Utah Special Function Officer (SFO) Practice Exam

Which type of evidence does physical evidence include?

1. Witness accounts

2. Biological material

3. Documents

4. Fingerprints

The correct answer is: Fingerprints

Physical evidence encompasses tangible items that can be observed, measured, or examined in a forensic context. Among the choices provided, fingerprints are classified as physical evidence because they are actual impressions left by an individual’s dermal ridges, serving as a direct link to a person involved in a crime. Fingerprints are unique to each individual, making them a crucial type of physical evidence in investigations. They can be analyzed using various techniques to match them to a specific individual, thus providing concrete proof of presence at a crime scene or involvement in an incident. In contrast, witness accounts involve subjective interpretations and statements made by individuals, placing them in a different category of evidence rather than physical evidence. Biological material, while important and tangible, typically refers to substances such as blood, saliva, or hair, which are considered biological evidence. Documents, although they can provide valuable information, do not fall under the category of physical evidence since they are not physical objects that can be directly analyzed in a forensic sense.