Ontario Private Investigator Practice Exam

What should be done with Trace Evidence?

1. Discarded if deemed irrelevant

2. Must be collected or photographed by experts

3. Immediately shown to the media

4. Analyzed by the first responder

The correct answer is: Must be collected or photographed by experts

Trace evidence refers to small pieces of physical evidence that can be useful in investigations, such as hair or fibers. These pieces of evidence may not be immediately obvious and could easily be overlooked or destroyed, which is why it is important to collect or photograph them as soon as possible. Discarding them if deemed irrelevant could potentially eliminate valuable evidence, and immediately showing them to the media could compromise the investigation. Analyzing by the first responder may not be accurate as they may not have the proper training or equipment. Therefore, it is vital to have experts collect or photograph trace evidence to ensure the preservation and accuracy of the evidence.