Criminalistics STUDY

Besides case file information, date and time of sketch, and the sketcher's names what other items should be included in a sketch (5) (related to Objectives 04.19)?

-Perimeter measurements -Measurements to evidence from fixed points -Compass -Legend -Items of evidence

In photographing evidence, a CSI will take a minimum of three photographs of each piece. One such photograph is a close-up with a scale (ruler) next to it. What are the other two photographs?

-Photograph without a scale -Photograph to show its relative position

How should one properly mark a piece of evidence collected from a crime scene? a. The item should be marked with the officer's initials and date of collection in an area on the evidence so that it will not interfere with subsequent laboratory analysis. b. The item should be marked with the officer's initials and date of collection on any area of the evidence as long as it can be easily found by the officer during testimony. c. When in doubt as to the necessity of marking the evidence and/or marking the evidence will interfere with subsequent laboratory testing, the officer should not mark the evidence. d. Answers a and c are correct. e. All of the answers given are correct.

A & C are correct

Which of the following is an example of a known specimen?

A swabbing of the cheek of a suspect for DNA

When an item of evidence has been collected that by its very nature may deteriorate, for example, evidence containing possible DNA, the officer should: a. Transport the evidence to the laboratory the same day if possible. b. Place the evidence in the property room and notify the lab on the next business day. c. Air dry the evidence and transport to the lab within one week. d. Refrigerate the evidence at the Detective Unit and transport to the lab within one week. e. Answers a, c, and d.

A,C,D correct

What is required for packaging evidence containing biological matter?

Air-dry and package in porous containers

Tool mark examinations may provide what type of information? a. The type of tool that was used to make a mark b. The action that made the mark c. The presence of residue consistent with the damaged surface d. The particular tool that was responsible for the tool mark e. All of the above

All of the above

What factors should be considered when deciding on a crime scene search pattern? a.Type of evidencer b.Terrain and location (indoor/outdoor scene) c.Safety of the searchers d.Resources available

All of the answers given are correct.

One physical method used to secure a crime scene is the crime scene entry log (which records persons entering and leaving a crime scene). Identify four other physical methods used for securing a crime scene (Objectives 04.02.01; 04.02.04):

Barricades, Cones, Placing officers, Crime scene tape

Amido black is a chemical process for developing what type of fingerprints?

Blood contaminated fingerprints

An account for the custody of evidence from the moment it reaches the CSI's custody until the moment it is offered into evidence in a court of law is referred to as what?

Chain of custody

The caliber of a firearm, the left / right twists of the lands and grooves, the number of lands and grooves, and the widths of the lands and grooves is generally referred to as to what type of evidence (classification or individualized)?

Classification

Which of the following terms refer to placing items into groups according to their basic characteristics? a.Individualization b.Classification c.Reconstruction d.Recognition e.Ex Post Facto

Classification

Which of the following would be a logical sequence in the investigation and collection of evidence in this scenario: You respond to the scene of a burglary. The door to the building was pried open and a number of items stolen from inside the building. The door frame and door are made of metal and cannot be removed. A suspect is found at another burglary in possession of a pry tool.

Close up photograph of the tool mark; using silicon putty take an impression of the tool mark; send the pry tool and silicon impression of the tool mark to the lab.

The national forensic DNA profile database that is maintained by the FBI is known as:

Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)

In terms of blood spatter recognition, shapes of blood spots permit an estimate of velocity and/or impact and/or distance fallen from the source. What else will the shapes of blood froplets indicate to the blood spatter expert?

Directionality

What methods are typically used to record (document) a crime scene?

Field notes Sketching Photography Videotaping

Impressions found on the base of a spent cartridge case include:

Firing pin impressions & Breech face impression

What constitutional amendment is most relevant to the crime scene specialist?

Fourth Amendment

is a legal doctrine which provides that any subsequent information derived from illegally seized physical evidence is inadmissible in court and cannot be used.

Fruit of the poison tree doctrine

Which of the following crime scene search patterns works best for searching a large area containing a lot of foliage? a. Zigzag or grid patterns b. Grid or strip / line search c. Grid or spiral patterns d. Spiral or zigzag e. Spiral or zone/quadrant

Grid or strip / line search

High velocity impact spatter (HVIS) is generally related to extreme force. What action may result in HVIS?

Gunshot

What two processes are typically used for developing latent fingerprints on questioned documents?

Iodine fuming and Ninydrin

Which of the following is the most commonly used presumptive test to detect blood at crime scenes?

Luminol

Scenario question: You are a crime scene investigator called to the scene of a drive-by shooting that occurred on the street and sidewalk. The victim was found dead on the sidewalk in front of his home. First responders arrived at the scene and set up a crime scene perimeter to protect the evidence. Evidence in the street and on the sidewalk in front of the victim's home include spent shell casings and projectiles in the street, blood on the sidewalk, a paint smear on a street sign (that occurred when the suspect vehicle struck it), and a video tape from the city's surveillance camera. Is a search and seizure warrant required before you begin processing the crime scene?

No. A search warrant is not needed because there is no expectation of privacy on a public street and sidewalk.

How can one document the results of a presumptive test for the presence of blood at a crime scene?

Notes, Photography, Videotaping

The first set of photographs taken of a crime scene before any processing are referred to as what?

Overall photographs

Which of the following terms best describe any and all objects that can establish whether a crime has been committed or can provide a link between a crime and its victim or perpetrator?

Physical evidence

Which of the following DNA tests are typically used for small and degraded samples? a. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP) b.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) c.Mitochondrial d.Both b and c e.All of the tests given can be used for small and degraded samples.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) & Mitochondrial

What type of packaging container is recommended for blood and other biological evidence (Objectives 04.22.03, 04.22.04)?

Porous containers such as paper bags

Which of the following is NOT one of the principle elements of a forensic investigation involving physical evidence? a.Individualization b.Reconstruction c.Probable cause d.Recognition e.Classification

Probable cause

The spiral grooves cut into the barrel of a firearm that imparts a twisting motion on the projectile (bullet) as it leaves the barrel is referred to as what?

Rifling

When possible, the best method for submitting an evidentiary tool mark to a lab for comparison is to:

Send it intact

Three physical methods for developing latent fingerprints were discussed in class. Two of the methods include powder brushing with fine powder and magnetic wand and powder. What is the third method discussed?

Small Particle Reagent (SPR)

When referring to breech face marks, on what type of firearm evidence will these marks be found?

Spent shell casing

The type of glass that breaks into small square pieces (when smashed) is referred to as what?

Tempered glass

Corpus delicti refers to:

The facts necessary to prove a particular crime has occurred

In examining a pane of glass perforated by a bullet, how could one determine the probable direction of the projectile?

The location where the cone-shaped crater is narrower indicates the direction from which the bullet was fired

The best method for collecting evidence is to collect the item the evidence is deposited on.

True

Which of the following methods of evidence collection is used as a last resort?

Vacuuming

Upon arrival at the crime scene, ensuring its safety and integrity, and obtaining preliminary information from the first responders, the next logical step a CSI will take in crime scene processing is what?

Walk-through of the crime scene

Besides promoting the importance of microscopic evidence, Edmund Locard also advanced which of the following concepts?

When any person comes in contact with an object or another person, a cross-transfer of physical evidence occurs.

Which of the following crime scene search patterns works best for search the inside of a building?

Zone/ Quadrant

You are a CSI for the day. You receive a call from dispatch requesting your services at the scene of a shooting. The victim is shot in the chest and deceased (determined by paramedics at the scene). You are in charge of the crime scene investigation. Identify the order in which you would handle this investigation start to finish (related to Objectives 04.02.04, 04.19). Steps in Crime Scene Investigation 1. Ensure crime scene integrity2. Make sure scene is safe.3. Record the crime scene (photographs, sketching, video, notes)4. Search for, collect, and packaging evidence5. Walk-through6. Crime scene release

a. 2,1,5,3,4,6

In considering what specialists may be needed at a crime scene, which of the following could be helpful in the excavation of a burial scene (Objective 04.02.05)? A. Forensic pathologist (medical examiner) b. Criminal investigators/crime scene investigators c. Archeologist d. Anthropologist e. All of the above specialist would be helpful.

all

Which of the following statements about gunshot residue is true? a. Finding gunshot residue on an individual's hand(s) is indicative of that person having discharged, handled or having been in close proximity to a discharged weapon. b. The absence of gunshot residue on an individual's hand(s) does not eliminate the possibility that he or she handled, discharged or was in close proximity of a discharging weapon. c. GSR evidence must be collected as soon as possible (sooner the better - 6-hour limit, but evidence is lost as time passes). d. GSR can also be found on the clothing of a shooter.

all the above

Which of the following was mentioned as a reason for conducting crime scene searches? a.Locate evidence that connects a suspect to a victim. b.Locate evidence in a timely manner to avoid destruction. c.All of the answers given are correct. d.Locate evidence that connects a suspect to a crime scene. e.Locate evidence to establish that a crime has been committed.

c.All of the answers given are correct.

What type of glass is found in the windshields of cars sold in the United States?

laminated glass

A fingerprint found at a crime scene that is essentially invisible thus requiring a physical or chemical process for development (make visible) is known as

latent print

If evidence is considered biohazardous, hazardous or dangerous in any way, a biohazard label, or other appropriate warning, must be attached to the outside of the package.

true