Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

What type of evidence might be present at the point of entry during a burglary involving a window?

1. Footprints, Clothing fibers, and Tool marks

2. Broken glass fragments, fingerprints, and Muddy shoe prints

3. Photographs of the area, Witness testimonies, and Security footage

4. Stray animals, Weather conditions, and Lighting

The correct answer is: Broken glass fragments, fingerprints, and Muddy shoe prints

When analyzing the scene of a burglary involving a window, broken glass fragments, fingerprints, and muddy shoe prints are commonly found types of evidence at the point of entry. Broken glass fragments can indicate how the entry was made, providing insight into the method used by the burglar to gain access to the property. This physical evidence is crucial in recreating the events of the crime and establishing the timeline of the burglary. Fingerprints can be left behind on the window frame or the glass itself. These prints can be critical in identifying the perpetrator, particularly if they are matched against a database or previously collected samples. Muddy shoe prints are often found at the point of entry, especially if the ground outside is wet or muddy. They can provide details about the type of footwear worn by the intruder and may lead investigators to the suspect based on the unique patterns of the shoe. In contrast, while photographs of the area, witness testimonies, and security footage may be helpful in gathering overall context and corroborating the timeline of events, they typically do not constitute physical evidence present at the actual point of entry. Similarly, stray animals, weather conditions, and lighting do not serve as direct evidence of the burglary and provide little in the way of concrete forensic