Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

What devices are commonly found at crime scenes and can store vital evidence?

1. Computers and tablets

2. Radios and cameras

3. Computers and cell phones

4. Hard drives and USBs

The correct answer is: Computers and cell phones

Computers and cell phones are pivotal in modern crime scene investigations as they often hold a wealth of vital evidence. These devices store various forms of data, including emails, text messages, call logs, photographs, and application information, which can all be crucial for understanding the context of a crime. Cell phones, in particular, may contain location data that can help establish a suspect's movements and connections to others involved in a case. Additionally, they can provide access to social media platforms that may shed light on relationships, motives, and even actions leading up to a crime. Computers can hold extensive files and documents that might relate to criminal activities, including financial records, communications, and downloaded content. The digital footprint left on these devices serves as significant evidence that can be utilized in investigations and, ultimately, in legal proceedings. The other options, while they may possess some capacity for evidence storage, do not match the extensive and diverse data utility found in computers and cell phones in the context of crime scene investigations.