COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO CRIME SCENE
INVESTIGATION AND FORENSIC SCIENCE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What are field notes?
Shorthand written records made by a police officer from the time they arrive at the
scene until the assignment is completed.
Why are field notes considered more reliable than an officer's memory?
They serve as a primary source of information for incident reports and help ensure
important details are not omitted.
What is the purpose of an incident report?
It is a permanent record of what a police officer learns through their senses and actions
from arrival to departure at a scene.
How do field notes contribute to community perception of police?
They can contribute to the perception that the department has well-trained officers.
What important information do field notes establish?
,They establish the location and timing of events, document scene conditions, and
provide a chronology of the officer's actions.
What should be recorded about witnesses in field notes?
Their statements, emotional states, and relationships to the suspect or victim.
What are the guidelines for note-taking during interviews?
Separate witnesses, identify emotional states, avoid revealing emotions, and record
exact words whenever possible.
What is the role of body-worn cameras (BWC) in policing?
They encourage cordial interactions, reduce frivolous complaints, and provide evidence
for training and administrative hearings.
What are some concerns regarding the release of BWC recordings?
Potential misinterpretation of events, privacy rights compromise, and the risk of
compromising active investigations.
What are digital audio recorders (DAR) used for in policing?
To record audio during incidents, with recordings retained as evidence.
What is the benefit of public online reporting systems?
, They allow the public to report crimes instantly and preserve police time for other
services.
What are the six basic investigative questions officers should ask?
Who, what, where, when, how, and why.
What is the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)?
A system developed to redesign the federal Uniform Crime Reporting Program to collect
crime statistics.
What is a narrative report in incident reporting?
A detailed account written in chronological order documenting events that occurred.
What guidelines should be followed when writing incident reports?
Write short sentences and paragraphs, support conclusions with details, and check
spelling and grammar.
What happens if an officer submits substandard reports?
They may receive counseling, coaching, or training, which can delay victims from
getting their reports.
What elements are commonly included in incident reports?
INVESTIGATION AND FORENSIC SCIENCE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What are field notes?
Shorthand written records made by a police officer from the time they arrive at the
scene until the assignment is completed.
Why are field notes considered more reliable than an officer's memory?
They serve as a primary source of information for incident reports and help ensure
important details are not omitted.
What is the purpose of an incident report?
It is a permanent record of what a police officer learns through their senses and actions
from arrival to departure at a scene.
How do field notes contribute to community perception of police?
They can contribute to the perception that the department has well-trained officers.
What important information do field notes establish?
,They establish the location and timing of events, document scene conditions, and
provide a chronology of the officer's actions.
What should be recorded about witnesses in field notes?
Their statements, emotional states, and relationships to the suspect or victim.
What are the guidelines for note-taking during interviews?
Separate witnesses, identify emotional states, avoid revealing emotions, and record
exact words whenever possible.
What is the role of body-worn cameras (BWC) in policing?
They encourage cordial interactions, reduce frivolous complaints, and provide evidence
for training and administrative hearings.
What are some concerns regarding the release of BWC recordings?
Potential misinterpretation of events, privacy rights compromise, and the risk of
compromising active investigations.
What are digital audio recorders (DAR) used for in policing?
To record audio during incidents, with recordings retained as evidence.
What is the benefit of public online reporting systems?
, They allow the public to report crimes instantly and preserve police time for other
services.
What are the six basic investigative questions officers should ask?
Who, what, where, when, how, and why.
What is the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)?
A system developed to redesign the federal Uniform Crime Reporting Program to collect
crime statistics.
What is a narrative report in incident reporting?
A detailed account written in chronological order documenting events that occurred.
What guidelines should be followed when writing incident reports?
Write short sentences and paragraphs, support conclusions with details, and check
spelling and grammar.
What happens if an officer submits substandard reports?
They may receive counseling, coaching, or training, which can delay victims from
getting their reports.
What elements are commonly included in incident reports?
