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Criminal Investigation Third Edition Test Bank

Criminal Investigation Third Edition Test Bank is your go-to study guide, providing essential notes and practice exercises for exam success.

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    Brandl, Criminal Investigations 3rd Edition Instructor Resource 1. In the Unabomber investigation, which of the following proved to be valuable in identifying Ted Kaczynski as the perpetrator? a. The reference to wood b. The initials FC c. The "call Nathan R" note d. The social security number *e. none of the above 2. The most common activities performed in investigations are: a. Searching for witnesses and victims b. Interviewing witnesses and victims c. Reading and writing reports *d. All of the above 3. Stings, decoys, undercover fencing operations, and stakeouts are types of: *a. Undercover investigations b. Reactive investigations c. Initial investigations d. Follow - up investigations 4. According to the information theory as it applies to the criminal investigation process: a. Computer technology must be incorporated into criminal investigations *b. The criminal investigation process resembles a battle between the police and the perpetrator over crime - related information c. All statements made to the media concerning ongoing investigations should come from one designated police official d. A case screening model should be used in the investigation process in order for the consideration of irrelevant case information 5. What factors help explain why the police solve so "few" crimes? a. The structure of most crimes b. The nature of the police response (reactive) c. Police powers limited by law

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    *d. All of the above e. None of the above 6. What is the process of collecting crime - related information in order to reach certain goals? a. Reactive process b. Proactive process *c. Criminal investigation d. Case screening 7. When investigating crimes like homicide, robbery, and rape, what type of investigation is typically being conducted? a. Sting b. Proactive *c. Reactive d. Forensic 8. Which of the following is NOT a stage to reactive criminal investigations? a. The discovery of the crime and the police response b. The preliminary or initial investigation c. The follow - up investigation d. Closure of the case *e. The adjudication of the defendant 9. Which of the following is NOT an undercover strategy? a. Sting b. Surveillance *c. Front operation d. Decoy 10. An example of a mental mistake made in an investigation is: a. Confirmation bias b. The existence of coincidences c. Investigators putting too much trust in unreliable evidence d. The difficulty of changing one's mind once it's been made *e. All of the above 11. What makes a good investigator? a. Common sense b. Integrity c. Good street knowledge

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    d. Good communication skills *e. All of the above 12. Why do cases drop out as they progress through the criminal justice system? a. Some crimes are not reported to the police b. Some crimes are not a police matter c. Some crimes are not solved by the police d. A and B *e. A and C 13. What are solvability factors? a. The requirements needed to solve a case *b. The particulars of a case that increase the likelihood of that case being solved c. The particulars of a case that need to be presented in court d. The requirements needed to initiate an investigation of a case 14. What is the ultimate goal of the criminal investigation process? *a. To reduce crime b. To solve a crime c. To convict a perpetrator d. To satisfy the victim 15. In what situation can a follow - up investigation be conducted? *a. A case not solved during the initial investigation that was screened for solvability factors b. A case where questionable police actions occurred during the initial investigation c. A case solved in the initial investigation but the victim was not satisfied with its results d. All of the above e. None of the above 16. What are the factors police supervisors consider when making the screening decision? a. The seriousness of the crime b. The evidence available c. The number of offenses committed by the perpetrator *d. A and B e. A and C 17. A decoy is:

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    a. The monitoring of a person and the activities in which they participate b. Compelling a person to commit a crime that he or she was not predisposed to committing *c. When an investigator presents an opportunity to attract an offender to commit a crime d. When an investigator poses as someone willing to participate in an illicit transaction 18. Which of the following is NOT true about confirmation bias? a. The tendency of people to pay the most attention to information that confirms what they already believe to be true b. A potential mental error or pitfall made by investigators *c. When all evidence confirms the guilt of a person d. The tendency of people to pay little attention to information that is contrary to what they already believe to be true 19. How can investigators avoid mental errors or pitfalls? a. Keep an open mind about the possibilities of the crime and who committed it b. Avoid getting personally invested in a theory about the crime c. Be receptive to competing ideas and evidence *d. All of the above e. None of the above 20. Which of the following was NOT a part of the Unabomber's modus operandi? a. The bombs were contained in a wooden box b. The targets were consistently university professors, airlines, and computer technology firms *c. The bombs were typically hand delivered by the bomber d. The use or reference to wood 21. A criminal investigation involves: a. Accidental discoveries b. The collection of evidence c. Decision making and judgments *d. All of the above e. None of the above 22. Previous law enforcement experience makes for a good investigator. Which of the following is NOT one of the traits mentioned in the book? a. Excellent communication skills

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    b. Excellent reading and writing skills *c. Excellent computer skills d. Excellent knowledge of the law 23. What is the specialized function of the police? a. To punish perpetrators b. To determine the guilt of a perpetrator *c. To identify and apprehend perpetrators d. None of the above 24. According to the text, why do people NOT report crimes? a. "Personal or private matter" b. "Not important enough" c. "Don't trust the police" *d. A and B e. A and C 25. What cases are commonly NOT solved by the police due to a lack of evidence available? *a. Burglaries b. Homicides c. Assaults d. All of the above 26. The fact that the police usually have to react to the report of a crime may help explain the inability of the police to solve more crimes. *a. True b. False 27. Identifying the perpetrator is basically the same thing as apprehending the perpetrator. a. True *b. False 28. Luck and good fortune are rarely present in successful criminal investigations. a. True *b. False

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    29. Criminal evidence can also be thought of as crime - related information. *a. True b. False 30. According to the entrapment theory, the criminal investigation process resembles a battle between the police and the perpetrator over crime - related information. a. True *b. False 31. All criminal evidence depends on scientific analysis in order to be meaningful and useful. a. True *b. False 32. Forensic science refers to the field of scientific study that addresses legal questions. *a. True b. False 33. The source of all evidence is the perpetrator, according to the information theory. *a. True b. False 34. It is uncommon for investigators of one crime to discover information leading to another case being solved. a. True *b. False 35. CSI accurately portrays the reality of criminal investigations. a. True *b. False Type E: 36. Explain how Ted Kaczynski was identified by authorities as the Unabomber. Correct Answer:

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    A lot of evidence was collected over the course of the investigation, such as the use and reference to wood , the engraved letters FC , eyewitness information leading to a composite sketch of the bomber, a social security number, and the “call Nathan R” note, but none of it led to the identity of the person responsible. The bomber’s own agenda and ego led him to persuade the New York Times to publish his manifesto. Ted’s brother recognized the ideas written in the manifesto and the language used as his brother’s and contacted authorities. 37. Identify and discuss the three potential problems with evidence in criminal investigations. Correct Answer: Investigators may not know the relevance of the information at the time of collection or if it is even related to the case at hand. Also, the police may be overwhelmed with too much information that they cannot adequately collect, manage, and follow - up on every tip. Lastly, the evidence obtained may not be accurate, like with eyewitness identifications that are persuasive yet problematic. 38. Identify and discuss the three goals associated with the criminal investigation process. Correct Answer: The three goals associated with the criminal investigation process are to solve the crime, to provide evidence in support of a conviction in court, and to provide a level of service to satisfy the victim(s). Students should explain what is needed to solve a crime (crime occurrence, identified perpetrator, and apprehended perpetrator). Students should also note the police’s responsibility to obtain evidence to present to the prosecutor. Lastly, students should explain the importance of public perceptions of the police in discussing the last goal of the criminal investigation process. 39. In order to solve a crime, what objectives need to be met? Correct Answer: In order to solve a crime, investigators must determine that a crime occurred, identify a perpetrator, and apprehend that perpetrator. 40. Explain why criminal investigation is so critical to the functioning of the entire criminal justice system. Correct Answer: All three parts of the criminal justice system (police, courts, and corrections) work to reduce crime through incapacitation or deterrence, but each also has its own specialized function. If one is not functioning properly, than the rest of the system cannot do its job. As criminal investigation is so early in the process, it is critical that the police identify and apprehend perpetrators, so the courts can adjudicate and corrections can punish. 41. Explain why law enforcement agencies do not solve more crimes than they do. What could be done to improve police success in this regard?

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    Correct Answer: Law enforcement solves so “few” crimes because of the nature and structure of the crimes, the reactive nature of the police, the police’s responsibility of following laws when collecting evidence, resource constraints under which the police must operate, and the mistakes made by investigators that can cause offenders to get away with their crimes. Students must provide some suggestions to improve police success such as increasing the use of proactive strategies to policing or allocating resources in such a way that they go to proven effective crime - solving tools.

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    Brandl, Criminal Investigations 3rd Edition Instructor Resource 1. Critical evidence in the Lindbergh baby kidnapping that led to the crime being solved was: a. The statement of Violet Sharpe, the Lindbergh's maid b. Evidence found on the baby's pajamas *c. The serial number on a $10 bill, identified as a ransom bill d. Fingerprints located on a windowsill of the Lindbergh's house 2. Parliamentary reward operated in the: a. 1200s *b. 1700s and early 1800s c. Early 1900s d. Present 3. One of the problems with the thieftaker system was that: a. Thieftakers were never used by victims b. Thieftakers tricked people into committing crimes c. Thieftakers relied on other members of the group to identify criminals *d. Thieftakers often worked in cooperation with thieves 4. The London Metropolitan Police Department was established in the: a. 1600s b. 1700s *c. 1800s d. 1900s 5. The necessity of detectives receiving salaries was highlighted because of problems associated with: a. Informers *b. The thieftaker system c. The thief - maker system 6. With regard to the thieftaker system, which of the following is true? *a. A thieftaker was a private system

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    b. A thieftaker was usually a thief c. Everyone benefited equally in this system, including the victim d. All crimes were investigated equally within the thieftaker system 7. The necessity of having detectives work cases was highlighted because of problems associated with: a. Informers and Parliamentary reward b. The thieftaker system *c. The thief - maker system 8. Making detectives reactive and assigning them to cases reduced the likelihood that: *a. Detectives could trick people into committing crimes b. Detectives could conduct illegal searches c. Detectives would solve too many crimes 9. The mid - 1800s to the early 1900s in American policing has been characterized as the: *a. Political era of policing b. Reform era of policing c. Community problem - solving era of policing d. The modern era of policing 10. Among the limitations of photography as a method of criminal identification was that: a. Criminals could easily alter their appearance b. In order to be useful, authorities needed to have a photograph of the wanted person *c. Both of the above d. None of the above 11. The premise of __________ was that the bone structures of an adult did not change over the course of a lifetime. a. Brundage b. Watchcomzule c. Windage *d. Bertillonage 12. Which of the following does not relate to the political era of policing?

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    a. The dragnet roundup of suspects b. The third degree c. Bertillonage *d. Fingerprinting 13. What era of policing used investigative tactics like the dragnet roundup of suspects and the third degree? *a. Political era of policing b. Reform era of policing c. Community problem - solving era of policing 14. Why is history important? a. Understanding history allows for an appreciation of how things have changed over time b. The present is the product of the past c. Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it d. It is possible to predict the future by knowing the past *e. All of the above 15. What kind of behaviors were associated with the third degree? a. Beating with a rubber house b. Placing a suspect in a sweatbox for hours and hours under constant questioning c. Drilling teeth d. Burning with lit cigars or cigarettes *e. All of the above 16. What led to the creation of state police agencies? a. Automobiles b. Ineffective local police departments c. The need for law enforcement in less populated, rural areas *d. All of the above e. None of the above 17. Which of the following is NOT true about the FBI? *a. The FBI was created by J. Edgar Hoover in 1908 b. The FBI was initially plagued with scandals but later grew to be a prominent law enforcement agency c. The FBI is responsible for counterintelligence and antiradical investigations d. The FBI is responsible for kidnappings

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    18. Which of the following is NOT true about the reform era of policing? a. This era took place from the early 1900s to the 1960s b. This era enforced police professionalism *c. The community was invaluable to the police's effectiveness d. Detectives were efficient crime solvers 19. What are the strategies mentioned in the textbook that provide opportunities for residents to share information with the police in solving crimes? a. Tip lines b. School liaison officers c. Police involvement in community watch groups *d. All of the above 20. What are the developments in criminal investigation that have occurred during the community problem - solving era of policing? a. DNA analysis as a method of identification b. Large computer networks and data banks c. COMPSTAT d. Empirical research on the criminal investigation process *e. All of the above 21. A _________ was a collection of photographs used for the purpose of criminal identification. *a. Rouges gallery b. Bertillonage c. Dragnet d. Third Degree 22. Rounding up the usual suspects often took the form of, or was also known as, a: a. Rogues gallery b. Bertillonage *c. Dragnet d. Third degree 23. To address the problems relating to Parliamentary reward, early detectives were linked to the crime of: a. Rape b. Kidnapping *c. Murder d. Public drunkenness

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    24. Which of the following is NOT a method of identification mentioned in this chapter? *a. Voice recognition b. Photography c. DNA d. Fingerprints e. Bertillonage Type F: 25. A(n) _________ was an individual who tricked another person into committing a crime and then would turn that person in for a Parliamentary reward. a. Informer b. Thieftaker *c. Thief maker 26. With the system of the Parliamentary reward, a reward was offered by the government to anyone who provided information that led to the apprehension of criminals. *a. True b. False 27. Thieftakers most often worked on behalf of the rich, not the poor. *a. True b. False 28. In England, the role and position of the plainclothes detective was immediately welcomed by the public. a. True *b. False 29. At the time of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the policing function was almost exclusively a responsibility of the federal government. a. True *b. False 30. In the political era of policing, detectives played a large and significant role in crime fighting.

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    a. True *b. False 31. The first identification system used in America for criminal investigation purposes was fingerprinting. a. True *b. False 32. One of the primary advantages of private detective firms of the mid to late 1800s (such as Pinkerton's) was that they operated without concern for political jurisdictional lines. *a. True b. False 33. The system of policing from the early 1900s to the 1960s was known as the reform era. *a. True b. False 34. A cornerstone of community policing is that the police are the experts and the most effective without involvement of citizens in criminal investigations or other matters. a. True *b. False 35. Because of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, kidnapping became a federal offense and under FBI jurisdiction. *a. True b. False 36. Define the systems of Parliamentary reward, thieftakers, and thief makers. What problems resulted from each of these systems? Correct Answer: Students should explain that a Parliamentary reward is a reward offered by the government to anyone who apprehends a criminal. They should also note that this system was problematic because people were unsupportive of both the legal system and the informers due to harsh sentencing at the time. Students should then describe a thieftaker as a citizen hired by a victim to apprehend a criminal or return stolen property. The inherent problem of thieftakers being corrupt and working only for the poor should be mentioned. Lastly, students should describe thief makers as individuals coercing or tricking another person into committing a crime as well as the obvious problems associated with that.

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    37. In constructing the position of detective, how were the problems of Parliamentary reward, thieftakers, and thief makers addressed? Correct Answer: In order for a detective to gain support from the public, the position of the detective had to be only for the most serious of crimes. The detective position was salaried, providing no incentive to work for one client over another. To overcome the problems inherent to the thief maker, detectives were made to be reactive to crime. 38. Describe the role and function of detectives during the political era of policing. Correct Answer: Students should first mention that detectives did not provide a large role during the political era of policing. They should then explain that detectives received most of their information through their familiarity with criminals because many detectives were reformed criminals themselves or prison guards. They often wore disguises, even in court, because of the sensitive nature of their work. 39. Describe the identification system known as Bertillonage, and identify its strengths and weaknesses. Correct Answer: Bertillonage was an identification system that identified a person by 11 measurements of the body. It is based on the premise that the bone structure of a person is unique to that person and remains constant, even as that person ages. It was initially successful as an improvement over the use of photographs; however, it was too impractical and error prone. 40. What circumstances led to the transition from the reform era of policing to the community problem - solving era of policing? Correct Answer: Students should describe the culture of the 1960s in relation to law enforcement, such as the growing riots and protests due to the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the lack of support of the police and police legitimacy. Assassinations and Supreme Court decisions that "handcuffed" the police were also making the police's job harder. During this time, crime rates were doubling, and the police needed a different strategy.

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