TEST BANK CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION 12TH
EDITION SWANSON (CHAPTER 1-22) QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Q&A 2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of a
criminal investigation?
A. To secure convictions at all costs
B. To collect evidence that proves guilt only
C. To discover facts and establish truth
D. To interrogate suspects aggressively
Rationale: The goal of investigation is objective fact-finding, not
bias toward guilt.
Correct answer: C. To discover facts and establish truth
2. The first responder at a crime scene should primarily focus
on:
A. Searching the entire building immediately
B. Securing and preserving the scene
C. Interrogating witnesses
D. Collecting all visible evidence
,Rationale: Scene integrity must be preserved before any
investigation begins.
Correct answer: B. Securing and preserving the scene
3. Chain of custody refers to:
A. The list of suspects in a case
B. The documentation of evidence handling
C. The sequence of interrogation questions
D. The arrest procedure timeline
Rationale: Chain of custody ensures evidence integrity and
admissibility.
Correct answer: B. The documentation of evidence handling
4. Physical evidence is best defined as:
A. Witness testimony
B. Tangible objects linked to a crime
C. Police reports
D. Confessions only
Rationale: Physical evidence includes objects that can be
collected and analyzed.
Correct answer: B. Tangible objects linked to a crime
5. The most important reason for documenting a crime scene
is to:
,A. Speed up investigation
B. Replace witness testimony
C. Preserve original conditions
D. Identify suspects immediately
Rationale: Documentation preserves the scene for later
analysis.
Correct answer: C. Preserve original conditions
6. A suspect differs from a person of interest because a
suspect:
A. Has been formally cleared
B. Has no connection to the crime
C. Is believed to be involved in the crime
D. Is always arrested immediately
Rationale: A suspect is believed to be involved based on
evidence or suspicion.
Correct answer: C. Is believed to be involved in the crime
7. The primary purpose of forensic science in investigations is
to:
A. Replace investigators
B. Provide scientific analysis of evidence
C. Conduct arrests
D. Determine guilt directly
, Rationale: Forensic science supports investigations through
analysis.
Correct answer: B. Provide scientific analysis of evidence
8. Which of the following is NOT a form of evidence?
A. Fingerprints
B. Eyewitness statements
C. DNA samples
D. Physical objects
Rationale: Witness statements are testimonial, not physical
evidence.
Correct answer: B. Eyewitness statements
9. Locard’s Exchange Principle states that:
A. Crimes cannot be solved without confession
B. Every contact leaves a trace
C. Only DNA is reliable evidence
D. Investigations rely only on witnesses
Rationale: Locard’s principle is foundational in forensic science.
Correct answer: B. Every contact leaves a trace
10. The purpose of interviewing witnesses is to:
EDITION SWANSON (CHAPTER 1-22) QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Q&A 2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of a
criminal investigation?
A. To secure convictions at all costs
B. To collect evidence that proves guilt only
C. To discover facts and establish truth
D. To interrogate suspects aggressively
Rationale: The goal of investigation is objective fact-finding, not
bias toward guilt.
Correct answer: C. To discover facts and establish truth
2. The first responder at a crime scene should primarily focus
on:
A. Searching the entire building immediately
B. Securing and preserving the scene
C. Interrogating witnesses
D. Collecting all visible evidence
,Rationale: Scene integrity must be preserved before any
investigation begins.
Correct answer: B. Securing and preserving the scene
3. Chain of custody refers to:
A. The list of suspects in a case
B. The documentation of evidence handling
C. The sequence of interrogation questions
D. The arrest procedure timeline
Rationale: Chain of custody ensures evidence integrity and
admissibility.
Correct answer: B. The documentation of evidence handling
4. Physical evidence is best defined as:
A. Witness testimony
B. Tangible objects linked to a crime
C. Police reports
D. Confessions only
Rationale: Physical evidence includes objects that can be
collected and analyzed.
Correct answer: B. Tangible objects linked to a crime
5. The most important reason for documenting a crime scene
is to:
,A. Speed up investigation
B. Replace witness testimony
C. Preserve original conditions
D. Identify suspects immediately
Rationale: Documentation preserves the scene for later
analysis.
Correct answer: C. Preserve original conditions
6. A suspect differs from a person of interest because a
suspect:
A. Has been formally cleared
B. Has no connection to the crime
C. Is believed to be involved in the crime
D. Is always arrested immediately
Rationale: A suspect is believed to be involved based on
evidence or suspicion.
Correct answer: C. Is believed to be involved in the crime
7. The primary purpose of forensic science in investigations is
to:
A. Replace investigators
B. Provide scientific analysis of evidence
C. Conduct arrests
D. Determine guilt directly
, Rationale: Forensic science supports investigations through
analysis.
Correct answer: B. Provide scientific analysis of evidence
8. Which of the following is NOT a form of evidence?
A. Fingerprints
B. Eyewitness statements
C. DNA samples
D. Physical objects
Rationale: Witness statements are testimonial, not physical
evidence.
Correct answer: B. Eyewitness statements
9. Locard’s Exchange Principle states that:
A. Crimes cannot be solved without confession
B. Every contact leaves a trace
C. Only DNA is reliable evidence
D. Investigations rely only on witnesses
Rationale: Locard’s principle is foundational in forensic science.
Correct answer: B. Every contact leaves a trace
10. The purpose of interviewing witnesses is to:
