Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

What protective gear should be worn when searching an abandoned vehicle?

1. Face shield

2. Gloves

3. Safety goggles

4. Ear protection

The correct answer is: Gloves

When searching an abandoned vehicle, wearing gloves is crucial for several reasons. Gloves serve as a barrier between the skin and any potentially hazardous materials that may be present inside or outside the vehicle. These hazards can include sharp objects, biological contaminants, or chemical residues that could pose a health risk to the individual conducting the search. Additionally, gloves help maintain the chain of custody by preventing fingerprints or DNA from being inadvertently transferred to the evidence collected from the vehicle. This is particularly important in a law enforcement context, where the integrity of evidence must be preserved throughout the investigation. While other protective gear such as face shields, safety goggles, and ear protection can be important in specific situations—like handling materials that could cause splashes, working in loud environments, or dealing with hazardous machinery—they are not as universally necessary as gloves for the task of searching an abandoned vehicle. The focus should be on preventing direct contact with potentially harmful substances or objects, which is precisely what gloves accomplish in this context.