MCOLES CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
▶ Photograph crime scene? Answer:Selects proper equipment
Photographs exact location of crime(house number/street sign)
Photographs general exterior (perimeter)
Photographs specifics of the crime (evidence/victims)
Logs sequence of pictures taken at crime scene
▶ Grid Search? Answer:A search method employed by two or more people
overlapping separate line searches forming a grid. This method is best
used in large crime scenes such as fields or woods (outside). Several
searches, or a line of them, move alongside each other from one end to the
other.
▶ Quadrant/zone search? Answer:A search method in which the crime
scene is divided into smaller sections (zones or quadrants) and team
members are assigned to search each section. Each of these sections can
be divided into smaller sections for smaller teams to search thoroughly.
Best searching for a small object
▶ Spiral Search? Answer:Carried out by a single person involves the
searcher walking in a circular fashion from the outer point of crime scence
towards the central point. DO NOT START IN CENTER AS EVIDENCE
COULD BE DESTROYED
▶ Examinbe body for evidence of unnatural death? Answer:Notify medical
examiner of death
Investigate death scene for evidence of unnatural death before searching
the body by considering the length of time the person has been dead,
visual signs of violence, apperance of the body, etc.
▶ Search bodies for identification when death is determined to be natural?
Answer:Searches body to locate identification (e.g, checks pockets, checks
,purse) or identifying marks (e.g., scars, tattoos, amputations, medical alert
tags) if death was natural
Inventories valuables obtained in search
Secured personal property obtained from a dead body
▶ Conduct a Show up? Answer:Identifies possible suspects at the scene of
the crime by:
-Interviewing witnesses
-reviewing evidence; or
-reviewing suspect's description
Locates the suspect by radio communications with base station or other
officers or searching the surrounding area
Determines whether it is legal to conduct a show up:
-a limited period of time has elapsed since the crime was committed;
-probably cause is absent that the suspect committed the crime; and
-to eliminate innocent victims of circumstances from suspicion.
Transports victim/witnesses to the suspect for viewing
-to eliminate a potentially innocent person from being a victim of
circumstances
-to minimize the level of government intrusion
▶ Plan for a search? Answer:Determines the appropriate search method
based upon available personnel, equipment, and physical characteristics of
the area to be searched, including:
-spiral
-grid
-quadrant
Conducts a briefing describing:
-Facts relating to the crime and crime scene
-officers' assignments for the search
▶ Know what an officer may have to do prior to search of crime scene?
Answer:Protection of the crime scene
Secure the scene: the scene where the body is located is usually the area
most critical to the death investigator. Examining this area is CRUCIAL to
the death investigation.
▶ Zone search pattern? Answer:
▶ Grid search pattern? Answer:
, ▶ Strip Method or Line Method? Answer:
▶ Crime in progress scene? Answer:Establish control of perimeter
Protect crime scene
Search immediate area for support personnel
Conduct preliminary crime scene search
Collects and records evidence
▶ Case planning? Answer:Review a case with prosecutor or city attorney
to plan for preparation of case
Check that witnesses are present
Introduce witnesses to prosecutor
Explain courtroom proceedings
Refrain from coaching witnesses
▶ Stroke? Answer:maintain an open airway
▶ Car Accident? Answer:Ask bystanders if they can identify witnesses
Request media to assist with locating possible witnesses
Record statement and have those involved write a written statement
Arrange for those involved at traffic stop to repeat statements in each
others presence
Collect and document physical evidence from crash scene
Photograph, locate field sketch , use proper container
For a skid measure beginning and end of measurement
If a vehicle is crashed at an unsafe proximity to a live wire call utilities do
not attempt to rescue driver
▶ Marksmanship? Answer:Stance
Grip
Trigger Control
Sight alignment
Sight picture
▶ Warrants? Answer:Write affidavit for search warrant for review by
magistrate
Review for accuracy and completeness of affidavit before presenting it to
judge
Raise right hand to swear to accuracy
Serve copy of warrant by giving it to the person in control of premises or
leave in conspicuous place if peremisis is unoccupied
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
▶ Photograph crime scene? Answer:Selects proper equipment
Photographs exact location of crime(house number/street sign)
Photographs general exterior (perimeter)
Photographs specifics of the crime (evidence/victims)
Logs sequence of pictures taken at crime scene
▶ Grid Search? Answer:A search method employed by two or more people
overlapping separate line searches forming a grid. This method is best
used in large crime scenes such as fields or woods (outside). Several
searches, or a line of them, move alongside each other from one end to the
other.
▶ Quadrant/zone search? Answer:A search method in which the crime
scene is divided into smaller sections (zones or quadrants) and team
members are assigned to search each section. Each of these sections can
be divided into smaller sections for smaller teams to search thoroughly.
Best searching for a small object
▶ Spiral Search? Answer:Carried out by a single person involves the
searcher walking in a circular fashion from the outer point of crime scence
towards the central point. DO NOT START IN CENTER AS EVIDENCE
COULD BE DESTROYED
▶ Examinbe body for evidence of unnatural death? Answer:Notify medical
examiner of death
Investigate death scene for evidence of unnatural death before searching
the body by considering the length of time the person has been dead,
visual signs of violence, apperance of the body, etc.
▶ Search bodies for identification when death is determined to be natural?
Answer:Searches body to locate identification (e.g, checks pockets, checks
,purse) or identifying marks (e.g., scars, tattoos, amputations, medical alert
tags) if death was natural
Inventories valuables obtained in search
Secured personal property obtained from a dead body
▶ Conduct a Show up? Answer:Identifies possible suspects at the scene of
the crime by:
-Interviewing witnesses
-reviewing evidence; or
-reviewing suspect's description
Locates the suspect by radio communications with base station or other
officers or searching the surrounding area
Determines whether it is legal to conduct a show up:
-a limited period of time has elapsed since the crime was committed;
-probably cause is absent that the suspect committed the crime; and
-to eliminate innocent victims of circumstances from suspicion.
Transports victim/witnesses to the suspect for viewing
-to eliminate a potentially innocent person from being a victim of
circumstances
-to minimize the level of government intrusion
▶ Plan for a search? Answer:Determines the appropriate search method
based upon available personnel, equipment, and physical characteristics of
the area to be searched, including:
-spiral
-grid
-quadrant
Conducts a briefing describing:
-Facts relating to the crime and crime scene
-officers' assignments for the search
▶ Know what an officer may have to do prior to search of crime scene?
Answer:Protection of the crime scene
Secure the scene: the scene where the body is located is usually the area
most critical to the death investigator. Examining this area is CRUCIAL to
the death investigation.
▶ Zone search pattern? Answer:
▶ Grid search pattern? Answer:
, ▶ Strip Method or Line Method? Answer:
▶ Crime in progress scene? Answer:Establish control of perimeter
Protect crime scene
Search immediate area for support personnel
Conduct preliminary crime scene search
Collects and records evidence
▶ Case planning? Answer:Review a case with prosecutor or city attorney
to plan for preparation of case
Check that witnesses are present
Introduce witnesses to prosecutor
Explain courtroom proceedings
Refrain from coaching witnesses
▶ Stroke? Answer:maintain an open airway
▶ Car Accident? Answer:Ask bystanders if they can identify witnesses
Request media to assist with locating possible witnesses
Record statement and have those involved write a written statement
Arrange for those involved at traffic stop to repeat statements in each
others presence
Collect and document physical evidence from crash scene
Photograph, locate field sketch , use proper container
For a skid measure beginning and end of measurement
If a vehicle is crashed at an unsafe proximity to a live wire call utilities do
not attempt to rescue driver
▶ Marksmanship? Answer:Stance
Grip
Trigger Control
Sight alignment
Sight picture
▶ Warrants? Answer:Write affidavit for search warrant for review by
magistrate
Review for accuracy and completeness of affidavit before presenting it to
judge
Raise right hand to swear to accuracy
Serve copy of warrant by giving it to the person in control of premises or
leave in conspicuous place if peremisis is unoccupied
