Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

Which is NOT a responsibility of an officer when collecting evidence?

1. Marking evidence

2. Labeling evidence

3. Conducting interviews

4. Proper packaging

The correct answer is: Conducting interviews

The responsibility of an officer when collecting evidence primarily revolves around the accurate handling and preservation of that evidence to ensure its integrity throughout the investigation and potential courtroom proceedings. Marking evidence involves identifying and tagging items to establish a chain of custody, allowing for tracking and accountability. Labeling is crucial for providing information about the evidence, such as the date, time, and nature of the item, as well as the case number and the officer's identification. Proper packaging is also essential; it protects evidence from contamination or degradation, which could impact its usefulness in legal proceedings. Each of these actions is integral to maintaining the quality and reliability of evidence collected at a crime scene. In contrast, conducting interviews is not a direct responsibility tied to the physical handling of evidence. While interviewing suspects, witnesses, or victims is a critical component of the investigative process, it doesn’t directly relate to the collection of evidence itself, making it the option that does not fit with the specific duties associated with evidence collection.