U.S. Capitol Police / Federal Law Enforcement Entrance (FLETC programs) FLETC Core Training Program Curriculum Syllabus

What are the Miranda warnings and when are they required?

Advising a suspect of the right to remain silent, that statements can be used against them, the right to counsel, and to appointed counsel — required before custodial interrogation (Miranda v. Arizona).

What is the key difference between an interview and an interrogation?

An interview is non-accusatory information gathering (witnesses/victims); an interrogation is accusatory questioning of a suspect believed to be involved, aimed at obtaining the truth/confession.

What two conditions trigger the requirement to give Miranda warnings?

Custody (a reasonable person would not feel free to leave) AND interrogation (questioning likely to elicit an incriminating response) — both must be present.

What is a cognitive interview technique?

A non-leading interview method that enhances accurate witness recall by reinstating context, reporting everything, recalling events in different orders, and from different perspectives.

In interrogation, what is the danger of leading or coercive questions?

They can produce false confessions and unreliable statements, and may render the statement inadmissible as involuntary.

Define chain of custody.

The chronological, documented record of every person who handled a piece of evidence from collection to court, ensuring its integrity and admissibility.

Why is chain of custody critical to evidence admissibility?

It proves the evidence presented in court is the same item collected and that it was not altered, tampered with, or contaminated.

What is the difference between testimonial, physical (real), and documentary evidence?

Testimonial is spoken witness statements; physical/real is tangible objects from the scene; documentary is writings/records (paper or digital).

What is the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence?

Direct evidence proves a fact without inference (e.g., eyewitness); circumstantial evidence implies a fact through inference (e.g., fingerprints at the scene).

What is the proper method to package most biological/physical evidence to prevent degradation?

Use paper containers or breathable packaging for biological/wet evidence (to prevent mold) and sealed, labeled containers for trace evidence — never seal moist evidence in plastic.

What information must appear on an evidence label/tag?

Case number, item description, date/time and location collected, collector's name/initials, and a unique item number.

What is the primary purpose of an investigative report?

To create a permanent, accurate, complete record of facts that supports prosecution and can be relied upon by others (prosecutors, courts, other investigators).

What are the qualities of a well-written law enforcement report (the 'C's)?

Clear, concise, complete, accurate, factual, and objective — typically written in chronological order and first person past tense.

What questions must a complete incident/investigative report answer?

The who, what, when, where, why, and how (5 W's and H) of the incident.

Why should reports state facts rather than conclusions or opinions?

Facts are objective and defensible in court; conclusions/opinions can be challenged, are inadmissible, and undermine the officer's credibility.

What is the difference between an incident report and a supplemental report?

An incident report documents the initial event/response; a supplemental report adds later-developed information, follow-up actions, or additional evidence to the original.

What is the proper demeanor for an officer giving courtroom testimony?

Professional, calm, objective, and truthful — speak clearly to the jury, listen fully to each question, and answer only what is asked without volunteering or guessing.

What is the difference between direct examination and cross-examination?

Direct examination is questioning by the party who called the witness (open-ended); cross-examination is questioning by the opposing party (often leading) aimed at challenging credibility.

How should an officer handle a question on the stand they don't know the answer to?

Honestly state 'I don't know' or 'I don't recall' — never guess, speculate, or fabricate an answer.

What is the purpose of reviewing your report before testifying?

To refresh recollection so testimony is accurate and consistent with the written record, reducing impeachment opportunities on cross-examination.

What body of rules governs admissibility of evidence in U.S. federal courts?

The Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE).

What is the hearsay rule?

An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted is generally inadmissible, unless it falls within a recognized exception.

Give two common exceptions to the hearsay rule.

Excited utterance and present sense impression (others include dying declarations, business records, and statements against interest).

What is the exclusionary rule?

A rule barring evidence obtained in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights (e.g., illegal search) from being used at trial; established in Mapp v. Ohio.

What is the 'fruit of the poisonous tree' doctrine?

Evidence derived from an illegal search or seizure is also inadmissible, because it is tainted by the original constitutional violation.

What is relevant evidence under the Federal Rules of Evidence?

Evidence having any tendency to make a fact of consequence more or less probable than it would be without it (FRE 401); generally admissible unless otherwise excluded.

Describe the three-tier structure of the U.S. federal court system.

U.S. District Courts (trial courts) at the bottom, U.S. Courts of Appeals (Circuit Courts) in the middle, and the U.S. Supreme Court at the top.

What is the burden of proof required for a criminal conviction?

Proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

What is the typical sequence of the criminal process from arrest to trial?

Arrest, booking, initial appearance, charging (complaint/grand jury indictment), arraignment, pretrial motions/discovery, trial, verdict, and sentencing.

What is the difference between an arrest warrant and a search warrant?

An arrest warrant authorizes taking a named person into custody; a search warrant authorizes searching a specified place for specified items — both require probable cause and a judge's signature.

What is the difference between a subpoena ad testificandum and a subpoena duces tecum?

A subpoena ad testificandum compels a person to appear and testify; a subpoena duces tecum compels production of documents or physical evidence.