CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION GRADED
A+ STUDY GUIDE SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
UNIVERSITY
1. What is the primary goal of a criminal investigation?
A. To punish suspects
B. To determine guilt without evidence
C. To discover facts and identify perpetrators
D. To close cases quickly
Answer: C
Rationale: The main purpose of criminal investigation is to establish facts, gather
evidence, and identify the responsible party.
2. The first officer responding to a crime scene is responsible for:
A. Prosecuting the suspect
B. Securing and preserving the scene
C. Conducting autopsies
D. Writing court verdicts
Answer: B
Rationale: Initial responders must secure the scene to prevent contamination or loss of
evidence.
3. Chain of custody refers to:
A. Arrest procedures
B. Evidence tracking from collection to court
C. Suspect interrogation
D. Patrol assignment logs
Answer: B
Rationale: It ensures evidence integrity by documenting every person who handled it.
4. The most fragile type of evidence is:
A. Fingerprints
B. Eyewitness testimony
C. DNA
D. Digital records
, Answer: B
Rationale: Human memory is unreliable and easily influenced.
5. What is the purpose of a crime scene sketch?
A. Replace photographs
B. Provide a visual layout of the scene
C. Identify suspects
D. Record interrogation notes
Answer: B
Rationale: Sketches help document spatial relationships of evidence.
6. Probable cause is required for:
A. Interviewing witnesses
B. Arrest or search warrant
C. Writing reports
D. Filing case notes
Answer: B
Rationale: Legal action like arrest or search requires reasonable belief a crime occurred.
7. An interrogation differs from an interview because it:
A. Is always voluntary
B. Focuses on suspects with legal pressure
C. Is conducted in public
D. Requires a jury
Answer: B
Rationale: Interrogations are structured and aimed at obtaining confessions.
8. The exclusionary rule prevents:
A. Police reports
B. Illegal evidence from being used in court
C. Witness statements
D. Jury selection
Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence obtained unlawfully is inadmissible.
9. A witness statement is considered:
A. Physical evidence
B. Testimonial evidence
C. Direct physical proof
D. Trace evidence
, Answer: B
Rationale: It is verbal or written account from a person.
10. Which is NOT a forensic discipline?
A. DNA analysis
B. Toxicology
C. Astrology
D. Ballistics
Answer: C
Rationale: Astrology is not a scientific forensic method.
11. The primary purpose of Miranda rights is to:
A. Convict suspects
B. Protect suspect’s constitutional rights
C. Speed up trials
D. Avoid investigations
Answer: B
Rationale: They protect against self-incrimination.
12. Physical evidence is best defined as:
A. Opinions
B. Tangible objects linked to crime
C. Rumors
D. Confessions
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical evidence includes objects like weapons or clothing.
13. A suspect becomes a person of interest when:
A. Arrested
B. Evidence links them to a crime
C. They confess
D. They are guilty
Answer: B
Rationale: Investigators identify individuals based on evidence.
14. The most reliable evidence type is:
A. Eyewitness memory
B. Physical evidence
C. Gossip
D. Assumptions
AND CORRECT ANSWER WITH EXPLANATION GRADED
A+ STUDY GUIDE SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
UNIVERSITY
1. What is the primary goal of a criminal investigation?
A. To punish suspects
B. To determine guilt without evidence
C. To discover facts and identify perpetrators
D. To close cases quickly
Answer: C
Rationale: The main purpose of criminal investigation is to establish facts, gather
evidence, and identify the responsible party.
2. The first officer responding to a crime scene is responsible for:
A. Prosecuting the suspect
B. Securing and preserving the scene
C. Conducting autopsies
D. Writing court verdicts
Answer: B
Rationale: Initial responders must secure the scene to prevent contamination or loss of
evidence.
3. Chain of custody refers to:
A. Arrest procedures
B. Evidence tracking from collection to court
C. Suspect interrogation
D. Patrol assignment logs
Answer: B
Rationale: It ensures evidence integrity by documenting every person who handled it.
4. The most fragile type of evidence is:
A. Fingerprints
B. Eyewitness testimony
C. DNA
D. Digital records
, Answer: B
Rationale: Human memory is unreliable and easily influenced.
5. What is the purpose of a crime scene sketch?
A. Replace photographs
B. Provide a visual layout of the scene
C. Identify suspects
D. Record interrogation notes
Answer: B
Rationale: Sketches help document spatial relationships of evidence.
6. Probable cause is required for:
A. Interviewing witnesses
B. Arrest or search warrant
C. Writing reports
D. Filing case notes
Answer: B
Rationale: Legal action like arrest or search requires reasonable belief a crime occurred.
7. An interrogation differs from an interview because it:
A. Is always voluntary
B. Focuses on suspects with legal pressure
C. Is conducted in public
D. Requires a jury
Answer: B
Rationale: Interrogations are structured and aimed at obtaining confessions.
8. The exclusionary rule prevents:
A. Police reports
B. Illegal evidence from being used in court
C. Witness statements
D. Jury selection
Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence obtained unlawfully is inadmissible.
9. A witness statement is considered:
A. Physical evidence
B. Testimonial evidence
C. Direct physical proof
D. Trace evidence
, Answer: B
Rationale: It is verbal or written account from a person.
10. Which is NOT a forensic discipline?
A. DNA analysis
B. Toxicology
C. Astrology
D. Ballistics
Answer: C
Rationale: Astrology is not a scientific forensic method.
11. The primary purpose of Miranda rights is to:
A. Convict suspects
B. Protect suspect’s constitutional rights
C. Speed up trials
D. Avoid investigations
Answer: B
Rationale: They protect against self-incrimination.
12. Physical evidence is best defined as:
A. Opinions
B. Tangible objects linked to crime
C. Rumors
D. Confessions
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical evidence includes objects like weapons or clothing.
13. A suspect becomes a person of interest when:
A. Arrested
B. Evidence links them to a crime
C. They confess
D. They are guilty
Answer: B
Rationale: Investigators identify individuals based on evidence.
14. The most reliable evidence type is:
A. Eyewitness memory
B. Physical evidence
C. Gossip
D. Assumptions
