Florida Fire State Practice Exam

Which of the following is a potential limitation of using physical evidence?

1. It can confirm assumptions

2. It might be contaminated

3. It only comes from one source

4. It is always easy to gather

The correct answer is: It might be contaminated

Physical evidence plays a crucial role in forensic investigations, but one of its notable limitations is susceptibility to contamination. Contamination can occur during the collection, handling, or storage of evidence, which can compromise its integrity and reliability. If evidence is contaminated, it may lead to inaccurate conclusions or misinterpretations, which can significantly affect the outcomes of an investigation or legal proceedings. While physical evidence can indeed confirm assumptions in certain situations, this does not inherently represent a limitation; rather, it highlights the value of such evidence. The idea that physical evidence comes from only one source is misleading, as evidence can often be collected from multiple sources, which might provide a more comprehensive picture of the scenario in question. Additionally, gathering physical evidence can sometimes be complex or challenging due to various circumstances, such as environmental conditions or the nature of the crime scene, meaning it is not always easy to collect. Thus, the risk of contamination stands out as a critical limitation that can impact the reliability of physical evidence in forensic contexts.