Question 1

The advantages of videos include accurate representation of a crime scene and evidence and the ability to show distance and sound capability to more fully document what is being seen.

Accepted Answer

Videos can accurately represent a crime scene and evidence, and can also provide additional details such as distance and sound, making them a useful tool for documenting situations.

Question 2

The rough sketch must always be drawn to scale.

Accepted Answer

The rough sketch is not required to be drawn to scale. It is a preliminary drawing that helps to visualize and plan the final design. It can be a quick, freehand drawing that does not have to be precise or to a specific scale.

Question 3

Digital photographs can create a virtual scene similar to Pictometry.

Accepted Answer

Digital photographs can be stitched together to create a virtual scene similar to Pictometry, a technology that captures aerial images at an oblique angle.

Question 4

Notes are not admissible in court.

Accepted Answer

Notes can be admissible in court as evidence, depending on their relevance, authenticity, and compliance with legal standards such as the hearsay rule exceptions.

Question 5

A notebook is only a temporary report to record facts and has no real evidentiary value in itself.

Accepted Answer

Notebooks can have evidentiary value, as they may be used to document observations, conversations, or events that can later be used as evidence in legal proceedings. However, the weight given to the notebook as evidence will depend on the circumstances and the credibility of the person making the entries.

Question 6

If an item of evidence has inadvertently been moved before being photographed, put it back immediately and then resume taking photos.

Accepted Answer

Moving evidence back to its original position after it has been moved can compromise the integrity of the scene and the evidence itself. It's important to document the scene as it is found.

Question 7

Checklists are a critical aspect of the law enforcement function, especially when it comes to crime scene photography.

Accepted Answer

Checklists help ensure that all necessary photographs are taken at a crime scene and that important details are not overlooked, ultimately aiding in the investigation and prosecution of a case.

Question 8

The first step in sketching a crime scene is to outline the area and the crime.

Accepted Answer

The first step in sketching a crime scene is to secure the scene and ensure it is safe and preserved for accurate documentation.

Question 9

Photographs and videotapes reproduce the crime scene in detail, primarily for presentation to the media.

Accepted Answer

Photographs and videotapes are primarily used to document the crime scene for investigative purposes, not for presentation to the media. While media may sometimes be provided with images and video, this is not the primary purpose.

Question 10

Ultraviolet-light photography is used to document bite marks, neck strangulation marks, and other impressions left from intentional injuries.

Accepted Answer

Ultraviolet-light photography is commonly used in forensic investigations to enhance the visibility of injuries that may not be easily visible to the naked eye. By using this technique, forensic experts can better document and analyze evidence related to intentional injuries such as bite marks and neck strangulation marks.

Question 11

Evidence not discernible to the naked eye can be detected by laser-beam photography.

Accepted Answer

Laser-beam photography uses lasers to capture images of surfaces and can detect evidence that may not be visible to the naked eye, such as fingerprints and invisible ink.

Question 12

To be admissible in court, photographs must be material, relevant, competent, accurate, free of distortion, and noninflammatory.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. In order to be admissible in court, photographs must meet certain criteria, including being material and relevant to the case, accurate, free of manipulation or distortion, and noninflammatory (meaning they do not unfairly prejudice the judge or jury).

Question 13

The purpose of a marker in a photograph is to show the location of the specific object being photographed.

Accepted Answer

A marker in a photograph is typically used to indicate a point of interest or to provide scale, not necessarily to show the location of the object being photographed.

Question 14

It is best to include every possible detail in a crime scene sketch.

Accepted Answer

Including every possible detail in a crime scene sketch may be impractical and overwhelming, leading to a cluttered and confusing sketch. Only the relevant and significant details should be included to accurately depict the crime scene.

Question 15

An investigator's scene sketch is often an extremely important investigative aid.

Accepted Answer

An investigator's scene sketch is a visual representation of the scene of a crime or incident which can help investigators to recreate the sequence of events and identify potential evidence. It allows the investigator to accurately document the scene and can be used to clarify details during interviews and in court. Therefore, it is an important investigative aid.

Question 16

Cameras may be stored wherever they are most readily available for use.

Accepted Answer

Cameras, especially professional or sensitive ones, should be stored in a clean, dry, and temperature-controlled environment to prevent damage and maintain their functionality.

Question 17

The basic purpose of crime scene photography is to record the entire crime scene permanently.

Accepted Answer

Crime scene photography is conducted to document the entire crime scene in detail, including the location of evidence and other important visual information that could be relevant to the investigation or prosecution of the crime. This documentation is crucial for reconstructing the scene and providing evidence in court.

Question 18

It is important to take crime scene photographs from eye level.

Accepted Answer

Taking crime scene photographs from eye level provides a more accurate representation of the scene and helps to preserve the spatial relationships between items in the scene. It also helps to avoid distortion or skewed perspectives that can occur when photographs are taken from a high or low angle.

Question 19

Digital cameras have not yet been approved for court use for crime scene photography.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Digital cameras have been approved for court use for crime scene photography in many jurisdictions. However, it is important that proper procedures are followed to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the images.

Question 20

Microphotography is useful in criminal investigations because it renders bruises and injuries visible long after their actual occurrence.

Accepted Answer

Microphotography is primarily used for photographing very small objects or details, not for rendering bruises and injuries visible long after their occurrence. Techniques like alternate light photography are more commonly used for enhancing visibility of old bruises and injuries in forensic investigations.

Quiz 2: Documenting the Crime Scene Note Taking Photographing and Sketching