Evidence Handling WGU Fast-Track
Framework: OA Scenario Analysis, PA
Submission Strategy, Competency
Prioritization & High-Impact Study Method
(2026–2027)
Description
The WGU Fast-Track Framework is a comprehensive and
strategically designed study resource created for students
at Western Governors University (WGU) who want to
progress through their courses with speed, clarity, and
confidence. Built around WGU’s competency-based
education model, this guide focuses on helping you
identify exactly what is required to pass and how to
approach assessments in the most efficient way possible.
Unlike traditional study materials that often lead to
overstudying and confusion, this framework is designed
to help you prioritize, apply, and execute. It provides a
clear system that allows you to focus on high-impact
areas, understand assessment expectations, and perform
,effectively in both Objective Assessments (OA) and
Performance Assessments (PA).
Questions 1–20: Foundational Concepts & Types of Evidence
1. What is the golden rule of evidence handling?
A) Always touch evidence with bare hands
B) Preserve, document, and maintain chain of custody from discovery to disposal
C) Destroy all evidence after trial
D) Only DNA matters
2. Direct evidence proves a fact:
A) Without the need for inference (e.g., eyewitness testimony)
B) By circumstantial inference only
C) Only if it is physical
D) Never in court
3. Circumstantial evidence requires:
A) An inference to connect it to a fact
B) No reasoning
C) A confession
D) A witness to the crime
4. Physical evidence includes:
A) Weapons, fingerprints, DNA, documents
B) Hearsay testimony
C) Opinion of an expert without basis
D) Memory of a witness
5. Biological evidence includes:
A) Blood, semen, saliva, tissue
B) Bullets
C) Glass fragments
D) Fiber samples
, 6. Trace evidence is:
A) Large and obvious
B) Small or microscopic (hair, fiber, paint, glass)
C) Always DNA
D) Never useful
7. Class evidence can:
A) Be traced to a single unique source
B) Be associated with a group (e.g., blood type, brand of tape)
C) Never be used in court
D) Only be circumstantial
8. Individual evidence can:
A) Be traced to a single source (e.g., fingerprint, DNA)
B) Only be class evidence
C) Never identify a person
D) Always be wrong
9. The chain of custody documents:
A) The complete sequence of every person who handled evidence
B) Only the arresting officer's name
C) The suspect's opinion
D) Only the final destruction date
10. A break in the chain of custody can lead to:
A) Exclusion of evidence at trial
B) A raise for the officer
C) Automatic conviction
D) No consequences
11. Fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine applies to:
A) Evidence obtained from illegal government conduct
B) Evidence found in an orchard
C) Only confessions
D) Civil cases only
12. The burden of proof for chain of custody is:
A) Beyond a reasonable doubt
B) Preponderance of evidence (reasonable probability of no tampering)
Framework: OA Scenario Analysis, PA
Submission Strategy, Competency
Prioritization & High-Impact Study Method
(2026–2027)
Description
The WGU Fast-Track Framework is a comprehensive and
strategically designed study resource created for students
at Western Governors University (WGU) who want to
progress through their courses with speed, clarity, and
confidence. Built around WGU’s competency-based
education model, this guide focuses on helping you
identify exactly what is required to pass and how to
approach assessments in the most efficient way possible.
Unlike traditional study materials that often lead to
overstudying and confusion, this framework is designed
to help you prioritize, apply, and execute. It provides a
clear system that allows you to focus on high-impact
areas, understand assessment expectations, and perform
,effectively in both Objective Assessments (OA) and
Performance Assessments (PA).
Questions 1–20: Foundational Concepts & Types of Evidence
1. What is the golden rule of evidence handling?
A) Always touch evidence with bare hands
B) Preserve, document, and maintain chain of custody from discovery to disposal
C) Destroy all evidence after trial
D) Only DNA matters
2. Direct evidence proves a fact:
A) Without the need for inference (e.g., eyewitness testimony)
B) By circumstantial inference only
C) Only if it is physical
D) Never in court
3. Circumstantial evidence requires:
A) An inference to connect it to a fact
B) No reasoning
C) A confession
D) A witness to the crime
4. Physical evidence includes:
A) Weapons, fingerprints, DNA, documents
B) Hearsay testimony
C) Opinion of an expert without basis
D) Memory of a witness
5. Biological evidence includes:
A) Blood, semen, saliva, tissue
B) Bullets
C) Glass fragments
D) Fiber samples
, 6. Trace evidence is:
A) Large and obvious
B) Small or microscopic (hair, fiber, paint, glass)
C) Always DNA
D) Never useful
7. Class evidence can:
A) Be traced to a single unique source
B) Be associated with a group (e.g., blood type, brand of tape)
C) Never be used in court
D) Only be circumstantial
8. Individual evidence can:
A) Be traced to a single source (e.g., fingerprint, DNA)
B) Only be class evidence
C) Never identify a person
D) Always be wrong
9. The chain of custody documents:
A) The complete sequence of every person who handled evidence
B) Only the arresting officer's name
C) The suspect's opinion
D) Only the final destruction date
10. A break in the chain of custody can lead to:
A) Exclusion of evidence at trial
B) A raise for the officer
C) Automatic conviction
D) No consequences
11. Fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine applies to:
A) Evidence obtained from illegal government conduct
B) Evidence found in an orchard
C) Only confessions
D) Civil cases only
12. The burden of proof for chain of custody is:
A) Beyond a reasonable doubt
B) Preponderance of evidence (reasonable probability of no tampering)
