorded?
Evidential integrity.
What is the forensic concept that best described how the collection of forensic evidence is affected when the offender is taken back into a scene for interview?
Evidential integrity.
Is blood biological or physical evidence?
Biological.
Is semen biological or physical evidence?
Biological.
Are paint flakes biological or physical evidence?
Physical.
Are glass fragments biological or physical evidence?
Physical.
What is “persistence” when used as a forensic term?
The length of time that biological evidence remains for collection following a crime.
Could evidential contamination occur when evidential material obtained cannot be linked to the investigation at hand?
No.
Could evidential contamination occur when a crime scene lacks defined boundaries and guards?
Yes.
Could evidential contamination occur when persons handling exhibits don’t change their gloves?
Yes.
Could evidential contamination occur when biological material is accidentally added to an exhibit?
Yes.
What is an elimination sample?
A sample taken from a person legitimately in contact with evidence.
Is a seized cellphone an example of tangible evidential material?
Yes.
What is an example of intangible evidential material?
The contents of a USB flashdrive or FB account.
Generally, does contamination occur when material is added to an exhibit after the offence?
Yes.
Generally, does contamination occur when material is exposed to rain or sunshine?
No.
Generally, does contamination occur when exhibits are not correctly packaged or secured?
Yes.
Generally, does contamination occur when equipment used has not been properly cleaned?
Yes.
What is the “golden hour”?
The time soon after an offence when evidential material is most readily available for collection.
Can trace evidence be seen by the human eye?
No.
Is trace evidence usually found in fragments or small particles?
Yes.
Can trace evidence only be seen by specialist forensic personnel?
No.
Can trace evidence be both biological and physical?
Yes.
What is entomology the study of?
Insects.
Can material at a crime scene be contaminated by repeated handling of exhibits before packaging?
Yes.
Can material at a crime scene be contaminated by a searcher leaving traces on an exhibit?
Yes.
Can material at a crime scene be contaminated by equipment not being cleaned before use?
Yes.
Can material at a crime scene be contaminated by people or animals who have entered the scene?
Yes.
Is forensic evidence at all reliant on what people say or do?
No.
Can forensic transfer between a victim and an offender occur when the offender is at the scene following the offence?
Yes.
Can forensic transfer between a victim and an offender occur when they are not separated in the first instance?
Yes.
Can forensic transfer between a victim and an offender occur when they are transported in the same vehicle, even at different times?
Yes.
Can forensic transfer between a victim and an offender occur when professional medical attention is provided to a victim?
No.
Secondary transfer occurs when initial transfer between two people has already occurred, and the recipient of this initial transfer then in turn transfers material on to a third person who has not had actual contact with the first person - true or false?
True.
Can evidence that does not have a tendency to prove anything that is of consequence to the case still be relevant?
Yes - it can also disprove.
Who are elimination samples taken from?
People who had legitimate contact with the crime scene or exhibits.
Will deleting images from a digital camera permanently remove them?
No.
Can deleted images be retrieved from the memory card of a camera?
Yes.
Will reformatting a digital camera remove images from it?
No.
Should digital images of a crime scene be taken on an approved camera?
Yes.
As deleted images are easily recovered from digital cameras, all cameras should be what?
Assigned to a named position or employee.
Should you promptly package, seal and label a wet exhibit, to avoid further deterioration?
Yes.
What are the safety precautions that should be undertaken around used gloves and clothing contaminated with body fluids?
Discard in a biohazard container.
What are the safety precautions that should be undertaken around abrasions on hands when handling items contaminated with body fluids?
Cover and double glove.
What are the safety precautions that should be undertaken around exhibits contaminated with body fluids?
Package securely and label with biohazard warning.
Do the Digital Imaging Guidelines direct that images that are to be produced as evidence must be secured in a master copy “read only” format?
Yes.
Do the Digital Imaging Guidelines direct that images that are to be produced as evidence must have been downloaded onto a police or otherwise secure computer?
Yes.
Do the Digital Imaging Guidelines direct that images that are to be produced as evidence must have been taken by a person trained in photography?
No.
Do the Digital Imaging Guidelines direct that images that are to be produced as evidence must be validated by image numbering and the taker?
Yes.
What POL must accompany an exhibit package that is to be forwarded for analysis?
A POL 143.
When forwarding exhibits for analysis, can you include in one package several items of evidence?
No.
When forwarding exhibits for analysis, must they have been sealed by the collector at the time of collection?
Yes.
When forwarding exhibits for analysis, does the labelling of them have any correlation to potential contamination?
No.
What are the four steps undertaken when uplifting exhibits from a serious crime scene?
Record (Photograph), Notes, Uplift, Secure.
Is a scene record of a crime scene completed before searching for and uplifting exhibits?
Yes.