Forensic Science 2: Unit 2 Quiz

What is Hermann Boerhaave known for suggesting about poisons? A. Poisons can be detected through chemical means. B. Poisons can be used as capital punishment. C. Poisons can present symptoms that can be identified. D. Poisons can be classified by their effects.

A. Poisons can be detected through chemical means. Ex. Lesson 03: The History of Toxicology, "Hermann Boerhaave, a Dutch botanist and physician, suggested that poisons could be detected in a person's body through chemical means."

Why do people exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) become poisoned? A. The CO combines with hemoglobin in red blood cells and quickly reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. B. The CO targets the muscles of the heart, causing spasms and cardiac arrest. C. The CO transforms into carbon dioxide (CO2) which removes all the oxygen from the blood. D. The CO causes the blood to become too thick to travel throughout the body.

A. The CO combines with hemoglobin in red blood cells and quickly reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. Ex. Lesson 05: Detecting a Poison, "When high levels of carbon monoxide combine with hemoglobin, not enough oxygen is carried through the body, and death soon follows."

In the United States, more people die from drug-related causes each year than from firearms or car crashes. A. True B. False

A. True Ex. Lesson 02: Toxicology, "There are thousands more drug-related deaths than deaths related to firearms or car crashes."

Although strychnine is colorless, it has a very strong bitter taste. A. True B. False

A. True Ex. Lesson 04: Types of Poisons, "Although strychnine is colorless, it has a very strong, bitter taste."

A person's blood alcohol content (BAC) depends ONLY on how much alcohol they've consumed. A. True B. False

B. False Ex. Lesson 05: Detecting a Poison, "Since different people have different amounts of blood and alcohol tolerances, BAC varies depending on body size and number of drinks consumed."

If a forensic scientist uses a reagent on a blood sample in order to release carbon monoxide, what step should they take next? A. Perform a color test on the sample. B. Use gas chromatography to measure the carbon monoxide. C. Use a spectrophotometer to observe the blood absorption. D. Use ultraviolet light to count the carbon monoxide molecules.

B. Use gas chromatography to measure the carbon monoxide. Ex. Lesson 05: detecting a Poison, "Another method is to mix a reagent with the blood sample to release the carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide can then be measured separately using gas chromatography."

Susan is the forensic toxicologist at a crime scene investigating a poisoning. She is working to identify what poison was used in the murder. What information would NOT provide a clue about the identity of the poison? A. description of the victim's symptoms B. how long the body has been dead C. containers left at the scene D. test results from the sample itself

B. how long the body has been dead Ex. Lesson 02: Toxicology, "Clues to the identity of the poison may be present in the samples themselves, in descriptions of symptoms, or in containers left at the scene."

Which poison is NOT a heavy metal? A. arsenic B. thallium C. cyanide D. mercury

C. Cyanide Ex. Lesson 05: Detecting a Poison, "Although heavy metals such as arsenic, thallium, and mercury are not commonly used as poisons today..."

Where did the first law against poisoning occur? A. United States B. China C. Roman Empire D. India

C. Roman Empire Ex. Lesson 03: The History of Toxicology, "The practice became a such a widespread problem that the Roman Empire issued the world's first law against poisoning in 82 BCE."

The high rate of death during the 1918 Spanish influenza was due, in part, to: A. scarlet fever. B. arsenic poisoning. C. aspirin toxicity. D. staph infections.

C. aspirin toxicity. Ex. Lesson 02: Toxicology, "Scientists believe that many of the deaths in the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic were caused by aspirin toxicity."

Which characteristic would NOT make a poison useful for a murder poison? A. The substance's taste or odor is easily hidden. B. The substance is easy to administer. C. The substance is easy to administer. D. The substance is illegal.

D. The substance is illegal. Ex. Lesson 04: Types of Poisons, "Toxic or deadly in small doses or quantities; Easily hidden taste or odor; Easily administered; Able to produce symptoms that either mimic other illnesses or occur some time after the poison is administered; Easily found and accessible."

What is a new trend in the recreational drug field? A. inhaling arsenic B. ingesting strychnine C. injecting cyanide D. creating "designer drugs" such as bath salts

D. creating "designer drugs" such as bath salts Ex. Lesson 05: Detecting a Poison, "Many new techniques focus on detecting and identifying 'designer drugs,' which are synthetic drugs, such as bath salts created by foreign cartels or other criminal organizations to circumvent the DEA's controlled substances list."

When a toxicologist is doing an autopsy, which parts of the body will show the MOST evidence of toxic or poisonous metals? A. muscles, ligaments, and tendons B. hands and feet C. ears, eyes, nose, and mouth D. liver, brain, kidney, and spleen

D. liver, brain, kidney, and spleen Ex. Lesson 05: Detecting a Poison, "Organs such as the liver, brain, kidney, and spleen are usually retrieved during an autopsy. Toxic or poisonous metals often collect in these tissues."

Which of the following is NOT a factor in deciding what type of sample to take from a poison victim? A. how much time has passed since the death B. what type of poison is suspected C. where in the body the poison is most likely to be concentrated D. the gender of the person who died

D. the gender of the person who died Ex. Lesson 05: Detecting a Poison, "These factors include the length of time that has elapsed since death, the type of poison suspected, and locations at which the poison is most likely to be found."

Which of the following is NOT a method by which strychnine can be administered? A. ingestion B. absorption through mucus membranes C. inhalation D. topical cream

D. topical cream Ex. Lesson 04: Types of Poisons, "Strychnine comes from the seeds of the strychnine tree, and strychnine poisoning can occur through consumption, inhalation, or absorption by mucous membranes."