Ontario Private Investigator Practice Exam

What is considered Trace Evidence?

1. Electronic records

2. Fingerprints or footprints, hair or fiber from a piece of clothing

3. Witness testimonies

4. Written documents

The correct answer is: Fingerprints or footprints, hair or fiber from a piece of clothing

Trace evidence refers to small, often imperceptible materials that can be transferred from one location or person to another during the commission of a crime. This category of evidence is crucial in forensic investigations as it can establish links between a suspect, a victim, and a crime scene. The presence of hair, fibers, and other minute particles can provide significant insight into the circumstances surrounding a crime. For example, if a suspect's hair is found at a crime scene, it may help connect them to the act. The same applies to fibers from clothing, which can indicate contact between individuals. This specificity and ability to make connections between different elements of a case makes trace evidence of paramount importance in forensic science. In contrast, electronic records, witness testimonies, and written documents serve different roles in investigations. While they can be important in supporting a case, they do not fall under the specific definition of trace evidence, which is characterized by its small and often easily overlooked nature, rather than being large-scale, formal, or circumstantial evidence like those in the other options.