CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR IAI CERTIFICATION EXAM
NEWEST 2024 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 60 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) |ALREADY PASSED
Evidence - ANSWER: Something legally submitted to a competent trier of fact as a
means of ascertaining the truth of any alleged matter under investigation.
Two Broad Types of Evidence - ANSWER: 1. Testimonial Evidence
2. Real, or Physical Evidence
What is Physical Evidence? - ANSWER: Any Type of Evidence with an objective
existence, that is anything with size, shape, and dimension.
Physical Evidence may also be considered either - ANSWER: 1. Direct evidence
(evidence that supports a conclusion of fact without inference)
OR
2. Circumstantial evidence (evidence that requires inference to connect it to a
conclusion of fact).
Physical Evidence - ANSWER: May be more reliable than eyewitnesses to crimes.
CSI Effect - ANSWER: Has made jurors expect, even demand, physical evidence.
One Factor making the public's notion of the role of physical evidence - ANSWER:
Science and technology are perceived by most of the public to be unbiased and not
subject to manipulation.
Negative Evidence - ANSWER: the absence of physical evidence. May provide useful
information and even stop defense arguments at the time of trial
Can every item of physical evidence be directly associated to a specific person, place,
or thing and believe that it is possible to link that evidence to a unique source. -
ANSWER: No
Can Majority of Physical Evidence found at crime scenes be only Classified -
ANSWER: True
Classification of Evidence - ANSWER: Meaning physical evidence placed into groups
with all other items having the same properties or class characteristics.
Types of Pattern Evidence - ANSWER: (fingerprints, firearms evidence, footwear
evidence, tire impressions, and tool marks)
,Practitioners would offer a conclusive opinion that the known and questioned item
came from a common source to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty.
The ability to associate an item of evidence to a sole, unique source is currently
being hotly debated. - ANSWER: True
What does DNA testing use? - ANSWER: Statistical occurrence of discrete pieces of
genetic material or alleles.
Can physical evidence that is identified corroborate testimony, place a subject at a
scene, and be useful in a variety of ways as an interrogation tool? - ANSWER: Yes
Chain of Custody - ANSWER: Proof that evidence collected during an investigation
and the evidence ultimately submitted to the court are one and the same. To prove
that the integrity of the physical evidence has been maintained. Shows who had
contact with the evidence, at what time, under what circumstances, and what
changes, if any, were made to the evidence.
General Rule on collecting evidence - ANSWER: As much material as is reasonably
possible to collect should be taken. More is better than less.
What is needed for known/exemplar samples for DNA? - ANSWER: Blood samples or
buccal (cheek) swabs from the victim and suspect are needed.
What is needed for known/reference or exemplar samples for Automobile
Specimens? - ANSWER: A known sample of paint from the questioned vehicle must
be submitted for comparison.
What is a good practice for packaging small objects? - ANSWER: Double-wrap very
small objects such as hair, fibers, or glass fragments. These items should first be
folded up in a sheet of paper, such as a pharmacist's fold, and then placed in an
envelope
How should any potential hazard evidence be labeled? - ANSWER: Labeled with any
potential hazards such as biohazard stickers
Use of Expert Witnesses - ANSWER: Because scientific principles relating to physical
evidence are often beyond the knowledge of laypeople, courts permit persons with
specialized training and skills to testify in court to explain and interpret scientific
evidence to juries, as well as offer their opinion based on the evidence. Expert
witnesses can be used when the subject of the testimony is beyond the experience
and knowledge of ordinary laypeople.
What is the deciding factor for potential bias? - ANSWER: The integrity of the
professional and the organization. All forensic practitioners owe a duty to the truth.
, What is the guidelines for Forensic Labs? - ANSWER: The American Society of Crime
Laboratory Directors* (ASCLD) has a code of professional practices, Guidelines for
Forensic Laboratory Management Practices (Adopted 1987, Revised 1994).
Who are often called to court to testify as expert witnesses? - ANSWER: Forensic
Practitioners
What is important for a witness to know about cross examination? - ANSWER: The
witness dictates the pace. You do not need to answer any question yes or no. Explain
your rationale.
It is acceptable to say, "I don't believe I am qualified to answer that question."
Do not box yourself into a corner. Beware of questions like, "Have you ever made a
mistake" and "Isn't it possible?"
What is the final element in a crime scene investigation? - ANSWER: Teamwork.
Who must work cooperatively in a crime scene investigation? - ANSWER: Each
element of the criminal investigation—uniformed officer, detective, crime scene
specialist, forensic scientist, coroner, forensic pathologist, photographer, prosecutor,
defense attorney, plus all the other vital players in the "system"
IAI - ANSWER: International Association for Identification
What does the IAI publish? - ANSWER: The Journal of Forensic Identification
Crime Scene Environments - ANSWER: Dynamic, rapidly changing.
The first officer to arrive on a crime scene must be concerned about? - ANSWER:
Countless Details
What is one of the major tasks of the first officer? - ANSWER: Protect the crime
scene
Locard's Exchange Principle - ANSWER: It is not possible for anyone to enter a place
without changing it in some way, either by bringing something to it or by removing
something from it. The notion of an individual coming in contact with a scene and
changing it in some way.
Every contact leaves a Trace
Edmond Locard - ANSWER: French Forensic Scientist - Locard Exchange Principle
What is the most effective way to minimize loss of information? - ANSWER:
Thorough, detailed contemporaneous note taking, that is, recording significant as
well as mundane observations at the time they are noticed.
NEWEST 2024 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 60 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) |ALREADY PASSED
Evidence - ANSWER: Something legally submitted to a competent trier of fact as a
means of ascertaining the truth of any alleged matter under investigation.
Two Broad Types of Evidence - ANSWER: 1. Testimonial Evidence
2. Real, or Physical Evidence
What is Physical Evidence? - ANSWER: Any Type of Evidence with an objective
existence, that is anything with size, shape, and dimension.
Physical Evidence may also be considered either - ANSWER: 1. Direct evidence
(evidence that supports a conclusion of fact without inference)
OR
2. Circumstantial evidence (evidence that requires inference to connect it to a
conclusion of fact).
Physical Evidence - ANSWER: May be more reliable than eyewitnesses to crimes.
CSI Effect - ANSWER: Has made jurors expect, even demand, physical evidence.
One Factor making the public's notion of the role of physical evidence - ANSWER:
Science and technology are perceived by most of the public to be unbiased and not
subject to manipulation.
Negative Evidence - ANSWER: the absence of physical evidence. May provide useful
information and even stop defense arguments at the time of trial
Can every item of physical evidence be directly associated to a specific person, place,
or thing and believe that it is possible to link that evidence to a unique source. -
ANSWER: No
Can Majority of Physical Evidence found at crime scenes be only Classified -
ANSWER: True
Classification of Evidence - ANSWER: Meaning physical evidence placed into groups
with all other items having the same properties or class characteristics.
Types of Pattern Evidence - ANSWER: (fingerprints, firearms evidence, footwear
evidence, tire impressions, and tool marks)
,Practitioners would offer a conclusive opinion that the known and questioned item
came from a common source to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty.
The ability to associate an item of evidence to a sole, unique source is currently
being hotly debated. - ANSWER: True
What does DNA testing use? - ANSWER: Statistical occurrence of discrete pieces of
genetic material or alleles.
Can physical evidence that is identified corroborate testimony, place a subject at a
scene, and be useful in a variety of ways as an interrogation tool? - ANSWER: Yes
Chain of Custody - ANSWER: Proof that evidence collected during an investigation
and the evidence ultimately submitted to the court are one and the same. To prove
that the integrity of the physical evidence has been maintained. Shows who had
contact with the evidence, at what time, under what circumstances, and what
changes, if any, were made to the evidence.
General Rule on collecting evidence - ANSWER: As much material as is reasonably
possible to collect should be taken. More is better than less.
What is needed for known/exemplar samples for DNA? - ANSWER: Blood samples or
buccal (cheek) swabs from the victim and suspect are needed.
What is needed for known/reference or exemplar samples for Automobile
Specimens? - ANSWER: A known sample of paint from the questioned vehicle must
be submitted for comparison.
What is a good practice for packaging small objects? - ANSWER: Double-wrap very
small objects such as hair, fibers, or glass fragments. These items should first be
folded up in a sheet of paper, such as a pharmacist's fold, and then placed in an
envelope
How should any potential hazard evidence be labeled? - ANSWER: Labeled with any
potential hazards such as biohazard stickers
Use of Expert Witnesses - ANSWER: Because scientific principles relating to physical
evidence are often beyond the knowledge of laypeople, courts permit persons with
specialized training and skills to testify in court to explain and interpret scientific
evidence to juries, as well as offer their opinion based on the evidence. Expert
witnesses can be used when the subject of the testimony is beyond the experience
and knowledge of ordinary laypeople.
What is the deciding factor for potential bias? - ANSWER: The integrity of the
professional and the organization. All forensic practitioners owe a duty to the truth.
, What is the guidelines for Forensic Labs? - ANSWER: The American Society of Crime
Laboratory Directors* (ASCLD) has a code of professional practices, Guidelines for
Forensic Laboratory Management Practices (Adopted 1987, Revised 1994).
Who are often called to court to testify as expert witnesses? - ANSWER: Forensic
Practitioners
What is important for a witness to know about cross examination? - ANSWER: The
witness dictates the pace. You do not need to answer any question yes or no. Explain
your rationale.
It is acceptable to say, "I don't believe I am qualified to answer that question."
Do not box yourself into a corner. Beware of questions like, "Have you ever made a
mistake" and "Isn't it possible?"
What is the final element in a crime scene investigation? - ANSWER: Teamwork.
Who must work cooperatively in a crime scene investigation? - ANSWER: Each
element of the criminal investigation—uniformed officer, detective, crime scene
specialist, forensic scientist, coroner, forensic pathologist, photographer, prosecutor,
defense attorney, plus all the other vital players in the "system"
IAI - ANSWER: International Association for Identification
What does the IAI publish? - ANSWER: The Journal of Forensic Identification
Crime Scene Environments - ANSWER: Dynamic, rapidly changing.
The first officer to arrive on a crime scene must be concerned about? - ANSWER:
Countless Details
What is one of the major tasks of the first officer? - ANSWER: Protect the crime
scene
Locard's Exchange Principle - ANSWER: It is not possible for anyone to enter a place
without changing it in some way, either by bringing something to it or by removing
something from it. The notion of an individual coming in contact with a scene and
changing it in some way.
Every contact leaves a Trace
Edmond Locard - ANSWER: French Forensic Scientist - Locard Exchange Principle
What is the most effective way to minimize loss of information? - ANSWER:
Thorough, detailed contemporaneous note taking, that is, recording significant as
well as mundane observations at the time they are noticed.
