MPTC CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
CERTIFICATION EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ how big is the inner perimeter. Answer: Should be at least twice the
size as the actual crime scene (can always be adjusted later)
◉ how many officers should guard the crime scene of an inner
perimeter? Answer: two
◉ who is allowed at a crime scene. Answer: authorized investigators and
crime scene investigators ONLY
◉ crime scene log. Answer: Document that tracks who visits and enters
the crime scene and for what purpose.
◉ information on a crime scene log. Answer: date and time log began
all persons inside/entering (victims/witnesses/suspects/police)
name and agency of people entering
entry date, time and signature
reason for entry
,exit date, time and signature
◉ outer perimeter. Answer: Staging area for support personnel and
equipment
◉ what is the use of an outer perimeter? Answer: -store equipment and
supplies
-create a log of equipment assets and supplies to include date/location
when deployed
-credentialed news media representatives
◉ purpose of a rough sketch. Answer: provide an overview of the crime
scene and its contents
◉ overall photograph. Answer: take one overall photograph of person to
include their face and other unique features (tattoos, clothing, jewely,
etc.)
◉ mid-range photograph. Answer: take photos of injury 2-4 feet away
while keeping other distinguishing person features from overall image in
view
◉ close-up photograph. Answer: take photos of each injury from less
than 2 feet away. place ruler next to injury to demonstrate size
,◉ follow-up photograph. Answer: injury bruising and swelling may
intensify 2-3 days later. use the same protocols as overall, mid-range and
close-up during follow-up photographs
◉ systematic searches. Answer: are determined by circumstances and
individual officer preference. more effective when done consistently
(top-down, front-back, left-right, outside-inside)
◉ lane search. Answer: Used to cover large areas quickly for missing
people or evidence
(ex. looking for a red shirt in an open field)
-divide area into equal parallel lanes go in the same direction
◉ max width for lane and grid searches. Answer: six feet
◉ grid search. Answer: Cover areas more thoroughly for evidence that is
harder to find.
Ex. 6" knife in wooded area
- Equal parallel lanes cross over each other at 90 degrees
◉ zone search. Answer: cover crime scenes that can be divided into
obvious quadrants.
(ex. each room in a house could be a zone)
, lane or grid methods can be used in each zone
◉ Person search incident to arrest. Answer: a search incident to arrest
may be made only for purposes of seizing contraband, instrumentalities
or other evidence of the crime for which an arrest has been made, to
prevent concealment or destruction. also to remove any weapons that
could be used to escape.
◉ best practices for strip searches. Answer: private area/not viewable to
the public
no more than one additional officer present
gender of officer and suspect are the same
the officer does not touch suspect
done in a non-humiliating way consistent with department policy
◉ search the person _____ before any containers in his or her
possession. Answer: first
◉ when can an officer search a vehicle for evidence? Answer: they have
a warrant, PC, consent or search incident to arrest
◉ Vehicle search incident to arrest. Answer: Can only occur if the
arrestee is unsecured and within reaching distance of the passenger
compartment at the time of the search or there is reason to believe the
vehicle contains evidence relevant to the crime of arrest.
CERTIFICATION EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ how big is the inner perimeter. Answer: Should be at least twice the
size as the actual crime scene (can always be adjusted later)
◉ how many officers should guard the crime scene of an inner
perimeter? Answer: two
◉ who is allowed at a crime scene. Answer: authorized investigators and
crime scene investigators ONLY
◉ crime scene log. Answer: Document that tracks who visits and enters
the crime scene and for what purpose.
◉ information on a crime scene log. Answer: date and time log began
all persons inside/entering (victims/witnesses/suspects/police)
name and agency of people entering
entry date, time and signature
reason for entry
,exit date, time and signature
◉ outer perimeter. Answer: Staging area for support personnel and
equipment
◉ what is the use of an outer perimeter? Answer: -store equipment and
supplies
-create a log of equipment assets and supplies to include date/location
when deployed
-credentialed news media representatives
◉ purpose of a rough sketch. Answer: provide an overview of the crime
scene and its contents
◉ overall photograph. Answer: take one overall photograph of person to
include their face and other unique features (tattoos, clothing, jewely,
etc.)
◉ mid-range photograph. Answer: take photos of injury 2-4 feet away
while keeping other distinguishing person features from overall image in
view
◉ close-up photograph. Answer: take photos of each injury from less
than 2 feet away. place ruler next to injury to demonstrate size
,◉ follow-up photograph. Answer: injury bruising and swelling may
intensify 2-3 days later. use the same protocols as overall, mid-range and
close-up during follow-up photographs
◉ systematic searches. Answer: are determined by circumstances and
individual officer preference. more effective when done consistently
(top-down, front-back, left-right, outside-inside)
◉ lane search. Answer: Used to cover large areas quickly for missing
people or evidence
(ex. looking for a red shirt in an open field)
-divide area into equal parallel lanes go in the same direction
◉ max width for lane and grid searches. Answer: six feet
◉ grid search. Answer: Cover areas more thoroughly for evidence that is
harder to find.
Ex. 6" knife in wooded area
- Equal parallel lanes cross over each other at 90 degrees
◉ zone search. Answer: cover crime scenes that can be divided into
obvious quadrants.
(ex. each room in a house could be a zone)
, lane or grid methods can be used in each zone
◉ Person search incident to arrest. Answer: a search incident to arrest
may be made only for purposes of seizing contraband, instrumentalities
or other evidence of the crime for which an arrest has been made, to
prevent concealment or destruction. also to remove any weapons that
could be used to escape.
◉ best practices for strip searches. Answer: private area/not viewable to
the public
no more than one additional officer present
gender of officer and suspect are the same
the officer does not touch suspect
done in a non-humiliating way consistent with department policy
◉ search the person _____ before any containers in his or her
possession. Answer: first
◉ when can an officer search a vehicle for evidence? Answer: they have
a warrant, PC, consent or search incident to arrest
◉ Vehicle search incident to arrest. Answer: Can only occur if the
arrestee is unsecured and within reaching distance of the passenger
compartment at the time of the search or there is reason to believe the
vehicle contains evidence relevant to the crime of arrest.
