Exam Practice Test Questions And

Crime Laboratory Analyst Certification Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which type of evidence is most likely to establish a direct link between

a suspect and a crime scene?

• Class evidence
• Circumstantial evidence
• Trace evidence
• Individual evidence

Individual evidence can be directly linked to a specific source, such as fingerprints or DNA, making it crucial in establishing a suspect’s presence at a crime scene. 1 / 4

2. The primary purpose of chain of custody documentation is to:

• Identify suspects
• Ensure evidence integrity
• Analyze physical evidence
• Record witness statements

Chain of custody maintains a record of who handled the evidence and when, ensuring its integrity for court use.

• Which fingerprint pattern is characterized by a circular or spiral

formation?

• Loop
• Arch
• Whorl
• Tented arch

Whorls contain circular or spiral patterns, distinguishing them from loops and arches.

• In DNA profiling, which enzyme is commonly used to cut DNA at

specific sequences?

• DNA polymerase
• Restriction endonuclease
• Ligase
• Helicase

Restriction endonucleases recognize specific DNA sequences and cut DNA at those points, essential for fragment analysis. 2 / 4

• What is the most common presumptive test for blood at a crime

scene?

• Biuret test
• Kastle-Meyer test

C. ELISA

• Luminol test

Luminol reacts with the iron in hemoglobin, producing a blue luminescence that indicates the presence of blood.

• A hair found at a crime scene has a root present. What does this allow

the analyst to do?

• Determine age
• Determine hair color
• Extract DNA
• Determine hair growth rate

The root contains nuclear DNA, which can be extracted and analyzed to identify an individual.

• Which chromatography method separates compounds based on

polarity?

• Gas chromatography
• Thin-layer chromatography
• Paper electrophoresis
• Mass spectrometry 3 / 4

Thin-layer chromatography separates compounds based on their polarity and their interaction with the stationary phase.

• The main difference between class evidence and individual evidence is

that:

• Class evidence identifies a specific person
• Individual evidence can be linked to a unique source
• Class evidence is always physical evidence
• Individual evidence cannot identify a suspect

Individual evidence is unique to a single source, while class evidence only associates with a group.

• Which blood pattern can indicate the direction of travel of a blood

droplet?

• Passive drops
• Flow patterns
• Spatter patterns
• Pooling

Spatter patterns provide information about the direction, angle, and velocity of blood at a crime scene.

• What is the main purpose of a presumptive test for drugs?
• Confirm the exact substance
• Suggest the possible presence of a drug
• Identify the manufacturer
• Quantify drug concentration
• / 4