Forensics

What are prints collected on?

"tenprint" cards

Other Areas of Forensic Science

- Forensic Art - Forensic Psychiatry - Forensic Odontology - Forensic Pathology - Forensic Engineering - Computer Forensic - Jurisprudence

What is used to identify and compare fibers?

- Fourier Transform Infrared analysis (FTIR) - Optical microscopy - Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (PGC-MS)

Where Forensic Scientists Work

- Law enforcement agencies - Forensic Labs - Universities - Hospitals - Consulting offices

What are the problems with fiber evidence?

- class characteristic - the less common the fiber the more useful it is to identify a suspect

Why are fibers used to reconstruct crime scenes?

- condition of the garment/fiber - type and composition of the fabric - mobility of victim - length of time between actual and physical contact

What are fibers?

- considered class evidence - have probative value - common trace evidence at a crime scene - can be characterized based on comparison of both physical and chemical properties

Why are prints unique?

- due to the way they are formed - randomly grown while in the womb - friction and pressure on the areas where ridges form affect their final outcome

What are individual characteristics of fibers?

- high probability of linkage with only one individual - one of a kind, unusually made fiber made in very small amount with unusual dye

What are the tests for identification?

- microscope observation - burning - thermal decomposition - chemical tests - density - refractive index - fluorescence

What are the basic comparisons of fiber samples?

- microscopic comparison of color and diameter - lengthwise striations - cross-section of fiber (shape) - fabric comparisons (weave pattern, thread count) - color separation

What are the types of synthetic fibers?

- rayon - nylon - acetate - acrylic - spandex - polyester (Under Armor) - polypropylene (bicycling clothing) - kevlar - lycra

What are the types of natural fibers?

- silk - linen - angora - cotton - wool - mohair - cashmere - hemp - all furs

What is the value of fibers dependent on?

- type of fiber - color or color variations in fiber - location of fiber - number of fibers that matches between victim and suspect

What are the classifications of natural fibers according to their origin?

- vegetable or cellulose - animal or protein - mineral

What are the medical examiner's responsibilities?

1. identify the deceased 2. establish the time and date of death 3. determine the medical cause of death 4. determine the mechanism of death 5. classify the manner of death 6. notify the next of kin

medical examiner responsibilities

1. identify the deceased 2. establish the time and date of death 3. determine the medical cause of death (the injury or disease that resulted in the person dying) 4. determine the mechanism of death (the physiological reason that the person died) 5. classify the manner of death - natural - accidental - suicide - homicide - undetermined 6. notify the next of kin

Types of crimes:

1. infraction- miner offense or petty crime; penalty is usually a fine 2. misdemeanor- minor crime punishable by fine or jail 3. felony- major crime punishable by fines and/or more than one year in prison

Facets of Guilt

1. means- the ability to have committed the crime 2. motive- the reason for committing the crime. (This doesn't have to be proven or presented in a court of law, but its what everyone wants to know) 3. opportunity- time or availability to have committed the crime

How do you collect evidence?

1. photograph 2. markers/labels 3. sketch 4. collect 5. turn in to lab 6. chain of custody receipt

How do you search the scene?

1. record (take notes, photos, and sketch) 2. start at entry/path 3. choose a systematic method 4. glove up

What year did Galton publish Finger Prints?

1892

During what decade did Federal prisons begin to use fingerprints to identify prisoners?

1920's

When did James Watson and Francis Crick discover the DNA double helix?

1959

When was AFIS made?

1977 (fully in the FBI by 1996)

When was Williams convicted?

1982

When were DNA first used in criminal cases?

1984

When was DNA discovered

1990s

When was DNA discovered?

1990s

Murder charges

1st degree murder: premeditated 2nd degree murder: killed intentionally, but not thought out as much ahead of time voluntary manslaughter: usually involves sudden passion (fear, rage, anger, terror) involuntary manslaughter: (criminally negligent homicide) killed someone, but unintentionally

How many centimeters are in a inch?

2.54 centimeters

How many bones are in the body?

206

When do fingerprints come about?

24 weeks in utero

What percent of fingers have whorls?

30%

What amendments are relevant to the Miranda Rights?

4 and 5

How many forensic pathologists are throughout the U.S.?

400

Low velocity of blood

5 feet per second or less

Medium velocity of blood

5 to 25 feet per second

What percent of fingers have arches?

5%

What percent of fingers have loops?

65%

If someone has more than 32 teeth, they are ____

A full adult

If someone has under 20 teeth, they are _____

A young child

What does the first officer on the scene do?

ADAPT

Probative evidence

Actually proves something

Material evidence

Addresses an issue relevant to the particular crime

What can a forensic anthropologist determine?

Age range, sex, race, approximate height, cause of death, disease, or anomaly

What can you determine from bones?

Age, sex, race, approx height, cause of death

Miranda Rights

Amendments 4 and 5 Right to remain silent, right to attorney, right to a fair and just trial, and everything you say may be used in the court of law

Angle of impact

Angle at which blood strikes a target surface

Eye orbits for Whites

Angular

Forensic anthropology

Applied anthropology that specializes in the changes in the human skeleton for the purpose of legal inquiry

Growth of Labs

As populations have grown, forensic science labs have been developed in new areas and older labs have grown in size to reflect the growing population they serve.

First officer on the crime scene does ADAPT

Assess the crime scene and assist the injured Detain the witness Arrest the perpetrator Protect the crime scene Take notes

Epiphyses

At the ends of the bones, function allow for growth - where the growth plate is

What does AFIS stand for?

Automated Fingerprint Identification System

What type of sacrum do females have?

Backward

What happens in the next 10-20 days of death?

Black putrefaction, creamy flesh, exposed body parts are black, body collapse as gases and fluids drain

Pathology unit

Blood

Algor mortis

Blood cooling rate

Physical science units

Chemistry, physics, geology

Who used fingerprints as a signature on documents?

Chinese

What type of ilia do males have?

Close

CODIS

Combined DNA Index System

What does RFLP do?

Cut DNA into smaller fragments that can be separated and characterized

Biology unit

DNA, blood, body fluid

What happens in the first 0-4 days of death?

Decomposing internally, initial or fresh decay

Odontology unit

Dentist/teeth

How do you determine age and stature?

Determined by analyzing the development of the teeth, bone growth, cranial suture lines, and the length of specific bones, such as the femur

How do you determine race?

Determined by analyzing the skull for characteristics that are common among people of different races

How do you determine sex?

Determined by examining the skull, pelvis, humerus, and femur

Expert Witness

Determined by.... - Education - Experience - Training - Certification - Demeanor

Who paid a doctor to change his prints by cutting squares out of his prints then turned them upside down and sewed them back on?

Donald Roquierre

What type of container is trace evidence stored?

Druggist fold with container that allows no leakage

Toxicology unit

Drugs

_____ prints are lifted with 1 ½ -2 inch wide clear tape and placed onto a piece of _____.

Dusted, cardstock

Coroner

Elected official with no medical training

14th Century Chinese

Forensic Medicine was around

Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology is a type of applied anthropology that specializes in the changes and variations in the human skeleton for the purpose of legal inquiry

What is forensic science?

Forensic science is the scientific study of evidence to discover the facts in a criminal or civil matter. The science applied to solve crimes.

What type of sacrum do males have?

Forward

Who was the first person to study fingerprints and develop a system of classifying?

Galton

Growth of Labs

Generally - population Other Factors - Miranda? - 1960's? - Technology

What does a cortex do with hair?

Gives it its shape

High velocity of blood

Greater than 25 feet per second

What type of pubic angles do females have?

Greater than 90 degrees

Cause

HOW

Race characteristics of white people

Have a long, narrow nasal aperture, a triangular palate, oval orbits, narrow zygomatic arches, and narrow mandibles

Race characteristics of asians

Have a more rounded nasal aperture, a parabolic palate, rounded orbits, wide zygomatic arches, and more pointed mandibles

Race characteristics of black people

Have a wide nasal aperture, a rectangular palate, square orbits, and more pronounced zygomatic arches. The long bones are longer, and have less curvature and greater density

White

High zygomatic arch

What are examples of long bones?

Humerus, tibia

What other information can law enforcement agencies require for the labeling of evidence?

ID or badge number, victim's name and address (if known), district of occurence

What is DNA profiling used for?

Identifying suspects, free individuals, identity victims, establish paternity, match organ donors

Growth plate

If there's a gap between bones, you're still growing. If there is no gap, you're done growing

federal rules of evidence

In order for scientific evidence to be admitted in a court of law, it must be: 1. Probative: actually proves something 2. Material: addresses an issue that is relevant to the particular crime

Cortex of hair

Inner layer made of keratin and embedded with pigment

Medulla

Inside layer of hair running down the center of the cortex

White progmatisim

Jaw and nose line up perfectly

Black progmatisim

Jaw juts out

Who paid a doctor $5000 to change his face and "remove" his fingerprints by putting acid on his fingers?

John Dillinger

Daubert court case

Judges decide if evidence can be admitted by whether the theory can be tested, whether the science has been offered for peer review, whether the rate of error is accepted, method is wide spread, or the theory follows standards

What type of mastoid process do males have?

Large

What type of pelvic outlet do females have?

Large

What type of pubic angles do males have?

Less than 90 degrees

What does CODIS do?

Links serial crimes and unsolved cases with repeat offenders

Edmund Locard

Locard's Principal of Exchange- the perpetrator of a crime will bring something into the crime scene and leave with something from it, and that both can be used as forensic evidence

Edmund Locard

Locard's Principle of Exchange

What's the best bone to determine height?

Long bone

What kind of bone is used to determine age?

Long bone (humerus, tibia) or skull or teeth

What does PCR do?

Make copies of a defined segment of a DNA molecule

Medical examiner

Medical doctor, appointed by the gov of the area

What gives hair its color?

Melanin

_____ doesn't have to be proven or presented in a court of law, but its what everyone wants to know.

Motive

Manner

Natural, homicide, suicide, accident, undetermined

What are chemical substances to develop a print?

Ninhydrin, Iodine, Silver Nitrate, Genetian Violet, Super Glue

What is DNA composed of?

Nucleotides

Ware and tear on the bones, what does that mean?

Older

What are the types of carpet fibers?

Orlon, Dacron

Cuticle of hair

Outside covering made of overlapping scales

Any suture that is completely closed they are usually

Over 30 (but in women sometimes over 50)

What's the best bone to determine sex?

Pelvis, could also use skull

Palynology unit

Pollen spores

PCR

Polymerase chain reaction

Set-ups of Labs

Possible sections in a lab - Biology/DNA - Chemistry/Drug?- Toxicoloy - Arson/Explosives (not always) - Firearms/Toolmarks - Trace (not always ) - Questioned Docs (not always) - Polygraph, voice Detection (not always) - Medical Examiner (usually a separate office)

Ventral arc

Present in females, front arc in the pubic bone

What type of brow ridges do males have?

Prominent

What happens in the next 4-10 days of death?

Putrefaction or bloating - cadaver is swollen by gas produced internally

What type of forehead do males have?

Receding

Asian progmatisim

Receding jaw

Eye orbits for Blacks

Rectangular

Rigor mortis

Rigidity of skeletal msucles

Who hired a doctor to remove his fingerprints then graft abdominal skin onto his fingers?

Roscoe Pitts

Eye orbits for Asians

Round

What type of chin do females have?

Rounded

Who taught law enforcement agencies how to use fingerprints at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis?

Scotland Yard

Arthur Conan Doyle

Sherlock Holmes novels

Livor mortis

Skin discoloration caused by pooling of blood

What's the best bone to determine race?

Skull

What type of brow ridges do females have?

Slight

What type of mastoid process do females have?

Small

What type of pelvic outlet do males have?

Small

What type of ilia do females have?

Spread

What type of chin do males have?

Square

Who was the first in the United States to use fingerprinting for identification?

St. Louis City Police

Transient evidence

Temporary, usually observed by the first officer at the scene

What was the result of the Frye v. United States (1923) case?

The Frye Standard (evidence, procedures, and equipment presented at trial must be generally accepted by the scientific community)

Zygomatic Arch

The bony arch of the cheek formed by connection of the zygomatic and temporal bones.

What was the result of the Dr. Carl Coppolino (1963) case?

The court ruled: - the fact that a technique, test, or procedure is new does not necessarily mean its findings are inadmissible in court - the expert witness is responsible for providing scientifically valid testimony to support the findings

Frye court case

The evidence presented in the trail and jury and decides if it can be used if it is generally accepted by the scientific community

Serology

The examination and analysis of blood fluids

What part of the hair has mitochondrial DNA?

The hair shaft

Why do investigators use an age range?

The investigator doesn't want to eliminate any possibilities for identification

If the skull sutures are closed, what does that mean?

The person is older

If the skull sutures are opened, what does that mean?

The person is younger

What part of the hair has nuclear DNA?

The root

Diaphysis

The shaft of the long bone

What is the tibia also known as?

The shin bone

Osteology

The study of bone

How can you estimate the weight of a person?

The ware and tear of the bones

Ware and tear on particular side of the body?

They possibly were right/left handed, or used that side more

What is a double helix?

Two coiled DNA strands

What was the result of the Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals (1993) case?

U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the trial judge had ultimate decision-making power regarding expert testimony at trial

Any suture that is completely open they are usually

Under 25

What type of forehead do females have?

Vertical

Mechanism

WHY BODY STOPPED

In what case did fibers weigh heavily on the outcome of the case?

Wayne Williams

Testimonial evidence

What is said in court by a competent witness

Locard's Principle of Exchange

When two objects come in contact, there is always something left behind.

Female has a _____ subpubic concavity or subpubic angle

Wide

Black

Wide zygomatic arch

Female has a ____ public body than a male

Wider

forensic pathology

a field in which the principles of medicine and pathology are applied to determine a cause of death or injury in the context of a legal inquiry

forensic psychology

a field in which the principles of medicine and pathology are applied to determine a cause of death or injury in the context of a legal inquiry

Who is a medical examiner?

a medical doctor, usually a pathologist, and is appointed by the governing body of the area

What does the sixth amendment ensure?

a person will be tried by an impartial jury of his or her peers

What is a plain whorl like?

a spiral

What is fluorescence?

absorption and reemission of light; used for comparing fibers as well as spotting fibers for collection

What do nonporous containers like mason jars and metal cans that seal prevent?

accelerants from arson scenes from evaporating from the containers

How can fingerprints be destroyed?

acid, grafting skin, surgically removing skin, burning

What is probative evidence?

actually proves something

What is material evidence?

addresses an issue that is relevant to the particular crime

What should you sketch about the scene?

all evidence found, measurements (two from fixed points), orientation and direction (North directional marker), labels for representing evidence

How is the fiber from a scene compared to fiber from a known source?

all the characteristics found on the known fiber and the questioned fiber must be identical

forensic podiatry

an application of the study of feet, footprint, or footwear and their traces to analyze scene of crime and to establish personal identity in forensic examinations

Who is a coroner?

an elected official who usually has no special medical training; in 4 states, the coroner is a medical doctor

What is wool?

animal fiber coming most often from sheep, but may be goat (mohair), rabbit (angora), camel, alpaca, llama, vicuna

What is a natural fiber?

animal, vegetable, or inorganic

forensic document examination or questioned document examination

answers questions about about a disputed document using a variety of scientific processes and methods. Many examinations involve a comparison of the questioned document, or components of the document, with a set of known standards. The most common type of examination involves handwriting, whereby the examiner tries to address concerns about potential authorship.

Alphonse Bertillon

anthropometry (science that would measure the arms and lengths of men to identify criminals)

What do containers need to be in order to prevent loss or damage?

appropriate size, appropriate type

What does the second A in ADAPT stand for?

arrest the perpetrator

What does the A in ADAPT stand for?

assess the crime scene and assist the injured

For how many years have fingerprints been used for many purposes?

at least 3000 years

Describe a tented arch.

at least one ridge forms a line straight up like a tent pole

When do you release the crime scene?

at reasonable time, after check walk through, after recording "released to..." and "date/time", and after getting a warrant

When hairs and fibers are lifted from a surface using tape, the tape can be _____.

attached to a petri dish and the dish can be contained in an envelope

What is FTIR?

based on selective absorption of wavelengths of light

What is cotton's value in forensic investigations?

basically meaningless

Each piece of evidence should _____.

be photographed, have its location marked, be measured for location in a sketch, be properly collected, and have a record of chain of custody

Why are fibers class evidence?

because of mass production of goods/garments

When is the discovery phase?

before the trial

What are the seven ridge characteristics?

bifurcation, enclosure, ridge ending, island or dot, ridge crossing, short ridge, spur

What are the classifications of evidence by nature?

biological, chemical, physical, miscellaneous

What are the possible sections in a lab?

biology/DNA, chemistry/drug?, toxicology, arson/explosives (not always), firearms/toolmarks, trace (not always), arson/explosives (not always), questioned documents (not always), polygraph, voice detection (not always), medical examiner (usually a separate office)

What are examples of pattern evidence?

blood spatter, glass fracture, fire burn pattern, furniture position, projectile trajectory, tire marks or skid marks, clothing or article distribution, gunpowder residue, material damage, body position, toolmarks, modus operandi

What is biological evidence?

blood, semen, saliva, sweat, tears, hair, bone, tissues, urine, feces, animal material, insects, bacteria, fungi, botanical material

What do rigid containers protect evidence from?

breakage and scratching

What is PGC-MS?

burns a sample under controlled conditions, separates and analyzes each combustion product

How are knitted fabrics made?

by interlocking loops into a specific arrangement

How are prints collected?

by rolling each print in ink or scanning them

How do you prevent metals from being bent or scratched?

by wrapping in cotton and placing in rigid containers

How do you prevent fragile evidence from being broken?

by wrapping it in cotton and placing in a rigid container

Individual characteristic

can be identified with a particular person or a single source

What is individual evidence?

can be identified with a particular person or a single source (fingerprints, blood DNA typing, etc.)

If any part of the chain of custody record is missing or questioned, the evidence _____.

can be inadmissible (useless) in court

What is the second significance of fiber evidence?

can prove contact between an individual and an object

What is the first significance of fiber evidence?

can prove contact between two individuals

What was his conviction based on?

carpet fibers that were found in his home, car and on several murder victims

What is cellulose acetate?

cellulose chemically-altered to create an entirely new compound not found in nature

What does the design of plain weave resemble?

checkboard

What is rayon?

chemically-altered cellulose; soft, lustrous, versatile

What is used to separate dyes for comparative analysis?

chromatography

Comparison of _____ . If all measurements are equal, then the two samples may be considered to have come from the same source or origin.

class characteristics measured against those of known standards or controls

What does it mean to say fiber from a scene and fiber from a known source are similar fibers?

class or individual

Paul Kirk

coined term forensic science

Each piece of evidence, even if it is the same type (e.g. 3 of the same type of .357 caliber cartridge cases) are _____.

collected in separate containers

Preservation though the _____.

collection and proper packaging of evidence

What is the minimum amount of things needed when labeling collected prints?

collector's name, date and time of lift, location of the lift

Conditional evidence fire?

color and direction of the flames, speed of spread, temperature and condition of fire

Conditional evidence smoke?

color, direction of travel, density, odor

Class characteristic

common to a group of objects or persons

What is class evidence?

common to a group of objects or persons

Conditional evidence scene?

condition of furniture, doors and windows, any disturbance or signs of a struggle

What are class characteristics of fibers?

consistent with a group

A forensic scientist can only say that two fibers are what?

consistent with each other

What is yarn?

continuous strand of fibers or filaments, either twisted or not

Loops may be one _____ thread or a _____.

continuous, combination

What is a very common fiber?

cotton

Hans Gross

criminalistics

involuntary manslaughter

criminally negligent homicide (killed someone, but unintentionally)

Daubert

criteria for evaluating the science used to support evidence presented by an expert

What do you takes notes over when you are at the crime scene?

date/time of arrival, name, address/description, weather conditions, log of all activities

forensic entomology

deals with the examination of insects in, on and around human remains to assist in determination of time or location of death. It is also possible to determine if the body was moved after death.

Likelihood of finding transferred fibers on the clothing of the suspect _____ after each day that passes.

decreases

What are the individual qualities of the different fabrics?

degree of: - stretch - absorbency - water repellence - softness - durability

Individualization in _____.

demonstrating that the sample is unique, even among members of the same class

What is one of the most common examples of twill weave?

denim

What does the D in ADAPT stand for?

detain the witness

Fingerprints are chemically _____ and _____.

developed, photographed

What weave pattern does twill weave make?

diagonal weave pattern

What do you have to make sure when collecting fiber evidence?

different items are not placed on the same surface before being bagged

By varying the chemical structure of the monomers or by varying the way they are joined together, polymers are created that have _____ _____.

different properties

What is quadrant/one-search?

divides an area into sections that are small enough to be searched by one person

What does a CSI unit do?

documents the crime scene in detail and collects any physical evidence

Conditional evidence vehicles?

doors locked or unlocked, windows opened or closed, radio off or on, odometer mileage

What are expert witnesses determined by?

education, experience, training, certification, demeanor

What is the expert witness determined by?

education, experience, training, certification, demeanor

What are the accepted standards for most agencies?

eight points

What do paper containers collect (paper bags, cardboard boxes and sheets of paper) ?

evidence that contains body fluids

What is spandex?

extreme elastic properties

What is blend?

fabric made up of two or more different types of fibers

T/F When someone is being arrested in the area they are in (home/car/etc.) they cannot be searched.

false

T/F You cannot search without a warrant if consent is given by the parties involved.

false

T/F You do not wear gloves when at the crime scene.

false

True or False - A fingerprint does not remain unchanged during an individual's lifetime.

false

True or False - The holes of the nozzle are round.

false - not necessarily round

What are latent prints made up of?

fatty acids, oils, amino acids, proteins, salts, H20

What is fabric made of?

fibers

What is chemical evidence?

fibers, glass, soil, gunpowder, metals, minerals, narcotics, drugs, paper, ink, cosmetics, paint, plastic, lubricants, fertilizer

William Herschel

fingerprint

What is the most common way to visualize latent prints?

fingerprint powder and brush

What is physical evidence?

fingerprints, footprints, shoeprints, handwriting, firearms, tire marks, toolmarks, typewriting

What are examples of imprints and indentations?

footprints, teeth marks in perishable foods, tire marks on certain surfaces

What happens when synthetic fibers are hot?

forced out of a nozzle then woven

What are the other areas of forensic science?

forensic art, forensic psychiatry, forensic odontology, forensic pathology, forensic engineering, computer forensic, jurisprudence

14th century Chinese

forensic medicine

How many types of whorls are there?

four

How are fingerprints made?

from movements in the womb

How should you measure each piece of evidence?

from two fixed points or using triangulation

What is the arrest phase?

gathering evidence to show probable cause (observation, expertise, information, circumstantial evidence)

What is thermal decomposition?

gently heating to break down the fiber to the basic monomers

What is interpretation?

giving meaning to all the information

What do you do in the collection of evidence?

glove up, use separate containers, label outside of containers, seal the containers

What do fingerprints help us do?

grab objects

What do you collect from the body?

hair and fiber; clothing; blood sample; bullets; fingernail scrapings; oral, anal, and vaginal swabs in sexual assaults; organ samples for possible testing

Describe a double loop whorl?

has two loops, one upside down next to the other

Conditional evidence light?

headlight, lighting conditions, lights on or off

The way a fabric accepts a particular dye may also be used to do what?

identify and compare samples

What is pattern evidence mostly in the form of?

imprints, indentations, striations, markings, fractures, or deposits

In fabric production, what are fabrics composed of?

individual threads or yarns, made of fibers, that are knitted, woven, bonded, crocheted, felted, knotted or laminated

What are the evidence characteristics?

individual, class

How do you bag clothing items?

individually in paper bags

Reconstruction of the events in the case using _____.

inductive and deductive logic, statistical data, pattern analysis, results of laboratory analysis

Types of Crimes

infraction, misdemeanor, felony

What should be directly written on the seal after covering the opening of the container?

initials of the person sealing the evidence, date sealed

What is silk?

insect fiber that is spun by a silk worm to make its cocoon; fiber reflects light and has insulating properties

2nd degree murder

killed intentionally, but not thought out as much ahead of time

What is miscellaneous evidence?

laundry marks, voice analysis, polygraph, photography, stress evaluation, psycholinguistic analysis, vehicle identification

Where do forensic scientists work?

law enforcement agencies, forensic labs, universities, hospitals, consulting offices

What are examples of conditional evidence?

light, smoke, fire, location, vehicles, body, scene

What is a line search?

line up searchers within arm's-length of one another and forms a line that walks across the scene

What are the types of searches?

line, strip, grid, link, zone, wheel/ray, contracting spiral, expanding spiral

Describe a plain arch.

lines go all the way across the print

What do the bottom of ulnar loops point out toward?

little-finger-side of the hand

What are polymers?

long chains of repeating chemical units

What does satin weave create?

long floats

How do you determine if a print from a scene is consistent with a control from a suspect?

look for points to see if they have the same ridge characteristics

What do zip-closure containers prevent?

loss of trace evidence

What is a felony?

major crime punishable by fines and/or more than one year in prison

How do you lift fiber evidence?

make tape lifts of exposed skin areas of bodies and any inanimate objects

What is fiberglass?

manufactured inorganic fiber

What is rock wool?

manufactured mineral fiber

What does the word polymer mean?

many (poly) units (mer)

What is density?

mass of object divided by the volume of the object

Facets of guilt

means, motive, opportunity

What is refractive index?

measurement of the bending of light as it passes from air into a solid or liquid

What is a misdemeanor?

minor crime punishable by fine or jail

What is an infraction?

minor offense or petty crime; penalty is usually a fine

What are the repeating units of a polymer called?

monomers

How many different dye formulations are there?

more than 7000

What is nylon?

most durable of man-made fibers; extremely light weight

What is polyester?

most widely used man-made fiber

What is placed on the outside of a container?

name of collector, date and time collected, brief description of the evidence

What are the types of fibers and fabric?

natural and artificial

What is asbestos?

natural fiber that has been used in fire-resistant substances

What is manner?

natural, accidental, suicide, homicide, undetermined

Do you simplify fractions with Henry Number?

no (police math)

How many deltas do arches have?

none

What type of container is arson evidence stored?

nonporous and unbreakable container

What is burning?

observation of how a fiber burns, the odor, color of flame, smoke and the appearance of the residue

What is secondary transfer?

occurs when already transferred fibers on the clothing of a suspect transfers to clothing of a victim

What is primary transfer?

occurs when fibers are transferred from a fabric directly onto a victim's clothing

What are examples of transient evidence?

odor, temperature, imprints, and indentations

Conditional evidence location?

of injuries or wounds, of bloodstains, of the victim's vehicle, of weapons or cartridge cases, of broken glass

How many deltas do loops have?

one

What makes our fingerprints individual?

our ridge patterns and how those patterns were created in utero

Interlacing weave of satin pass _____ _____ or more yarns.

over four

The warp yearn of twill weave is passed _____ _____ to _____ weft yarns before going _____ one.

over one, three, under

What should you photograph?

overview (shows as much of the scene as possible), rooms or areas near the scene, possible entry/exit paths, physical evidence, close-ups of each piece of evidence so that piece of evidence is in the photo, and perspective of that piece of evidence located in the scene

What should fibers be stored in?

paper bag

Identification using scientific testing of _____.

physical properties, chemical properties, morphological (structural) properties, biological properties, immunological properties

What is the simplest and most common weave pattern?

plain weave

What are synthetic fiber made of?

polymers

What container type are body fluids stored?

porous container

Conditional evidence body?

position and types of wounds; rigor, livor, and algor mortis

1st degree murder

premeditated

What is important for the reconstruction of crime scene?

primary and secondary transfer

In order for scientific evidence to be admitted in a court of law it must be _____ or _____.

probative, material

What is conditional evidence?

produced by a specific event or action; important in crime scene reconstruction and in determining the set of circumstances or sequence within a particular event

What is transfer evidence?

produced by contact between person(s) and object(s), or between person(s) and person(s)

What is pattern evidence?

produced by direct contact between a person and an object or between two objects

What happens at the trial?

prosecution and defense present their cases

What does the P in ADAPT stand for?

protect the crime scene

What is acrylic?

provides warmth from a lightweight, soft and resilient fiber

What are examples of odor?

putrefaction, perfume, gasoline, urine, burning, explosives, cigarette or cigar smoke

What are the typical search methods?

quadrant or one-search

What seven things happen in forensic investigations?

recognition, preservation, identification, comparison, individualization, interpretation, reconstruction

RFLP

restriction fragment length polymorphism

Fingerprints have general characteristic _____ that permit them to be systematically classified.

ridge patterns

What are the Miranda Rights?

right to remain silent, right to attorney, right to a fair and just trial, anything you say may be used in the court of law

What container type are glass or other breakables stored?

rigid container

What container type are metal objects stored?

rigid container

What do deltas look like?

river deltas

Yarn is formed into successive _____ of _____ then drawn through another _____ of loops to make the fabric.

rows, loops, series

All prints with same number are stored where?

same section of files

What is the most obvious example of satin weave?

satin

Frye

science had to be accepted

What is a spiral search?

searches inward from the piece of evidence farthest from the center of the scene in a spiral motion until the center is reached or begins at the center of the evidence and searches outward in a spiraling motion

What is a grid search?

searches the scene going back and forth in one direction until you reach the opposite side of the scene, then searches perpendicular to that direction, back and forth until the entire area is covered

Components that make up dyes can be _____ and _____ to an _____.

separated, matched, unknown

STR

short tandem repeats

What should removed fibers be folded into?

small sheet of paper

What are chemical tests?

solubility and decomposition

What is an accidental whorl?

some combination of print types

What is associative evidence?

something that may associate a victim or suspect with a scene or with each other; e.g., personal belongings

What does the design of twill weave resemble?

stair steps

What are examples of temperature?

surroundings, car hood, coffee, water in a bathtub, cadaver

What do invisible (latent) prints leave?

sweat and oils from skin on a surface

What is an artificial fiber?

synthesized or created from altered natural sources

What does the T in ADAPT stand for?

take notes

Forensic DNA analysis

takes advantage of the uniqueness of an individual's DNA to answer forensic questions such as paternity/maternity testing and placing a suspect at a crime scene, e.g. in a rape investigation

How do you secure the crime scene?

tape off area large enough to contain all possible evidence (within reason)

What is transient evidence?

temporary; easily changed or lost; usually observed by the first officer at the scene

What is means?

the ability of having committed the crime

What is recognition?

the ability to distinguish important evidence from unrelated material; pattern recognition; physical property observation; information analysis; field testing

trace evidence analysis

the analysis and comparison of trace evidence including glass, paint, fibers, and hair

forensic anthropology

the application of physical anthropology in a legal setting, usually for the recovery and identification of skeletonized human remains

criminalistics

the application of various sciences to answer questions relating to examinations and comparison of biological evidence, trace evidence, impression evidence (such as fingerprints, footwear impressions, and tire tracks), controlled substances, ballistics, firearm and toolmark examination, and other evidence in criminal investigations. In typical circumstances evidence is processed in a Crime lab.

What is AFIS?

the computerized system that compares fingerprints to the millions of prints in the FBI database

What do porous containers allow for?

the evaporation of water which prevents body fluids from molding

What happens because the holes of the nozzle are not necessarily round?

the fiber may have a unique shape in cross-section

Terminal velocity

the greatest speed to which a free-falling drop of blood can accelerate in air. It is dependent upon the acceleration of gravity and the friction of the air against the blood

What is cause?

the injury or disease that resulted in the person dying

Who does the body belong to?

the medical examiner's office

What is mechanism?

the physiological reason that the person died

What is motive?

the reason for committing the crime

What is chain of custody?

the record of all that happens to the evidence from the moment it is discovered until the case is closed (found not guilty or served the sentence and released) and the evidence is destroyed

forensic engineering

the scientific examination and analysis of structures and products relating to their failure or cause of damage

What is forensic science?

the scientific study of evidence to discover the facts in a criminal or civil matter, or the science applied to solve crimes

forensic serology

the study of body fluids

forensic chemistry

the study of detection and identification of illicit drugs, accelerants used in arson cases, explosive and gunshot residue.

forensic dactyloscopy

the study of fingerprints

forensic toxicology

the study of the effect of drugs and poisons on/in the human body

forensic odontology

the study of the uniqueness of dentition, better known as the study of teeth.

The medical examiner collects evidence from the body unless _____. They also collect any foreign objects found during the autopsy (broken knife tips, balloons filled with drugs) and swabs of the hands in cases in which firearms are involved.

there is danger of losing the evidence before they can collect it

As a result of differences in polymers, what happens forensically?

they can be distinguished from one another

What do the bottom of radial loops point out toward?

thumb-side of the hand

What is opportunity?

time or availability to have committed the crime

How can fiber evidence in court cases be used?

to connect the suspect to the victim or to the crime scene

Why is it important to take detailed notes?

to have an accurate sketch to facilitate your recall of the work you have done, to remember that all you may be called to testify about this scene years later

Why do you secure the crime scene?

to keep others out, to prevent alteration and destruction

The search is the only way _____.

to prevent immediate loss of evidence (drugs are in danger of being flushed down the drain)

In order to obtain a search warrant from a judge, you must be able _____.

to show probable cause

What are visible prints?

touching a colored liquid, then leaving it on a surface

What are plastic prints?

touching a soft surface that will mold to your ridge characteristics

Orfila and Raspil

toxicology

What are the types of physical evidence?

transient evidence, pattern evidence, conditional evidence, transfer evidence, associative evidence

T/F If people have been injured or blood is found at the scene, you can search for injured parties in order to provide aid.

true

T/F You change the gloves between pieces of evidence.

true

True or False - A fingerprint is an individual characteristic.

true

True or False - Deltas can be used to determine if a print is a loop, whorl or arch.

true

True or False - It would take very unusual circumstances to be able to say that fibers had individual characteristics.

true

True or False - Most fabrics are either woven or knitted.

true

How many points do the FBI require?

twelve

What are fibers made of?

twisted filaments

How many deltas do whorls have?

two

Describe a central pocket loop whorl?

ulnar or radial loop with a spiral in the center

What must control samples of fibers be?

uncontaminated, large enough to do testing needed

The warp and weft yarns of plain weave pass _____ each other _____.

under, alternately

For satin weave, the yarn interlacing is not _____.

uniform

What is optical microscopy?

uses polarizing light and comparison microscopes

voluntary manslaughter

usually involves sudden passion (fear, rage, anger, terror)

What is the third value of fiber evidence?

value is dependent

What is cotton?

vegetable fiber; strong, tough, flexible, moisture absorbent, not shape retentive

Where do control samples of fibers come from?

victims and suspects' homes and vehicles

What is the difference between warp and weft?

warp - lengthwise yarn weft - crosswise yarn

What in chain of custody?

what testing was done to it

When in chain of custody?

when they had it

Where in chain of custody?

where was it stored

Who in chain of custody?

who had the evidence at all times

What is the Henry Number based on?

whorls and type of finger

The more movement, the more likely fibers _____ _____ _____.

will be transferred