MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What type of evidence is a bullet recovered from a body classified as?

1. Known Evidence

2. Trace Evidence

3. Latent Evidence

4. Physical Evidence

The correct answer is: Latent Evidence

The classification of a bullet recovered from a body fits into the category of physical evidence. Physical evidence refers to any tangible items that can be collected and analyzed in the context of a criminal investigation. This can include items like firearms, bullets, weapons, and other objects that have a definite presence and can be handled or examined. A bullet, being a physical object, can provide crucial information about a crime scene, such as the type of firearm used or potentially linking a suspect to the crime through ballistics analysis. It can also offer insights into the circumstances of the death, making it a significant piece of evidence in legal and investigative processes. In contrast, known evidence refers to items with known origins, such as evidence from a suspect's belongings, whereas trace evidence usually involves smaller, often microscopic materials such as hair or fibers that may leave behind clues. Latent evidence typically involves items that are not immediately visible, such as fingerprints left on a surface, which require specialized techniques to visualize. Each of these categories is important in forensic investigation, but the bullet's classification as physical evidence highlights its tangible and analyzable characteristics, essential for gathering facts during a criminal inquiry.