Criminal Investigations and Forensics Final Exam

What is the most complex and dangerous type of missing child case where force or trickery is used?

Nonfamily abduction

What percent of abducted and murdered children are killed within the first 3 hours?

74%

When bodies of abducted children are discarded, how are they usually left?

Hidden or concealed

Are boys or girls more at risk for severe physical abuse?

Boys

Are child abuse incidents usually isolated?

No - they usually occur repeatedly.

What crime is committed when a parent fails to provide food, clothing, or shelter (not due to poverty)?

Child neglect.

What is an accurate profile of a killer of abducted children?

About 27 years old, unmarried, unemployed half the time.

What is the typical duration of a kidnapping?

Less than 24 hours (about 90%)

When must suspected child abuse be reported?

Usually within 24 hours.

What must a teacher do if they see suspicious bruising on a child?

Report suspected abuse to police or social services.

Physical abuse risk is highest among children under what age?

Under 5 years old

What is child abuse?

Active harm to a child.

What is child neglect?

Failure to provide basic needs.

Can bombs be constructed to look like almost anything?

Yes.

Which motive accounts for 50% of all arsons in the U.S.?

Profit.

In commercial arsons, do suspects usually leave a paper trail?

No.

Do terrorist groups share similar beliefs?

Yes.

Do terrorist groups have to be large?

No — they can be large or small.

Does the United Nations have one universally accepted definition of terrorism?

No.

What characteristics define terrorism?

Premeditated, politically motivated, violent, against noncombatants.

Are witnesses or evidence harder to find in arson cases?

Witnesses- since most arsons are committed at night

What fires are classified as arson?

Fires that have been willfully or maliciously set

Which drug has the greatest impact on fatalities in the U.S.?

Fentanyl.

Have drug overdose deaths surpassed motor vehicle crashes?

Yes.

What technique involves observing interactions and behavior patterns?

Drug courier profiling.

What are Schedule 1 drugs?

Drugs that have high abuse potential and no accepted medical use.

What are drug distribution areas in large cities called?

Copping areas.

What type of locations emerged in the 1980s near copping areas?

Crack houses

What distinguishes possession from distribution?

Possession = small amount; distribution = larger amount.

What is manufacturing?

Producing or growing drugs.

What law was implemented in 1970 to control drug crimes?

The Controlled Substances Act.

What does the Controlled Substances Act regulate?

Manufacturing, distribution, possession of narcotics.

Are informants commonly used to initiate drug cases?

Yes.

What is a sting operation?

Officers pose as drug dealers to arrest buyers.

Which country has the greatest impact on the drug situation in the United States?

Mexico

What is asset forfeiture?

Seizing property used to store or transport drugs.

Do drug‑trafficking organizations make tens of billions annually?

Yes.

Which statement reflects current gang trends?

Expanding

In 2017, police most frequently used lethal force after encountering which type of people?

Those armed with knives or guns

What is the development of a likely or probable sequence of events in a shooting incident?

Shooting scene reconstruction

What type of investigation into an officer-involved shooting is typically conducted by a neutral outside law enforcement agency?

Criminal (external)

An administrative investigation is typically conducted by what type of investigators?

Internal affairs

What is the primary piece of evidence in officer‑involved shootings?

The firearm.

Are radio transmissions important evidence in officer-involved shootings?

Yes

In investigations into officer-involved shootings, legality must first be determined?

True

Who is the first incident commander at a crime scene?

The first officer and supervisor to arrive.

What is the first priority of the first officer to respond to an officer-involved shooting scene

Safety of the involved officer(s) and any innocent bystanders

Why must witnesses be separated?

To prevent shared accounts or influence each other’s statements

How does trauma affect officers?

It can impair their ability to cope and react appropriately.

How many people armed with knives or guns were killed by officers in 2017?

735.

How many of those killed by officers in 2017 were white males?

330.

What are mobile data terminals and what do they provide investigators?

They are computers inside scout cars and have information for investigators (when they arrived at a scene, etc.). They are an important piece of evidence

What is exculpatory evidence?

Evidence that establishes a defendant’s innocence.

What is the Best Evidence Rule?

Courts require the original document or recording.

Who is responsible for bringing physical evidence to court?

The officer in charge of the case.

What is the purpose of a polygraph in investigations?

To assess credibility, not determine guilt.

What do defense attorneys often attack in court?

The credibility of an officer’s testimony.

What qualifies someone as an expert witness?

Extensive experience in a specialized area.

What is the progression of courts?

District court → Circuit court.

Should officers talk about cases in public?

No.

Should officers be familiar with rules of evidence?

Yes.

Should officers keep testimony short and specific?

Yes.

What physiological responses does a polygraph measure?

Heart rate, respiration, skin conductivity.

What are deliberate actions to try to beat a polygraph test?

Countermeasures.

What is the primary purpose of a polygraph?

To assist investigators by assessing credibility.