Police Discretion and Forensic Science
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Questions and Answers

What is one of the primary purposes of police patrol?

  • To perform administrative tasks
  • To establish community relations (correct)
  • To enforce environmental regulations
  • To gather intelligence on organized crime

    • What is a key reason police officers have discretionary powers?

  • To enhance personal decision-making on the street (correct)
  • To minimize legal liability
  • To increase reporting requirements
  • To standardize responses in all situations

    • How do forensic experts utilize DNA fingerprints in crime-solving?

  • By matching DNA samples to potential victims
  • By comparing DNA samples to databases for identification (correct)
  • By analyzing public surveillance footage
  • By creating false identities for suspects

    • What is a benefit of differential response strategies in policing?

    <p>They enable prioritized responses based on urgency.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of force is characterized as necessary to effectively manage a threat?

    <p>Reasonable force</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does community policing primarily focus on?

    <p>Building partnerships and addressing community issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines a police stressor?

    <p>A challenge or demand faced by law enforcement agents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following categories best describes a common ethical dilemma for police officers?

    <p>Choosing between loyalty to a colleague and justice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main legal question addressed in Maryland v. King (2013)?

    <p>If DNA samples can be collected from individuals arrested for serious crimes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the policies mentioned, who is required by law to provide a DNA sample?

    <p>Convicted felony offenders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'cyber forensics' refer to?

    <p>Investigation of digital evidence stored or transmitted electronically</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the FBI's CODIS database?

    <p>To maintain DNA profiles of arrestees</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Justice Scalia perceive the implications of the Court's decision in Maryland v. King?

    <p>As a potential risk to personal freedom</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of identification technology is referred to as biometrics?

    <p>Identification by unique physical characteristics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Alonzo King's challenge largely focused on?

    <p>The fairness of Maryland's DNA collection law</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated number of DNA profiles held in the FBI CODIS database?

    <p>4 million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes proactive arrests from reactive arrests?

    <p>Proactive arrests are made from police activity targeting a particular crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What theory suggests that addressing quality-of-life crimes can improve neighborhood safety?

    <p>Broken windows theory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a criticism associated with 'zero tolerance' policies?

    <p>They may lead to over-policing in certain communities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which approach involves police developing personal relationships with residents to deter crime?

    <p>Community policing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main goal of problem-oriented policing?

    <p>To identify the causes of criminal behavior and address them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In collaborative reform, what do police work on with local leaders?

    <p>Addressing complex issues such as use of force and arrest policies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does reactive policing primarily operate?

    <p>In response to emergencies or visible criminal behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best defines the 'broken windows theory' in policing?

    <p>A philosophy suggesting that minor offenses lead to an increase in serious crimes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does DNA fingerprinting primarily rely on to identify individuals?

    <p>Samples of DNA markers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many points of DNA are typically compared in a DNA fingerprinting analysis?

    <p>Thirteen points</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term is used to describe a match found between crime scene DNA and a DNA database?

    <p>Cold hit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor contributes to the reliability of fingerprint analysis?

    <p>Points of similarity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the probability limit for a positive DNA fingerprint match?

    <p>1 in 30 billion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advancement in DNA processing technology has allowed for faster results?

    <p>Rapid DNA technology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'touch DNA'?

    <p>DNA left from contact with objects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can DNA analysis provide about an offender or victim?

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

    Which of the following best defines noble cause corruption?

    <p>Officers doing bad things for perceived good outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the critical attributes of an ethical police officer?

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

    What does the doctrine of qualified immunity protect police officers from?

    <p>Civil liability unless constitutional rights are violated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which element of ethics refers to an officer's obligation to act in a certain manner?

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

    What is a potential argument against qualified immunity?

    <p>It can prevent unjust actions by police from being challenged.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does an officer's discretion rely on their character?

    <p>Character influences the officer's decision-making ability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best reflects the views of proponents of qualified immunity?

    <p>It is vital for protecting officers during split-second decisions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of police ethics, what does loyalty signify?

    <p>Commitment to the department and colleagues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Police Discretion

    • Police officers possess discretionary powers due to the complexities of their work and the need for on-the-spot decisions.

    Purposes of Police Patrol

    • Maintaining order
    • Investigating crimes
    • Providing services to the community

    Forensic Science: DNA Fingerprinting

    • DNA fingerprinting identifies individuals based on unique DNA sequences.
    • Comparing 13 DNA markers can yield a match probability as high as 30 billion to one.
    • Databases like CODIS (FBI's Combined DNA Index System) enable "cold hits," connecting crime scene DNA to offenders.
    • Developments include touch DNA analysis, rapid DNA processing, and DNA phenotyping to predict physical characteristics.
    • Collection policies frequently mandate DNA samples from convicted felons. Biometrics and cyber forensics also aid investigations.

    Differential Response Strategies

    • Improve efficiency in handling 911 calls by prioritizing responses based on urgency.

    Community Policing and Problem-Oriented Policing

    • Community policing fosters collaboration between police and the community to prevent and reduce crime.
    • Problem-oriented policing focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of criminal behavior rather than simply reacting to individual incidents.

    Police Subculture Socialization

    • The process through which new recruits assimilate into the values, norms, and behaviors of experienced officers.

    Police Stressors and Mental Health

    • Police work exposes officers to various stressors that negatively impact their mental well-being.

    Police Use of Force

    • Differentiates between non-deadly, deadly, and reasonable force; use of force policies aims to ensure appropriate application of force.

    Police Accountability

    • Mechanisms in place to ensure that police officers are held responsible for their actions, including internal reviews, civilian oversight boards, and legal processes.

    Ethical Dilemmas in Policing

    • Four categories of ethical dilemmas:
      • Discretion
      • Duty
      • Honesty
      • Loyalty
    • Noble cause corruption: officers justifying unethical acts for a perceived greater good.

    Maryland v. King (2013)

    • Supreme Court ruling that allows DNA collection from arrestees for serious crimes.

    Police Arrest Strategies

    • Reactive arrests: responding to calls or witnessing a crime
    • Proactive arrests: targeting specific criminal activities
    • Broken windows theory: addressing minor offenses to prevent escalation of crime in a neighborhood. This theory has mixed support and is subject to criticism regarding discriminatory practices.

    Qualified Immunity for Police Officers

    • A legal doctrine protecting officers from civil liability unless constitutional rights were violated.
    • Proponents argue it’s necessary for quick decision-making in stressful situations. Opponents suggest it shields officers from accountability for rights violations.

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    Related Documents

    Gaines_Criminal Justice in Action_11e_PPT_ch06 LM REV FA 21 PDF

    Description

    Explore the key aspects of police discretion, the purposes of police patrol, and the advancements in forensic science such as DNA fingerprinting. This quiz also covers community policing strategies and the efficacy of differential response to emergencies.

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