forensics midterm study guide

Trace evidence...

mall evidence that is often hard to find.

Officers have secured the crime scene by putting a rope around it. What should they do next? Search for evidence at the primary scene. Document the crime scene. Collect all physical evidence. Make sure the area is safe for everyone.

Document the crime scene

Who figured out a way to determine the type of blood from a dried bloodstain? Francis Galton Leone Lattes Mathieu Orfila His Duan Yu

Leone Lattes

What is the first step forensic scientists must do to analyze evidence? Compare the evidence against known samples provided by the suspect. Take measurements to identify the characteristics of the evidence. Make a sculpted design of the evidence using clay or plaster of Paris. Determine the probability of the evidence being linked to the suspect.

Take measurements to identify the characteristics of the evidence.

chain of custody...

a list of all persons who had possession of the evidence during the crime investigation. This is important because it lets law enforcement track access to the evidence.

What type of evidence should NOT be stored in an airtight container because it could cause damage? a piece of glass a bullet casing charred evidence from a fire bloodstained evidence

bloodstained evidence

Radial fractures...

extend outward from the point of impact, almost like spokes on a wheel.

Whorl fingerprints...

circular in shape with two deltas

Forensic odontologists might be involved in which of the following circumstances? A femur bone is found in a field. A victim has a bite on his arm. A profile of a suspect is needed. Beetles are collected from a decomposed body.

A victim has a bite on his arm.

sir edward henry's system led to the creation of...

AFIS

What area specializes in the identification and examination of skeletal remains? Forensic Odontology Forensic Pathology Forensic Entomology Forensic Anthropology

Forensic Anthropology

Which sub-field of forensics uses social science to investigate crimes? Forensic anthropology Forensic sociology Forensic pathology Forensic odontology

Forensic sociology

Bruno is making a mold of an impression of tire tracks at a crime scene. What should he do to MOST accurately and efficiently create this mold? He should let it cure no longer than three hours. He should use plaster of Paris. He should remove the soil from around it. He should build a frame around it.

He should build a frame around it.

When investigating a crime scene, Grant finds some evidence that could possibly be blood. What should he do? He should leave it alone because it could be dangerous. He should wear latex gloves when he collects it. He should pour water on it to see if it rinses away. He should call a forensic pathologist to help him.

He should wear latex gloves when he collects it.

passive...

Pools and drips of blood from a dead body are passive stains and develop because of gravity.

Impact...

Impact stains happen when the blood is projected through the air, as with a gunshot or blow.

Leslie is a forensic scientist who is using the precipitin test at a crime scene. What question is Leslie MOST likely trying to answer? Is this human or animal blood? Is this substance blood? Is this type A, B, or O blood? How long has this blood been here?

Is this human or animal blood?

What is TRUE about the precipitin test? It determines if blood is type A, B, or O. It uses hydrogen peroxide to make a chemical reaction. It requires a very small amount of blood. It can only be used on blood that is still wet.

It requires a very small amount of blood.

Sofia is doing a presentation on the history of blood analysis. Who is she MOST likely to mention in her presentation? Karl Landsteiner Sir Edward Henry Cora Crippen Trenton Luminol

Karl Landsteiner

Rosa is offering a course on how to properly work a crime scene. She is putting her slides in the accurate order of priority. How should she MOST accurately order her presentation slides? Make the scene safe. Secure the scene. Document the scene. Collect evidence. Make the scene safe. Document the scene. Collect evidence. Secure the scene. Secure the scene. Make the scene safe. Document the scene. Collect evidence. Secure the scene. Collect evidence. Make the scene safe. Document the scene.

Make the scene safe. Secure the scene. Document the scene. Collect evidence.

Who is known as the father of toxicology? William Peters Sherlock Holmes Mathieu Orfila Hsi Duan Yu

Mathieu Orfila

Biological Evidence...

Samples of bodily fluids, such as blood, can be located by sight, smell, or touch. Swabs or gauze can be used to obtain a wet sample. Dried blood can be obtained by scraping

Sofia is a medical examiner who is performing an autopsy on a murder victim. What will this process MOST likely involve? She will look for trace evidence present on the body. She will donate the victim's organs. She will prepare the victim's body for burial. She will cremate the body.

She will look for trace evidence present on the body.

In a murder case, the prosecutor shows a photo to demonstrate the position of the body in relation to the rest of the crime scene. What type of photograph was MOST likely shown? an overview photograph an intermediate photograph a close-up photograph a personal photograph

an intermediate photograph

Damian is examining fingerprints that have ridge lines that start on one side and exit on the other side of the print. What type of fingerprints is Damian examining? arch plastic loop whirl

arch

Intermediate photographs...

are closer to the evidence but still show the area surrounding it. These photos show the evidence in relation to other objects in the room. If a body is present at the crime scene, intermediate photographs can show the position of the body in relation to the rest of the crime scene.

A car windshield was shot with a bullet just seconds before the investigator arrives. How does the investigator MOST likely know this happened? There is glass everywhere surrounding the car. The entire windshield is missing from the car. There are concentric fractures but no radial fractures. There are radial fractures and a few concentric fractures.

There are radial fractures and a few concentric fractures.

Marcus is testing a hair sample from the telogen stage. What is likely to be TRUE about this sample? There will be several medullas present. There will be mitochondrial DNA present. There will be nuclear DNA present. There will be very little DNA present.

There will be very little DNA present.

What is TRUE about individual characteristics of evidence? They are usually not used in criminal cases because they are too vague. They are properties that can be associated with a group, but not a single source. They are properties associated with a common source to a high degree of certainty. They are more commonly found in real life than on fictional crime shows on television.

They are properties associated with a common source to a high degree of certainty.

Why are class characteristics important in a criminal trial? They directly link a suspect to a crime with a high amount of certainty. They are not left open to subjective interpretation by jury members. They are used to identify physical and chemical properties of other evidence. They help to corroborate the specific events and aspects of the crime.

They help to corroborate the specific events and aspects of the crime.

Mateo was the first responder at a crime scene. He ensured that the scene was safe. Other officers arrived. What should Mateo and the officers do next? They must secure the crime scene. Nothing; they need to wait for others to arrive. They should take photos from all angles. They are required to collect evidence.

They must secure the crime scene.

The scientists could show that the paint at the crime scene was from a 1992 Chevy. The specific chip of paint that was recovered also matched the chip of paint that was taken from the suspect's car. What is TRUE about this evidence? They were unable to find class nor individual characteristics. They were only able to find class characteristics. They were able to find both class and individual characteristics. They were only able to find individual characteristics.

They were able to find both class and individual characteristics.

The investigators were able to determine that the footprints were made by a Nike, size 10 tennis shoe; however, they couldn't match it exactly to the suspect's shoe. What is TRUE about this piece of evidence? They were unable to find class nor individual characteristics. They were only able to find class characteristics. They were only able to find individual characteristics. They were able to find both class and individual characteristics.

They were only able to find class characteristics.

During the trial, the lawyers used a model recreation of the crime scene to best illustrate what happened. How would this evidence MOST accurately be classified? This is documentary evidence. This is trace evidence. This is physical evidence. This is testimonial evidence.

This is documentary evidence.

Kastle-Meyer color test...

This test mixes a sample of the dried substance with the chemical phenolphthalein and hydrogen peroxide. If the substance is blood, the blood's hemoglobin (a protein that transports oxygen and gives blood its red coloring) will turn a deep pink. The test does not exclusively test for blood;

At the crime scene, the investigator sees a bloody knife on the floor of the kitchen. What is the BEST type of photograph for the investigator to use to document this evidence? an overview photograph an intermediate photograph a close-up photograph a personal photograph

a close-up photograph

When documenting the crime scene, Detective Diaz places a ruler next to a piece of broken glass and takes a photograph. What type of photograph did the detective MOST likely take? an overview photograph an intermediate photograph a personal photograph a close-up photograph

a close-up photograph

luminol test...

a luminol reagent is sprayed on surfaces or stains to see if blood is present. If it is, the bloodstain will emit light or luminescence. To be useful, the objects or surfaces sprayed need to be in a darkened area so that the light produced will show up clearly.

Sergeant Jeffers likes to use a photo array when he is conducting an investigation. Because of this, what is he MOST likely to do in his current case? He uses a 35mm camera, a digital camera, and a video camera at the scene. He takes photos of every piece of evidence before it is sent to the lab. He has a sketch artist draw the subject based on descriptions. He asks eyewitnesses to pick out the subject from many options.

e asks eyewitnesses to pick out the subject from many options.

When storing a gun as evidence, it is best to store it in a plastic bag. True or False

false

Impression Evidence...

fingerprints, shoe prints, and tire tracks

Forensic entomologists study what to help solve crimes? Teeth Bones Flies Chemicals

flies

Forensic psychiatry...

focuses on the relationship between human behavior and criminal justice. During the course of a court case, issues of competence (whether someone is mentally competent to stand trial or be executed) and mental illness can play a role.

precipitin test...

is used to distinguish between animal and human blood. The test involves an antiserum that interacts with the blood. Human blood will interact with the serum to form a cloudy ring between the blood and the serum. The precipitin test requires a very small amount of blood

What are the MOST common type of fingerprints? arch plastic loop whirl

loop

Close-up photographs...

may focus on an injury, a weapon, or a piece of evidence. Investigators take close-up photos to record specific details that may not be picked up by photographs taken from longer ranges

Forensic odontology...

provides insight into the identification of individuals through their teeth. In some cases, investigators may only have the skeletal remains, including teeth, of a body

Rough sketches...

show the location of evidence, accurate distances between pieces of evidence, and the dimensions of the crime scene. Rough sketches also contain measurements so later drawings can be drawn to scale. They should contain information such as the case identifier, date, time, a key to identify the objects in the sketch, orientation of the scene, and other relevant information like weather or lighting. Distance in the sketches are recorded from two set points in the scene, such as walls.

Forensic anthropology...

specializes in the identification and examination of skeletal remains. Forensic anthropologists may also be called on to help identify victims of disasters like fires, explosions, and plane crashes, where bodies may be burned or mutilated in some way. Forensic anthropologists determine whether skeletal remains are from a long-ago burial that has been unearthed, or from a more recent death that may require investigation.

Marisa's rough sketch of a crime scene is going to be used in a court case. What will her rough sketch MOST likely include? a precise representation of the scene a drawing of each piece of evidence the description of the weapons involved the dimensions of the crime scene

the dimensions of the crime scene

Deven is accused of killing his wife. The police found that she was poisoned. Traditionally, why would a murderer choose poison as his weapon? to make it appear to be a suicide to cause no suffering for the victim to ensure there is zero evidence of a crime to make the death look like natural causes

to make the death look like natural causes

Terrance found a small hair on the victim's shirt. What type of evidence does this BEST represent? trace evidence biological evidence ammunitions evidence impression evidence

trace evidence

Christopher is a suspect who left his bloody fingerprints on the steering wheel of his car. How would a forensic scientist BEST categorize these blood stains? transfer impact circular passive

transfer

Charred evidence from a fire should be stored in an airtight container. true or false

true

Forensic entomology...

uses the study of insects to help criminal investigations. Forensic entomologists often help determine the time of death, especially when the circumstances of death are unknown. They do this using insect evidence.

Karl Landsteiner...

His work led to the creation of the A-B-O system

Erica tells her partner that she found plastic prints at the crime scene. What did Erica MOST likely find? a plastic toy with fingerprints a bar of soap with fingerprints fingerprints made with paint fingerprints made of blood

a bar of soap with fingerprints

Reflected Ultraviolet Imaging System (RUVIS)...

aims UV light at areas where fingerprints may be.

Isabelle found shell casings at the secondary crime scene. What type of evidence does this BEST represent? trace evidence biological evidence ammunitions evidence impression evidence

ammunitions evidence

Calvin Goddard...

discovered how to use a comparison microscope to improve this technique to better match bullets

Leone Lattes...

figured out a way to determine the type of blood from a dried bloodstain, and began applying the new test to criminal investigations.

What is a science that deals with disease? Psychiatry Philosophy Pathology Physics

pathology

Loop fingerprints...

ridge lines that enter on one side, loop around, and exit on the same side. About 60 to 65 percent of the population has loop fingerprints.

Firearms and Ammunition...

shell casings, bullet holes, or the firearm itself

Overview photographs...

show the crime scene in wide angles. These photos are taken from different vantage points to show entries and exits to and from the crime scene.

Arch fingerprints...

start on one side and exit on the other side of the print.

What is the most common reason for evidence to be excluded from trial the First Amendment the Second Amendment the Third Amendment the Fourth Amendment

the Fourth Amendment

Hemastix strip...

when moistened with distilled water and placed into contact with the stain, will turn green in the presence of blood.

plastic prints...

which are prints created when the finger touches a soft material like soap or putty.

Huda is examining fingerprints that have ridge patterns that are circular in shape with two deltas. What type of fingerprints is Huda examining? arch plastic loop whirl

whirl

A lawyer is presenting a hair sample with its corresponding nuclear DNA that was found at the crime scene. How will this MOST likely affect the criminal case? The evidence will have a low probability of providing accurate matching results. The evidence will need to be looked at under a microscope to be admitted. The evidence will not be admissible in a court case. The evidence will provide a nearly exact match to the suspect's hair.

The evidence will provide a nearly exact match to the suspect's hair.

An attorney is presenting a hair sample with its corresponding mitochondrial DNA that was found at the crime scene. How will this MOST likely affect the criminal case? The evidence will need to be looked at under a microscope to be admitted. The evidence will not be admissible in a court case. The evidence will show the suspect could not have committed the crime. The evidence will provide an exact match to the suspect's hair.

The evidence will show the suspect could not have committed the crime.

During a criminal case, the detective tells his team that there is a problem with the chain of custody. What does this MOST likely mean? The jury will now wonder if the evidence is valid. The final sketch has the wrong dimensions. The judge did not grant a proper search warrant. The expert witness lied when they were under oath.

The jury will now wonder if the evidence is valid.

Sabrina is a forensic scientist who is using a Hemastix strip at a crime scene. When Sabrina tests a substance using the strip, it turns green. What can Sabrina MOST likely conclude based on this reaction? The substance is horseradish. The substance is blood. The substance is not blood. The substance is distilled water.

The substance is blood.

Sir Edward Henry...

created a mathematical way to classify fingerprints. He numbered each finger 1-10, from the right thumb to the left little finger. Then, he assigned a numerical value to each finger based on whether a whorl was present. He used these values to create a ratio. That ratio served as a mathematical representation of the individual's unique fingerprint makeup.

Forensic sociology...

criminology, is the application of social science to criminal investigations. Forensic sociologists study social factors that influence crime. They may assist police investigators in understanding different types of communities and how people interact with each other.

What physical property can help characterize fragments of glass at a crime scene? flammability toxicity density volume

density

The investigator has found a short strand of hair at the crime scene. What is the first thing the investigator should do? Determine if it is human or animal hair. Put the hair in a small plastic bag. Make a sketch of the hair in a notepad. Build a small frame around the area.

Determine if it is human or animal hair.

Why is Karl Landsteiner MOST likely to be known by forensic scientists? He created luminol. He discovered the A-B-O system. He created AFIS. He discovered DNA testing.

He discovered the A-B-O system.

Martin works in a crime lab, and his job is to create the finished sketches of each crime scene. What does his job MOST likely entail? He uses computer programs to create a detailed representation of the scene. He takes video of every crime scene and turns the video into a drawing. He takes a rough sketch and uses his own artistic skill to draw it more clearly. He interviews witnesses to make sketches of possible suspects in a crime.

He uses computer programs to create a detailed representation of the scene.

Jorge is using AFIS to help solve a crime. What will this task MOST likely include? He will sort through books of fingerprints for hours. He will use a computer to find fingerprint matches quickly. He will solve many mathematical ratios to compare fingerprints. He will use a microscope to identify matching points on prints.

He will use a computer to find fingerprint matches quickly

Sarah is teaching her new partner how to take notes at a crime scene. What is the MOST accurate advice she should offer her partner about note-taking? Leave out unimportant details like how the evidence was discovered. Include a description of the crime scene and the location of pieces of evidence. There's no need to write about evidence that has been photographed already. Your notes are turned over to detectives, and you can never see them again.

Include a description of the crime scene and the location of pieces of evidence.

Jonathan is a forensic scientist who is using the Kastle-Meyer color test at a crime scene. What question is Jonathan MOST likely trying to answer? Is this substance blood? Is this human or animal blood? Is this type A, B, or O blood? How long has this blood been here?

Is this substance blood?

What is TRUE about luminol? It will turn pink in the presence of blood. It must be diluted with water to work. It cannot be used on blood that has been diluted. It doesn't affect the DNA of a substance.

It doesn't affect the DNA of a substance

. What is TRUE about the use of drawings at a crime scene? Drawings are no longer used because photography is more precise. Only when a camera is not immediately available should a sketch be made. It is common practice for investigators to make a sketch of a crime scene. Investigators are trained in how to make a quality finished sketch of a scene.

It is common practice for investigators to make a sketch of a crime scene.

What is TRUE about documenting a crime scene? It usually doesn't take very much time. It is done using photographs instead of drawings. It records the overall condition of the scene. It interrupts the chain of custody of the evidence.

It records the overall condition of the scene.

Francis Galton...

studied fingerprints and developed a methodology for their classification. In a book published in 1892, Galton showed the uniqueness of fingerprints and how they could be used for identification.

Raoul is researching the history of fingerprint identification. Who is he MOST likely to discover in his research? Sir Edward Henry Karl Landsteiner Cora Crippen Trenton Luminol

Sir Edward Henry

Detective Sanders knows the hole in the windshield was caused by a bullet being shot from inside the car. How is he MOST likely to make this conclusion? The bullet hole is wider on the outside of the windshield. The bullet hole is wider on the inside of the windshield. The bullet hole made radial fractures and a few concentric fractures. There is glass everywhere surrounding the car.

The bullet hole is wider on the outside of the windshield.

Transfer...

Transfer stains occur when an object comes into contact with the blood and transfers it onto another surface (think of bloody footprints or fingerprints).

Forensic toxicologist John Trestrail thought there was something curious about the Crippen case. He decided to further investigate. What was MOST likely his most pressing question about the case? Why use poison then dismember the body? Why would a husband kill his loving wife? What happened to Crippen's secretary? Did Dr. Crippen have a motive to kill Cora?

Why use poison then dismember the body?

finished sketch...

are created using aids like computer programs and drafting tools. A computer professional may create the finished sketch using information from rough sketches as well as other records. The finished sketches are drawn to scale, showing the precise distances between objects in the room and their relationships in space.

Concentric fractures...

are fractures that form a circle around the point of impact.

Individual characteristics...

are properties associated with a common source to a high degree of certainty. For example, ridge characteristics in two fingerprint samples would be considered individual characteristics.

Ridge characteristics or minutiae...

are the ridge endings, enclosures, and other details that make up a fingerprint

Latent fingerprints...

are those made by the oil and perspiration that is deposited on the surface. These fingerprints are invisible to the naked eye.

Trevor was able to collect what appeared to be blood and sweat from a kitchen counter. What type of evidence does this BEST represent? trace evidence biological evidence ammunitions evidence impression evidence

biological evidence

Class characteristics...

can be associated with a group, but not a single source. Evidence may have both class characteristics and individual characteristics.

Sarah has collected fingerprints at the crime scene. She also has the suspect's fingerprints on file. She looks at both sets of fingerprints to see if they match. What is this process known as? probability testimony identification comparison

comparison

DNA analysis can always create an individualized result that links a hair to a particular person. true or false

false

If a substance from a Kastle-Meyer test turns pink, the substance is definitely blood. true or false

false

Edmond Locard...

he brought up The issue of cross-contamination, and Locard's Exchange Principle states that there is an exchange of materials when two objects come into contact with each other.

April investigated a crime scene where a gunshot sent blood through the air and it splattered on the wall. How would a forensic scientist BEST categorize this blood stain? transfer impact circular passive

impact

Mathieu Orfila...

in 1814, published work on poisons and how they affect animals. This was the first recorded instance of forensic toxicology, and Orfila is known as the father of toxicology.

Pathology...

is a science that deals with disease. Pathologists perform autopsies to study tissues and other parts of the human body for diseases and abnormalities. forensic pathology is the study of sudden, unexplained, or violent deaths. The scientists in this field may work as medical examiners or coroners

At a crime scene, Vanessa spots blood that has pooled around the victim's head. How would a forensic scientist BEST categorize this blood stain? transfer impact circular passive

passive

digital forensics...

recover and investigate evidence found on devices like laptops and smartphones

The local police department just bought a Reflected Ultraviolet Imaging System (RUVIS) device. What is MOST likely the purpose of this purchase? to test DNA from blood in their lab to individualize hair samples to determine if blood is human or animal to find and process more fingerprints

to find and process more fingerprints

A Chinese book has the first written record of medical knowledge to solving crime in a description of how to distinguish between strangulation and drowning. true or false?

true

Rough sketches of a crime scene contain information such as the orientation of the scene, the weather, and the lighting. true or false

true

Professor Nicholson is looking for the presence of a medulla. What is he MOST likely trying to determine? how long the victim has been dead whether a hair is from an animal or a human if the bloodstain is consistent with the bullet trajectory where the blood evidence should be sent

whether a hair is from an animal or a human