This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of computer forensics fundamentals and process. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
In a UK-based investigation, the police seize a computer without a warrant. The suspect's lawyer argues that the evidence is inadmissible because it violates which law?
Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE)
Correct. PACE is the relevant UK law.
Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution
Why wrong: The US Fourth Amendment applies in the US, not the UK.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Why wrong: GDPR deals with data protection, not search and seizure.
Computer Misuse Act
Why wrong: The Computer Misuse Act deals with unauthorized access, not seizure procedures.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE)
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 governs the powers of police in England and Wales to search, seize, and retain evidence. Without a warrant, the seizure of a computer likely violates PACE's requirements for lawful entry and seizure, making the evidence inadmissible under UK law.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE)
Why this is correct
Correct. PACE is the relevant UK law.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution
Why it's wrong here
The US Fourth Amendment applies in the US, not the UK.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Why it's wrong here
GDPR deals with data protection, not search and seizure.
Computer Misuse Act
Why it's wrong here
The Computer Misuse Act deals with unauthorized access, not seizure procedures.
Common exam traps
EC-Council often tests the distinction between US constitutional law (Fourth Amendment) and UK statutory law (PACE), causing candidates to mistakenly apply US legal principles to a UK scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
PACE Section 8 and Schedule 1 outline the requirements for obtaining a warrant to seize property, including computers, and Section 19 allows seizure of evidence only if the officer has lawful authority to be on the premises. In digital forensics, failure to follow PACE can lead to exclusion of evidence under Section 78 of PACE, which allows the court to exclude evidence if its admission would be unfair. Real-world cases like R v. Sang often cite PACE violations when evidence is obtained without proper authorization.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CHFI exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — This question tests Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) — The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 governs the powers of police in England and Wales to search, seize, and retain evidence. Without a warrant, the seizure of a computer likely violates PACE's requirements for lawful entry and seizure, making the evidence inadmissible under UK law.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CHFI practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CHFI exam.
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