Criminal Law: Evidence and Proof
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of evidence in court?

  • To undermine other evidence
  • To determine the guilt or innocence of the accused
  • To prove or disprove the existence of a fact (correct)
  • To aid in the determination of punishment

    • What is the key distinction between evidence and proof?

  • Evidence is information, while proof is the effect of that information (correct)
  • Evidence is allowed in court, while proof is not
  • Evidence is used in civil cases, while proof is used in criminal cases
  • Evidence is used to prove a crime, while proof is used to disprove a crime

    • When is evidence typically used in court?

  • During the sentencing stage
  • During the appeal stage
  • During the trial stage (correct)
  • During the investigation stage

    • What determines the relevance of evidence in court?

    <p>The legal framework</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of direct evidence?

    <p>It conclusively establishes a fact without additional information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the distinction between direct and indirect evidence in terms of inference?

    <p>Direct evidence does not require an inference, while indirect evidence does</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major limitation of testimonial evidence?

    <p>People perceive events differently, do not remember accurately, or lie</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of evidence refers to actual objects offered to prove or disprove facts about a case?

    <p>Physical evidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is included in documentary evidence?

    <p>Bank records, medical records, and a certified copy of a driving history</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is physical evidence considered more reliable than testimonial evidence?

    <p>It is less prone to human error and deception</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when physical evidence is correctly identified, protected, collected, preserved, transported, and analyzed?

    <p>It is less likely to deliver false results</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of real evidence that plays a direct part in the crime?

    <p>A piece of torn fabric found at the crime scene</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of photographing a crime scene?

    <p>To create a permanent record of the scene</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the order of photography in a crime scene?

    <p>General to specific</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a scale or identifier in close-up photographs?

    <p>To provide a form of measurement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be considered when using a standard camera flash?

    <p>The distance from the subject</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of reviewing photographs after taking them?

    <p>To ensure they are in focus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using flood lighting or a vehicle spotlight?

    <p>To illuminate the scene from more than 9-12 feet away</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is photographic framing in the context of crime scene photography?

    <p>The composition of the photograph</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of taking midrange photographs in a crime scene?

    <p>To show the relationship between the evidence items</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of analyzing trace evidence with a microscope?

    <p>To determine a possible source or origin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of trace evidence?

    <p>A human hair</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the process of analyzing trace evidence with a microscope?

    <p>Microanalysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an example of trace evidence?

    <p>A fingerprint</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of trace evidence?

    <p>It is small quantities of material</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of a crime laboratory expert in regards to biological evidence?

    <p>Identify body fluids and conduct DNA analysis if needed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of evidence may require examination for saliva?

    <p>Cigarette butts, drinking straws, and soda cans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can experts analyze to determine the type of weapon used in an attack?

    <p>Direction of blood spatter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a requirement when handling certain types of biological evidence?

    <p>Following agency policies and procedures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential use for teeth in a crime scene investigation?

    <p>Serving as identification and evidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who should be contacted when human skeletal remains are discovered?

    <p>A supervisor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an advancement in DNA analysis that allows for the detection of identifiable evidence?

    <p>Detecting evidence in objects that made contact with a victim or suspect for a short time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done when handling biological evidence that requires specific techniques or expertise?

    <p>Follow agency policies and procedures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of evidence can be found in mud, soil, or another pliable material?

    <p>Footprints, shoe impressions, and tire impressions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if it is not possible to submit the entire damaged surface as evidence?

    <p>Follow agency policies and procedures for proper processing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of impressions can crime scene technicians cast?

    <p>Shoe or tire impressions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential use for teeth in a crime scene investigation?

    <p>To provide dental evidence in the form of bite mark impressions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to photograph bite marks as soon as possible?

    <p>To preserve the evidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential link between a suspect and a crime scene?

    <p>Footprints, shoe impressions, and tire impressions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is necessary for an object to have a latent print?

    <p>It must have a surface that is conducive to having latent prints</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of fingerprint is created by touching an impressionable surface?

    <p>Plastic print</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are latent prints among the most valuable types of physical evidence at a crime scene?

    <p>They can be used to identify a suspect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the best way to determine the presence of latent prints on a surface?

    <p>Examining the surface in a crime lab</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be considered when looking for places to locate latent fingerprints at a crime scene?

    <p>The type of surface involved</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of tracing the suspect's movement at a crime scene?

    <p>To locate potential areas for latent fingerprints</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between a patent print and a latent print?

    <p>A patent print is visible, while a latent print is not</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of following agency policies and procedures when collecting and preserving fingerprints?

    <p>To ensure that the fingerprints are collected and preserved in a consistent and reliable manner</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the chemistry section in a crime laboratory?

    <p>To analyze substances to determine the presence or absence of controlled substances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of cases usually result from investigations of DUI, sexual assault, and death?

    <p>Criminal investigations involving controlled substances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is PPE essential when encountering chemical or biological substances?

    <p>To protect oneself from harm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done when collecting drug paraphernalia?

    <p>Package sharp objects, such as needles or syringes, in puncture-proof packages</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of submitting an FDLE public records request?

    <p>To obtain an analysis from the toxicology section of a crime laboratory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be considered when handling chemical or biological substances?

    <p>The use of personal protective equipment (PPE)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a questioned document?

    <p>Any document containing a mark to convey a message</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do document analysts examine for in questioned documents?

    <p>Alterations, erasures, handwriting analysis, indentations, ink comparisons, and machine impressions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to carefully handle documents found at a crime scene?

    <p>To prevent damage that could destroy evidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential benefit of examining questioned documents?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What may be present on questioned documents in addition to latent fingerprints?

    <p>Latent fingerprints and DNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a showup?

    <p>To present a possible suspect to a witness for identification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must be determined before conducting a showup?

    <p>If the victim or witness has personal knowledge of the crime</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why should the showup be conducted as quickly as possible?

    <p>To minimize the impact of the suspect's detention on the investigation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should the victim or witness be cautioned about during the showup?

    <p>That the person they will see may or may not be the suspect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why should the victim or witness be taken to the location of the suspect?

    <p>To make it easier for the victim or witness to identify the suspect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be avoided during the identification process?

    <p>Providing verbal or non-verbal feedback to the victim or witness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to visually conceal the victim or witness?

    <p>To prevent the suspect from seeing the victim or witness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it recommended to record the showup with a body camera?

    <p>To document the identification process</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of displaying a group of people to a victim or eyewitness in a live lineup?

    <p>To identify the perpetrator of a crime and eliminate any suspects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is required by Florida law during the conduct of a lineup, whether live or photo?

    <p>That all law enforcement officers must follow specific requirements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of a live lineup that makes it resource-intensive?

    <p>It requires scheduling additional people who look similar to the suspect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an eyewitness in the context of a lineup?

    <p>A person who can identify another person by sight as someone involved in a criminal proceeding</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a photo lineup?

    <p>To identify the perpetrator of a crime and eliminate any suspects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the minimum number of photographs required in a photo array?

    <p>Six</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a photo lineup?

    <p>To identify a suspect and eliminate other suspects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be the characteristics of the photographs in a photo array?

    <p>With physical characteristics similar to those of the suspect, and formatted alike</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of filler photographs in a photo array?

    <p>To complete the array and make it more reliable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is a photo array an efficient tool to identify a suspect?

    <p>Because it is easier to assemble than a live lineup</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the advantage of using a photo array over a live lineup?

    <p>It is easier to compile and more efficient</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary advantage of having an independent administrator conduct the lineup?

    <p>To prevent the lineup administrator from influencing the witness's decision</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using an automated computer program to administer the photo lineup?

    <p>To prevent the lineup administrator from seeing the lineup until after the procedure is complete</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why should the lineup administrator not see or track which photograph the victim or witness is viewing until after the procedure is complete?

    <p>To prevent the lineup administrator from influencing the witness's decision</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using randomly numbered, shuffled folders containing photographs in the lineup?

    <p>To prevent the lineup administrator from seeing the lineup until after the procedure is complete</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of the lineup administrator's role in conducting the lineup?

    <p>To prevent the lineup administrator from influencing the witness's decision</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of the structure of the lineup?

    <p>To achieve neutral administration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of numbering photographs and filler photographs in a photo array?

    <p>To maintain a record of the photographs used in the array</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a sequential presentation of a photo array, what is the role of the independent administrator?

    <p>To present individual photographs to the victim or eyewitness one at a time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between simultaneous and sequential presentations of a photo array?

    <p>The number of photographs presented at once</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of having the victim or eyewitness sign and date the array after simultaneous presentation?

    <p>To document the presentation of the array</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the advantage of using an independent administrator to present a photo array?

    <p>To reduce the risk of bias in the identification process</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary definition of a roadway?

    <p>A portion of highway used for vehicular travel that does not include the berm, shoulder, or sidewalk</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of a limited access facility?

    <p>A road with signage prohibiting or limiting access for certain vehicles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of an intersection?

    <p>The area within the connection of the lateral curbs or boundary lines of two or more roadways of two highways joined at approximately right angles or any other angle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a state road?

    <p>A highway that is designated as a state-maintained road</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a private road or driveway?

    <p>A privately owned space that owners and people who have permission from the owners use for vehicular traffic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a laned highway?

    <p>A road that is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of a limited access road?

    <p>The property owners have no right or easement to the road</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a road that is not open to public vehicular traffic?

    <p>A runway</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the color header for a Commercial Driver License (CDL) in Florida?

    <p>Blue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the designation for a person with a developmental disability on their driver's license or ID card?

    <p>D</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which class of license is required for drivers of vehicles transporting hazardous materials?

    <p>Class C</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the minimum age requirement for a person accompanying a learner's license holder?

    <p>21</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the weight limit for a Class E license?

    <p>Less than 26,001 pounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where is the license class type located on a Florida driver's license issued in 2017 or later?

    <p>Top right</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the designation for a motorcycle endorsement on a Florida driver's license?

    <p>A or O</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a type of license class in Florida?

    <p>Class F</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID)?

    <p>To provide information on deaf or hard of hearing drivers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the designation for a sexual predator on a Florida driver's license?

    <p>Sexual Predator</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the color header on a Florida driver's license?

    <p>To identify the license type and class</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) used to determine on a Florida driver's license?

    <p>The type of vehicle the driver can operate legally</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the distinguishing feature of a Florida driver's license issued to drivers younger than 21?

    <p>A vertical format</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the security features on a Florida driver's license that can only be seen under a black light?

    <p>To prevent counterfeiting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the distinctive feature of the post-2017 Florida driver's license?

    <p>Three headshots on the front, one of which is transparent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the tactile feature on the front of a Florida learner's license?

    <p>To aid visually impaired individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between a commercial driver's license and a noncommercial driver's license in Florida?

    <p>The type of vehicle that can be operated</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the light blue Florida seal on the post-2017 Florida driver's license?

    <p>To authenticate the license</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which drivers are exempt from holding a commercial driver's license?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following vehicles is required to be registered within 10 days of the owner establishing residency in Florida?

    <p>A vehicle with an out-of-state registration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the penalty for failure to display a registration in Florida?

    <p>Fine and imprisonment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of operating a vehicle with an expired registration in Florida?

    <p>Fine and imprisonment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the requirement for drivers in Florida?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the penalty for driving while license is suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified in Florida?

    <p>Fine and imprisonment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the exemption for people who live in another state and commute to work in Florida?

    <p>They are exempt from vehicle registration and driver's license requirements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the renewal period for vehicle registrations in Florida?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When do vehicle registrations expire in Florida?

    <p>At midnight on the registered owner's birthday</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the requirement for drivers of motorcycles with a learner's license in Florida?

    <p>They must have a motorcycle endorsement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of documenting the circumstances of a lost or destroyed UTC?

    <p>To maintain accountability and a record of court's action</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of Part One (white) of a UTC?

    <p>To serve as a complaint for both civil and criminal cases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who receives Part Two (yellow) of a UTC?

    <p>The driver</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of Part Three (pink) of a UTC?

    <p>To maintain accountability and a record of court's action</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of inspecting the UTC book when receiving it?

    <p>To ensure the book contains 25 three-part citations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of submitting a citation to the clerk of the court?

    <p>To initiate court proceedings within five days of issuing the citation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of keeping a copy of the UTC for field notes?

    <p>To testify in court</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the receipt on the front of the UTC book?

    <p>To acknowledge receipt of the UTC book</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When explaining options to respond to a citation, what should a driver be told about moving violations?

    <p>They can choose to pay a fine or attend a hearing in traffic court</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What option is available to drivers charged with operating a motor vehicle that is in an unsafe condition?

    <p>Providing certified proof of correction of the condition or equipment problem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is required of drivers charged with failure to display a valid driver's license, registration, or proof of insurance?

    <p>Providing proof of compliance to the clerk of court within 30 days</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of violation requires a court appearance on a scheduled date?

    <p>Criminal violation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should a driver sign if they have committed a violation that requires a hearing?

    <p>The Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of infraction results in a crash that causes the death of another person?

    <p>Felony</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following requires a court appearance?

    <p>Violation of exceeding the speed limit by 30 mph or more</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of explaining options to respond to a citation to the driver?

    <p>To educate the driver on their options</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Evidence in Court

    • Evidence is anything that tends to prove or disprove the existence of a fact.
    • There is a legal distinction between evidence and proof: evidence is information allowed in court, while proof is the effect produced by that information.
    • Evidence has three basic functions when offered in court:
      • To prove or disprove a crime
      • To support or undermine other evidence
      • To help determine an appropriate sentence

    Types of Evidence

    • Direct evidence proves a fact without inference or presumption and conclusively establishes the fact.
    • Examples of direct evidence:
      • Admission by the driver that they were speeding
      • Speed measurement device results
      • Testimony from eyewitnesses who saw the driver speeding

    Indirect or Circumstantial Evidence

    • Requires an inference or presumption to establish a fact rather than personal knowledge or observation.
    • Example of indirect or circumstantial evidence:
      • Eyewitness testimony that the defendant entered the victim's home around the time of the crime.
    • Requires the judge or jury to infer or assume from the evidence that the defendant committed the crime.

    Types of Evidence

    • Evidence presented in court can be categorized into three types: testimonial, physical, and documentary.

    Testimonial Evidence

    • Refers to witness statements that tend to prove or disprove facts about the case.
    • Includes testimonies of law enforcement officers, experts, and other witnesses.
    • Generally considered less reliable than physical evidence due to differences in perception, inaccurate memories, and potential lies.

    Physical Evidence

    • Refers to actual objects that prove or disprove facts about a case.
    • Plays a direct part in the crime in question.
    • Examples include:
      • Trace evidence
      • Biological and touch DNA evidence
      • Impression evidence
      • Firearms evidence
      • Electronic evidence
      • Chemical or toxicological evidence
      • Questioned documents evidence
    • Correct identification, protection, collection, preservation, transportation, and analysis of physical evidence reduces the likelihood of false results.

    Documentary Evidence

    • Refers to written or printed materials that prove or disprove facts about a case.
    • Examples include:
      • Bank records
      • Medical records
      • Certified copies of driving histories

    Photographing the Crime Scene

    • Photographing the crime scene is the first step in documenting the scene and allows others to visualize the scene.
    • Photos or sketches help victims and witnesses refresh their memory as time goes by.

    Crime Scene Photography Process

    • The photography process moves from general to specific, taking overall, midrange, and then close-up photographs.
    • Start at the perimeter of the crime scene and take a series of shots, framing an all-inclusive or four-corner view of the scene.
    • Midrange view shots show the relationship between evidence items within the scene.
    • Close-up shots show the details of a specific item of evidence and must include a scale or identifier.

    Best Practices for Crime Scene Photography

    • Use a scale or identifier, such as a ruler or yardstick, to provide a form of measurement in close-up shots.
    • Review photographs after taking them to ensure they are in focus.
    • Use proper lighting to avoid glare, flashback, and ensure the photographs are neither too dark nor too light to see detail.
    • Standard camera flashes project only 9-12 feet, so consider flood lighting with a flashlight or using a vehicle spotlight or headlights for overall shots.
    • Overlap photos to show the relationships of items in the crime scene.
    • Only include objects that are important or relevant to the scene, avoiding bystanders, other officers, equipment, or pets.

    Trace Evidence

    • Trace evidence refers to small quantities of material transferred between a victim, suspect, or crime scene.
    • Examples of trace evidence include: • Human hair • Animal hair • Textile fibers and fabric • Rope • Feathers • Soil • Glass • Building materials

    Microanalysis

    • Microanalysis is the process of examining trace evidence using a microscope.
    • The goal of microanalysis is to determine the possible source or origin of the trace evidence.

    Biological Evidence

    • Biological evidence at crime scenes can contain DNA and may include blood, semen, or saliva.
    • Crime laboratory experts can identify body fluids and conduct DNA analysis if needed.
    • Semen evidence may be examined in sexual assault cases.

    Types of Biological Evidence

    • Saliva evidence may be found on cigarette butts, drinking straws, soda and beer cans, masks, bottles, and bite marks.
    • Blood evidence may include pooled blood, wet or dried stains on upholstery or carpet, or samples from victims or suspects.
    • Blood type and DNA identification can be determined from a blood sample.

    Blood Analysis

    • Experts can analyze blood spatter direction to determine the type of weapon, attack direction, and attacker size.
    • Advancements in DNA analysis can detect evidence from brief contact between objects and victims/suspects.

    Specialized Biological Evidence

    • Teeth can serve as identification and evidence.
    • Human skeletal remains require special handling: contact a supervisor, and a medical examiner or forensic specialist should examine the bones at the site.

    Collecting Biological Evidence

    • Certain biological evidence requires specialized techniques and expertise for collection.
    • Follow agency policies and procedures when handling these types of evidence.

    Impression Evidence

    • Working edges of tools leave distinct marks on surfaces, which can be used as evidence.
    • When collecting evidence, do not try to fit a suspect's tool into a mark; instead, collect the entire damaged surface and submit it to the lab for comparison.

    Comparing Fracture Sites

    • Comparing fracture sites of broken, torn, or cut objects can provide strong evidence in court.
    • Do not attempt to reconstruct the items or process fingerprints before submitting them to the lab.

    Shoe and Tire Impressions

    • Shoe and tire impressions at the crime scene can link a suspect to a crime when they match an object in the suspect's possession.
    • Impressions can be found in mud, soil, or other pliable materials, as well as on wood, tile, paper, or paint, or in dust, blood, or grease.

    Casting Impressions

    • Crime scene technicians can cast certain impressions, such as shoe or tire impressions.
    • Photograph impressions to preserve them as evidence.

    Dental Evidence

    • Teeth can provide dental evidence in the form of bite mark impressions, which can lead to the identity of the suspect.
    • Photograph bite marks as soon as possible with a scale or identifier, as there is a high likelihood of saliva being present.

    Fingerprint Types

    • Patent prints are formed by transferring foreign substances like wet paint, blood, grease, ink, or dirt, making them readily visible.
    • Plastic prints are molded or embedded fingerprints created by touching impressionable surfaces like fresh paint, wax, bars of soap, or mud, making them easily visible.

    Collecting and Preserving Fingerprints

    • Follow agency policies and procedures for photographing visible prints and determining the best method for collecting and preserving fingerprint evidence.

    Latent Prints

    • Latent prints are a common and valuable type of physical evidence at a crime scene, but they are generally invisible to the naked eye.
    • Latent prints result from body residues left behind when friction ridges of the hands or feet come into contact with a surface.
    • The crime lab can examine submitted evidence to determine the presence of latent prints and identify them if possible.

    Locating Latent Fingerprints

    • Consider how the suspect approached the scene, what they may have touched, how they moved about, and how they left the scene to locate potential areas for latent fingerprints.
    • The surface type is crucial for latent prints; rough surfaces like concrete are more likely to have latent prints than smooth surfaces like glass.

    Chemical or Toxicological Evidence

    • Crime laboratories have a chemistry section that analyzes substances to determine the presence or absence of controlled substances listed under chapter 893, F.S.
    • Analysts prepare reports and often testify in court about their findings.
    • In certain investigations, you can submit an FDLE public records request to obtain an analysis from the toxicology section of a crime laboratory.
    • These cases typically involve DUI, sexual assault, and death investigations.

    Identifying Controlled Substances and Drug Paraphernalia

    • You should be able to identify various controlled substances and drug paraphernalia by sight or odor.
    • Field test kits can be used to test substances before collecting and packaging as evidence.

    Collecting and Packaging Drug Paraphernalia

    • Package sharp objects (e.g. needles or syringes) in puncture-proof packages with a "WARNING: SHARPS" label.
    • Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling chemical or biological substances.

    Questioned Document Evidence

    • A document is any medium containing a mark to convey a message.
    • Questioned documents require examination to verify their authenticity as evidence.

    Document Handling and Preservation

    • Handle documents found at a crime scene with care to preserve their original condition.
    • Documents may contain latent fingerprints and DNA, which can be used as evidence.

    Document Analysis

    • Document analysts use various scientific methods to examine documents.
    • Methods include:
      • Alterations analysis
      • Erasures analysis
      • Handwriting analysis
      • Indentations analysis
      • Ink comparisons
      • Machine impressions analysis
    • Analysis aims to answer questions about a document's:
      • Authorship
      • Authenticity

    Conducting a Showup

    • A showup is the presentation of a possible suspect to a witness for identification, typically conducted during or soon after the incident, near the crime scene.

    Pre-Showup Procedures

    • Interview victims or witnesses separately to obtain a description of the suspect.
    • Determine if the victim or witness has personal knowledge of the crime and can identify the suspect's features.
    • Ensure the victim or witness can accurately discuss the matter, understands their duty to tell the truth, and demonstrates competence, attentiveness, and a sound state of mind.
    • Determine if a suspect matching the description has been located near the incident.
    • Consider if circumstances allow for the prompt display of a single suspect to each victim or witness if there are multiple victims or witnesses.

    Conducting the Showup

    • Coordinate the showup quickly, without compromising the investigation, to limit the legal impact of the suspect's detention.
    • Caution the victim or witness that the person they will see may or may not be the suspect.
    • Avoid providing verbal or non-verbal feedback during the identification process.
    • Take the victim or witness to the location of the suspect, not the suspect to the victim or witness.
    • Ask the victim or witness if they recognize the suspect, avoiding influencing the identification.
    • Ensure adequate lighting for the victim or witness to have a clear view of the potential suspect.
    • Visually conceal the victim or witness from the suspect.
    • Consider recording the showup with a body camera or other recording device.

    Documentation

    • Document all statements of identification and non-identification.
    • Record any comments made by the victim or witness during the entire process, word for word.
    • Document any non-verbal communication or action made by the victim or witness.
    • If a victim or witness cannot identify the suspect, document why.

    Lineups in Investigations

    • A lineup is used when a showup is not a consideration or successful in identifying a suspect.
    • There are two types of lineups: live lineup and photo lineup.

    Live Lineup

    • A live lineup is a procedure where a group of people, including the suspect, is displayed to a victim or eyewitness to identify the perpetrator and eliminate other suspects.
    • An eyewitness is a person who can identify another person by sight as someone involved in a criminal proceeding.
    • Live lineups require additional people who resemble the suspect to appear with the suspect in the lineup, making them resource-intensive.
    • Florida law provides specific requirements for law enforcement officers conducting live lineups.

    Photo Lineup

    • A photo lineup is an alternative to a live lineup, used to identify the perpetrator of a crime and eliminate suspects.
    • It involves displaying a photo array to a victim or eyewitness.

    Photo Array

    • A photo array is a selection of photographs used to identify a suspect in a non-suggestive manner.
    • A photo array is an efficient tool for identifying a suspect and is often easier to compile than assembling a group of people who resemble the suspect.
    • A photo array should have a minimum of six photographs: one of the suspect and five filler photographs.
    • Filler photographs are of people other than the suspect, used to complete the array.
    • Each photograph in the array should be of a different person with physical characteristics similar to the suspect, and formatted alike.

    Lineup Administrator

    • A lineup administrator is responsible for conducting the lineup.
    • Ideally, the administrator should be independent of the investigation.
    • An independent administrator is someone who is not involved in the investigation and does not know which person in the lineup is the suspect.

    Conducting a Photo Lineup

    • If an independent administrator is not available, the investigator must conduct the lineup using one of the accepted procedures.
    • Two accepted procedures for conducting a photo lineup:
      • Using an automated computer program that prevents the administrator from seeing the lineup until the procedure is complete.
      • Using randomly numbered, shuffled folders containing photographs, presented in a way that prevents the administrator from seeing which photos correspond to specific folders until after the procedure.

    Importance of Neutral Administration

    • The goal of the lineup is to achieve neutral administration, preventing the administrator from knowing which photograph is being presented to the victim or witness.
    • The lineup administrator should not be allowed to see or track which photograph the victim or eyewitness is viewing until after the procedure is complete.

    Photo Array Presentations

    • Number all photographs and filler photographs used in the array before presenting the array to the victim or eyewitness.

    Presentation Methods

    • There are two methods of presenting the photo array: simultaneous and sequential.

    Simultaneous Presentation

    • The independent administrator presents a group of photographs to the victim or eyewitness all at once, at the same time.
    • The victim or eyewitness is instructed to mark which photograph is the suspect, and then signs and dates the array.

    Sequential Presentation

    • The independent administrator presents individual photographs to the victim or eyewitness one at a time.

    Roadway Definitions

    • A roadway refers to a portion of highway used for vehicular travel, excluding the berm, shoulder, or sidewalk.
    • A street or highway can be defined as:
    • The entire width between the boundary lines of a public space for vehicular traffic
    • The entire width between the boundary lines of privately owned space for vehicular traffic by the owner or those given permission
    • A limited access road owned or controlled by a special district when a county or municipality exercises traffic control jurisdiction
    • An area not open to public vehicular traffic, such as a runway, taxiway, ramp, clear zone, or parking lot within an airport
    • A space used for vehicular traffic on a controlled access basis in a mobile home park recreation district and open to the public

    Types of Highways

    • A laned highway is a road divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
    • A limited access facility is a road adjacent to private property to which the property owners have no right or easement to.
    • A private road or driveway is a privately owned space that owners and people who have permission from the owners use for vehicular traffic.
    • A state road is a highway the Department of Transportation designates as a state-maintained road.

    Intersection and Crosswalk

    • An intersection has two definitions:
    • The area within the connection of the lateral curbs or boundary lines of two or more roadways of two highways joined at approximately right angles or any other angle
    • Where a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, every crossing of each roadway of the divided highway by an intersecting highway is a separate intersection
    • A crosswalk is an area of a road within an intersection, distinctly marked on the surface to indicate a pedestrian crossing.

    Other Road Features

    • A sidewalk is the area that pedestrians use between the curb, or lateral line, of a roadway and the adjacent property lines.
    • A bicycle path is any road or path open to bicycle travel, often separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or a barrier.

    Florida Driver's License Formats

    • Florida has three types of driver's licenses: commercial, noncommercial, and learner's
    • Licenses issued to drivers 21 and older have a horizontal format, while those issued to drivers younger than 21 have a vertical format
    • The color header of a license identifies the license type and class: blue for commercial driver's licenses (CDL), green for noncommercial driver's license (Class E), and orange for learner's license (Class E)

    Security Features

    • Florida driver's licenses have several security features that can only be seen under a black light
    • The currently issued Florida driver's license (post-2017) has three headshots on the front, one of which is transparent
    • The license also has a light blue Florida seal, and a tactile feature on the bottom right side of the card
    • The reverse side displays 1D and 2D barcodes

    Endorsements, Restrictions, and Designations

    • Beginning in 2017, motorcycle-also and motorcycle-only endorsements are designated by an "A" or "O" in the endorsement field on the front of the card
    • Designations for individuals registered in the Florida Sexual Offender and Predator System appear on the front of the license
    • Two designations can appear on the bottom right of a Florida driver's license or ID card: "D" for developmental disability and "V" for honorably discharged U.S. military veterans

    Classes of Florida Driver's Licenses

    • Class A: required for drivers of trucks or truck combinations with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more
    • Class B: required for drivers of straight trucks with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more
    • Class C: required for drivers of vehicles transporting placardable amounts of hazardous materials, or for drivers of vehicles designed to transport more than 15 people
    • Class E: required for drivers of noncommercial motor vehicles with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds
    • Class E Learner: required for drivers with a learner's license and limited to driving motor vehicles weighing less than 8,000 pounds

    Commercial Driver License (CDL) Exemptions

    • Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles
    • Military personnel driving military vehicles
    • Farmers transporting farm supplies or farm machinery
    • Drivers of recreational vehicles used for recreational purposes
    • Drivers who operate straight trucks that are exclusively transporting their own tangible personal property
    • An employee of a publicly owned transit system who is limited to moving vehicles for maintenance or parking purposes

    Vehicle Registration

    • Any vehicle in the state of Florida must have a valid registration to operate on Florida roads
    • Vehicles with out-of-state registrations are required by law to be registered within 10 days of the owner establishing residency
    • Registrations expire at midnight on the registered owner's birthday, with the exception of vehicles weighing more than 5,000 pounds GVW, which expire on Dec. 31

    Paper UTC

    • Agencies assign UTC books with preprinted numbers, and officers are responsible for accounting for each UTC in the book.
    • If a UTC is lost or destroyed, document the circumstances in the UTC book.

    UTC Book and Citation

    • Each UTC book contains 25 three-part citations, with sequential numbers assigned to the book.
    • The receipt on the front of the UTC book must be signed to acknowledge receipt.
    • Inspect the book to ensure citations are in correct numeric sequence and contain 25 three-part citations.

    Citation Parts

    • Part One (white): serves as a complaint for civil and criminal cases, and is retained by the court.
    • Part Two (yellow): is the driver's copy, and the reverse side notifies drivers of their options for responding to the citation.
    • Part Three (pink): is the officer's copy, and is used to maintain accountability and record court action.

    Citation Process

    • State the specifics of the violation clearly and slowly, making sure the driver understands the warning or citation.
    • Point to the section on the citation where the violation was checked and specific information was written.
    • Explain the driver's options for responding to the citation, including paying a civil penalty or requesting a hearing.

    Options for Responding to Citations

    • Moving violations: may include paying a civil penalty, requesting a hearing, or completing a Driver Improvement Course (if eligible).
    • Non-moving violations: may include paying a civil penalty or choosing a hearing in traffic court.
    • Criminal violations: require a court appearance on a scheduled date.

    Additional Options for Drivers

    • If charged with operating a vehicle in an unsafe condition or without proper equipment, drivers may choose to provide certified proof of correction.
    • If charged with failure to display a valid driver's license, registration, or proof of insurance, drivers may choose to enter a plea of nolo contendere (no contest) and provide proof of compliance within 30 days.

    Signing the UTC

    • Most citations do not require the driver's signature, but if a violation requires a hearing, the driver must sign the UTC.
    • Signing is not an admission of guilt, and is required for serious violations such as those resulting in death or serious bodily injury.

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    Understand the concept of evidence and its distinction from proof in a legal context, including its functions in court proceedings.

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