Unit 1 Crime Scene Basics & Evidence

Front

What is the role of detectives in a crime scene investigation?

Back

Detectives look for leads by interviewing witnesses and talking to crime scene investigators about the evidence.

Front

What is trace evidence?

Back

Trace evidence refers to small but measurable amounts of physical or biological material found at a crime scene.

Front

Define an alibi in the context of a crime investigation.

Back

An alibi is an excuse that basically says, 'I didn’t do it!'

Front

True or False: Physical evidence is much less reliable than eyewitness testimony.

Back

False

Front

What is the first step in investigating a crime scene?

Back

The first step is to interview the first officer at the scene or the victim.

Front

What types of evidence can be considered physical evidence?

Back

Physical evidence can include fingerprints, weapons, clothing, and any other tangible items that can be collected from a crime scene.

Front

Why is eyewitness testimony considered less reliable than physical evidence?

Back

Eyewitness testimony can be influenced by factors such as stress, memory distortion, and bias, making it less reliable than physical evidence.

Front

What is the importance of collecting evidence at a crime scene?

Back

Collecting evidence is crucial for establishing facts, identifying suspects, and supporting or refuting claims made during an investigation.

Front

What is the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence?

Back

Direct evidence directly links a suspect to a crime (e.g., eyewitness accounts), while circumstantial evidence requires inference to connect it to a conclusion (e.g., fingerprints found at the scene).

Front

What is the significance of chain of custody in evidence handling?

Back

Chain of custody is important to ensure that evidence is preserved, documented, and protected from tampering or contamination.