Physical Evidence

Physical Evidence Quiz Crafted by -

Dr. Richa Rohatgi

Assistant Professor

Dept. of Forensic Science

Amity Institute of Forensic Science,

Amity Haryana


Let’s have a look on answers of the quiz questions.


Que 1. Physical evidences are also known as-

a) Real evidences

b) Prima facie evidence

c) Testimonial evidences

d) Corroborative evidences

Answer - a) Real evidences


Que 2. Physical evidence may be used as corroborative evidences to establish and support-

a) Investigative lead

b) Definite identity

c) Other investigative findings

d) Presence of a particular person at crime scene

Answer -  c) Other investigative findings


Que 3. Physical evidence can be used to exonerate a suspect if-

a) The specimen sample obtained from the suspect does not match Questioned sample.

b) The standard sample does not follow proper chain of custody.

c) The suspect had given samples non-voluntarily.

d)  The samples collected were not in accordance to Law of Comparison.

Answer -  a) The specimen sample obtained from the suspect does not match Questioned sample.


Que 4. With reference to the investigation of crime scene, what should be the correct chronological order of events?

a) Providing first aid, barricading, searching of evidences, documentation. 

b) Barricading, first aid, collection of evidences, searching, documentation.

c) Barricading, collection of evidences, searching, documentation.

d) Providing first aid, barricading, documentation, searching of evidences, collection of evidences.

Answer -  d) Providing first aid, barricading, documentation, searching of evidences, collection of evidences.


Que 5. You are processing a crime scene and have decided to seize a powered-off laptop and power cable. Read the following statements.

(i) You must actively search for and seize other digital devices, e.g. mobile telephones, USB drives, memory cards.

(ii) The laptop seizure is sufficient.

(iii) You must seek information from the owner about usernames and passwords for the laptop and its applications.

(iv) You must actively search for and seize any notebooks, diaries, Post-ItTM notes and other handwritten notes from the vicinity of the laptop.

a) Statement (ii) is correct and statements (i), (iii) and (iv) are incorrect.

b) Statements (i), (iii) and (iv) are correct but statement (ii) is incorrect.

c) Statements (ii) and (iii) are correct but statements (i) and (iv) are incorrect.

d) Statements (i) and (iii) are correct but statements (ii) and (iv) are incorrect.

Answer - b) Statements (i), (iii) and (iv) are correct but statement (ii) is incorrect.


Que 6. Forensic databases are not maintained for which one of the following?

a) DNA

b) Fingerprints

c) Dentition

d) Automotive paint

Answer -  c) Dentition


Que 7. When did fingerprints become admissible in the court of law?

a) 1900

b) 1911

c) 1985

d) 1990

Answer -  b) 1911


Que 8. The examination of physical evidence by a forensic scientist is usually undertaken for-

a) Proving a suspect’s innocence in a courtroom.

b) Identification and comparison purposes.

c) Proving a suspect’s guilt in a courtroom.

d) Assisting law enforcement in the apprehension of an offender.

Answer -  b) Identification and comparison purposes.


Que 9. When evidence can be associated only with a group and never with a single source, that evidence is said to possess-

a) Group categories

b) Group characteristics

c) Individual characteristics

d) Class characteristics

Answer -  d) Class characteristics


Que 10. Properties of evidence that can be attributed to a common source with an extremely high degree of certainty is-

a) Individual characteristics

b) Class characteristics

c) Referent characteristics

d) Comparison characteristics

 Answer - a) Individual characteristics


Que 11.  A computerised database that allows an analyst to obtain information relevant to an individual’s DNA profile-

a) PCR

b) CODIS

c) AFIS

d) PDQ

Answer -  b) CODIS


Que 12. The weight or significance accorded physical evidence in a courtroom is left to-

a) The trier of facts, usually a jury of laypersons.

b) The prosecutor who instructs the jury as to how much weight to assign to an article.

c)  The laboratory analysts who are interpreting the results of their tests.

d)  The expert witnesses or criminalistics who are testifying.

Answer -  a) The trier of facts, usually a jury of laypersons.


Que 13.  As the collection of physical evidences begins-

a) The medical examiner should oversee the collection of the evidence at the crime scene.

b) The district attorney should be consulted for admissibility of the physical evidence in court.

c) The police chief has primary responsibility of maintaining the chain of custody.

d) All observations should be recorded through photographs, sketches, and notes.

Answer -  d) All observations should be recorded through photographs, sketches, and notes.


Que 14.  Do physical evidences such as; hair and nails continue to grow even after death of a person?

a) Yes

b) No

c) Maybe

d) For 2-3 days after death

Answer- b) No


Que 15. The tyre impressions in snow maybe categorised as-

a) Transfer prints

b) Latent prints

c) Plastic prints

d) Visible prints

Answer -  c) Plastic prints

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