SUPA Forensics Final Quizlet

State the principle of individuality and be able to discuss its relevance to forensic science

Even though two objects may be indistinguishable, they can never be exactly identical

Explain how evidence should be photographed at a crime scene. How should photos be taken?

Evidence at a crime scene should be photographed with a scale (ex: a ruler), and with perspective to the rest of the scene. A close up, medium and far shot should be taken of each piece of evidence.

Give one example of a way physical evidence may exclude or exonerate a person from suspicion.

If a person is a suspect in the crime, but someone else's fingerprints are found all on the murder weapon, the suspect can be excluded from suspicion.

Describe the process of comparison of substances at a crime laboratory. Describe how probability is involved in the comparison process.

1- Combinations of select properties are chosen from the suspect and the standard/reference sample for comparison 2- Scientist must draw a conclusion about the origins of the specimen Probability is used to define how likely 2 pieces of evidence come from the same source

chemical property

A chemical property may only be observed by changing the chemical identity of a substance. oxicity. oxidation. flammability. heat of combustion. enthalpy of formation. chemical stability under specific conditions. radioactivity.

What is finished sketch? Explain the difference between a finished sketch and a rough sketch.

A finished sketch includes all the elements of a rough sketch, but in an aesthetically pleasing manner that can be presented to a courtroom. It is usually drawn to scale. A rough sketch is not presented to the court, where a finished sketch is.

What is the "mobile crime laboratory"? What is the main function of such a laboratory?

A mobile crime laboratory is basically a truck that functions as a crime lab that can examine evidence. The main function of this is to process evidence faster for crimes such as homicides or drug related crimes.

physical change

A physical change in a substance doesn't change what the substance is. Changes in state or phase (melting, freezing, vaporization, condensation, sublimation) are physical changes. Examples of physical changes include crushing a can, melting an ice cube, and breaking a bottle.

physical property

A physical property is an aspect of matter that can be observed or measured without changing its chemical composition. Examples of physical properties include color, molecular weight and volume.

What is a rough sketch? What type of information is included on a rough sketch and where is it drawn?

A rough sketch includes correct measurements and dimensions, and includes items of physical evidence, as well as other important features of the crime scene. It also includes a compass showing north and a legend of items. Objects are measured from 2 fixed points.

What is the rate of temperature change to a body after death? What is the Glaister formula to calculate the time passed since death? When does body temperature stabilize after death? WHat is this process called?

After death the body goes through Algor mortis, it cools until it reaches room or ambient temperature. The Glaister formula to calculate time since death is that after about an hour after death, the body cools at a rate of 1-1.5 degrees per hour until the body reaches the environmental temperature. Formula: room temp- body temp/1.5

What type of packaging should always be used to collect evidence at the scene of a suspicious fire? Explain your answer.

Airtight containers should be used to prevent the evaporation of volatile petroleum residues.

Who developed the principles of document examination for forensic examination?

Albert S. Osborn

Name the process by which the body temperature cools after death.

Algor mortis. The body cools until it reaches room temperature

Who developed a system of personal identification using a series of body measurements?

Alphonse Bertillon

Define physical evidence.

An object that can connect a suspect with a crime scene, weapon to a wound, a computer message to a criminal act, or poison to a cause of death

What is physical evidence?

An object that can connect a suspect with a crime scene, weapon to a wound, a computer message to a criminal act, or poison to a cause of death

What is a mass spectrometer? What can it do in the crime lab?

Analyzes the molecular makeup of a substance. It can detect the smallest of traces left by a suspect

What is the system of personal identification via body measurements called?

Anthropometry, created by Alphonse Bertillon

The application of chemistry, physics and geology to the identification and comparison of crime scene evidence is the function of which unit of the crime lab?

Biology Unit

Have knowledge of the cases highlighted in the 4th amendment timeline activity and text excerpt

Boyd Vs. US: 2 brothers charged with illegally importing goods, judge required them to bring evidence that would convict them, appealed said it was self-incrimination Weeks Vs. US: convicted of using mail to transport lottery tix, evidence found was with a warrantless search, exclusionary rule- federal courts must exclude evidence obtained through unconstitutional searches Mapp Vs Ohio: bombing, Mapp wouldn't let officers in her house, came back with a piece of paper, which they said was a warrant, found incriminating photographs, was sent to prison for them

What is "Bracketing" and why is it useful when taking crime scene photos?

Bracketing is altering the exposure on pictures in order to see shadows and something maybe blocked by shadows. You can merge bracketed pictures in order to form HDR

Whose efforts led to firearms examination becoming a forensic specialty?

Calvin Goddard

Explain what is meant by "chain of custody" and explain in detail why maintaining it is important in criminal investigation.

Chain of custody is documenting who and at what time someone was in possession of a piece of evidence. It is important to maintain it because there should never be doubt of where evidence is at one time, or if it was altered.

What is the corroborative value of class evidence?

Class evidence can build up to incriminate a suspect. If the suspect has the same shoe size, and blood type as found at the crime scene, you can rule out other suspects and narrow your search.

What does the term "density" mean? Write the equation for finding the density of an object. What are the units used to describe density?

Density: a physical property of matter that is equivalent to the mass-per-unit volume of a substance. Density= m/V mass in grams, volume in milliliters

Name four instances when police officials can begin a warrantless search.

Emergency circumstances, to prevent immediate loss or destruction of evidence, consent of both parties involved, plain sight

What are some of the changes that can take place with evidence found at a crime scene that has been improperly packaged?

Evidence can deteriorate and the integrity can be risked, resulting in not being able to use it in court.

Explain how evidence should be marked once collected at a crime scene. Give specific examples in your answer.

Evidence should be dated, and signed for once collected. For example, if a shirt was brought to the crime lab, the time and signature of both parties involved should be marked.

What is meant by the term "individual" or "individualized" characteristics"?

Evidence that can be associated with a common source with an extremely high sense of certainty

What term describes fingerprints as "hidden"?

Latent Fingerprints

What does FBI stand for? When was the FBI founded and by whom?

Federal Bureau of Investigation, founded in 1932 by J. Edgar Hoover

Describe the case Tyler v. Michigan and the decision of the Supreme Court. How did it change the way we investigate and collect evidence?

Fire broke out in Tyler's furniture store, someone said to have seen containers of flammable liquid, after scene, officials looked around briefly, 5 hours later, they came back and did a full investigation but halted. Went back months later to complete investigation. Anything found months later was ruled not admissible, they could use plastic jugs and pieces of the carpet and photographs

What is the indispensable tool of the firearms examiner?

Firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, ammunition of all types, gertments

What is the most important prerequisite for photographing a crime scene?

For nothing to be altered

Name the forensic discipline that studies human skeletal remains for identification.

Forensic Anthropology

What is the forensic discipline that studies life cycles of insects and their relationship to criminal investigations?

Forensic Entomology

What specialty of forensics deals with the investigation/determining the cause of death?

Forensic Pathology

Name the forensic discipline that evaluates behavioral patterns and how they relate to crime.

Forensic Psychiatry

Which specialty of forensics deals with accident reconstruction, involvement of mechanical items and assists in determining responsible parties?

Forensic engineering

What is the study of dental features to identify a victim when the body is otherwise unidentifiable called?

Forensics odontology

Define forensic science. What is the job of a forensic scientist?

Forensics science is the application of science to civil and criminal laws. A forensics scientist uses material evidence found at a crime scene and tests it to find out things on the crime itself such as cause of death, suspects, DNA ect

Who provided proof of the uniqueness of fingerprints and apply this to crime scene analysis?

Francis Galton

Explain the Frye Standard and the Daubert ruling. How are they similar and how do they differ?

Frye Standard: Science testified in court must pass the frye standard, meaning it is science that is generally accepted by the scientific community Daubert Ruling: The judge is the gatekeeper, meaning they can decide what scientific evidence can be testified in their court

Have a general understanding of Frye, Daubert, Joiner, Kumho, Mendez-Dias cases and what precedents they set for expert testimony and evidence admissibility.

Frye: held that scientific evidence could be held in court. At many courts (mostly smaller, local) evidence must pass the "frye standard" meaning the scientific evidence is generally accepted science by most of the scientific field Daubert: the judge is the gatekeeper and can determine what scientific evidence can be used Joiner: required experts to limit their opinions in the case and share an unbiased truth Kumho: came to the ruling that there must be an experimental standard in the court. In this case, to test the tires, someone bought a bunch of tires and just "drove around" Mendez-Dias: analysis who ran the results must be present in court to testify the results

What is "crime scene reconstruction"? Who is involved in this process?

Gaining explicit knowledge of the events in a crime scene and as well as the observation and evaluation of physical evidence. All of the law professionals contribute to the reconstruction

Give specific examples of safety precautions that must be taken when collecting evidence at a crime scene.

Gloves must be worn, shoe covers, masks/face shields, biohazard bags should be used.

Who wrote a book describing how scientific disciplines can be incorporated with crime scene investigation leading to the concept of scientific crime detection?

Hans Gross

Describe the role of the mass production of products to the problems that come to assigning direct links from physical evidence to the crime scene and/or suspects.

If many people have the same product, differentiating them will be more difficult. These products now have more class characteristics

If videotaping is used to record a crime scene, what steps should be followed? Does recording a video of a crime scene replace photography? Does it replace a rough sketch? Explain the benefits of each.

If videotaping is used, a transcript of the tape must be put into a written document. Recording the crime scene does not replace photography or rough sketches. A rough sketch allows you to see the scene at an aerial view, and photography allows for different angles, and close shots to really focus on one piece of evidence.

chemical change

In a chemical change where there is a chemical reaction, a new substance is formed and energy is either given off or absorbed. Examples of chemical changes include combustion (burning), cooking an egg, rusting of an iron pan, and mixing hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide to make salt and water.

Explain the significance of the 4th amendment in collecting evidence at a crime scene.

It says evidence must be obtained legally, ie a warrant

What is the main role of class physical science evidence to a criminal investigation? How can it benefit a case even though it is not unique to one individual?? How is class evidence considered "corroborative evidence"?

It's ability to corroborate events with data in a manner that is as nearly possible free of human error or bias. Class evidence is useful because it provides for stronger case, when in multitudes. It is corroborative because it supports the other evidence in the case, including other class evidence to make the case stronger.

Who directed the formation of the first functional crime lab?

J. Edgar Hoover

Who devised the first workable procedure for typing dried blood stains?

Leone Lattes

The medical condition that occurs after death and results in the settling of blood in areas closest to the ground is called? How can this help determine if a body has been moved?

Liver mortis, it can help because the skin will not appear discolored if it was moved or something was pressed against it, where a normal body that hasn't been tampered with will appear dark blue/ purple.

Name at least four different containers that may be used in packaging evidence.

Manila envelopes, pill bottles, vials, pillboxes

Give 5 examples that are given in the text of "individual characteristics". Why is noting this characteristics in physical evidence important?

Matching ridges of 2 fingerprints, comparing random striations or marks on bullets, comparison of random and irregular tire or shoe impressions, comparison of handwriting characteristics, or putting together random pieces of a broken object like a puzzle. Because the probability of 2 items from different sources having the same origin, is very low. For example, there is an extremely low probability of 2 people having the same fingerprint. One out of 1x10^60.

Who is the "Father of Forensic Toxicology"?

Mathieu Orfila

Describe the case of Mincey v. Arizona and the decision of the Supreme Court. How did it change the way we investigate and collect evidence?

Mincy was convicted of murder, undercover agent was buying drugs, officers invaded the scene, undercover agent was shot, Mincy wounded, was brought to hospital, detectives stayed at the scene for 4 days opening drawers, ripping up carpet and seizing 200-300 pieces of evidence from the scene. Since it took 4 days, there were clearly no emergency circumstances. Was ruled not admissible, and an illegal search.

Describe what types of limits can be put on comparison of evidence like hair, fibers or soil.

No two things in the world are alike by every detail.

Explain the process of note taking at a crime scene. What types of info should be included in these notes?

Note taking is a detailed written description of the scene and location of physical evidence recorded. They must include all timestamps pieces of evidence were discovered, and by who. Also the means, time and who packaged these pieces of evidence.

What are some advantages of tape recording/Digitally recording notes at a crime scene?

Notes can be more detailed when recording, there will never be a debate in handwriting. Videotaping combines note taking and photography, which is advantageous.

Name the three primary methods of recording a crime scene.

Photography, sketching and recording (note taking)

Describe the role of physical evidence in crime-scene reconstruction. What other info is usually included in reconstructing a crime scene?

Physical evidence is the base of crime scene reconstruction. It can create leads and confirm the reconstruction of a crime to a jury. Statements made by witnesses are also involved.

What is the machine used for criminal investigations/interrogations to determine whether or not someone is telling the truth called?

Polygraph

What does PMI stand for?

Post mortem interval

What is meant by the term "class characteristics"? Describe one good example of a common type of evidence that can easily possess class characteristics and explain why this evidence falls into this category.

Properties of evidence that can be associated only with a group and never with a single source. Blood is an example because if 2 blood stains are found, and both are type A, that does not narrow down a common origin, however, if more factors of the blood are compared, a single source can be determined.

Describe in detail the steps that investigators take in completing a crime scene reconstruction. What specific person is often included in this process and why is this person important?

Protecting the scene is most important, and is done first. Next, an examination of the scene is performed. This is done by a walk through of the scene. Collection of evidence then begins. Often times a medical professional or criminalist is necessary. The victim is an important person in this process because they are the proof of the crime, and is a big piece of the puzzle.

What is a "standard/reference sample" and why is it important for investigators at a crime scene to collect them?

Reference samples are used as a comparison to other evidence at the scene. An example of a reference sample could be blood from the victim. This allows for comparison if there is blood found at the scene.

What is the scientific term for the "stiffness of death"? What is the timespan for onset and when does the "stiffness of death" begin to disappear? Where does the onset of stiffness begin in the body?

Rigor mortis. Immediately following death, the muscles relax and then become ridgid. Happens within the first 24 hours and disappears within 36 hours. Begins in the eyelids, neck and jaw.

What is a gas chromatography? What can it do in the forensics lab?

Separating a mixture to identify different parts of it. Can help determine who was at a crime scene, what was in a person's body when they died, what elements could have started a fire

Name and sketch the four main methods of search methods.

Spiral search method, grid method, strip or line search and quadrant or zone search

Describe the process of identifying a substance at a crime laboratory. Describe the role of the forensic scientist in this process.

Test evidence to figure out what it is, who it came from. They can run tests on a stain to determine if it's blood, then of an animal, or from whom

What does ATF stand for?

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Explosives

Whose primary responsibility is it to secure the scene of a crime?

The first responder

Define the term "comparison". Give 2 examples of substances that may be submitted to a crime lab for comparison purposes.

The process of ascertaining weather 2 or more objects have a common origin. Blood, paint chip off a car

Define the term "identification". Give 4 examples of substances that may be submitted to a crime lab for identification purposes.

The process of determining a substance's physical or chemical identity. semen, hair, blood, debris in fire

What does the "product rule"? How is it calculated? How is it used in determining the probability of the evidence in the population?

The product rule is the formula used to calculate frequency of occurrence. Multiply the frequency of each factor present

What are the two main health concerns of crime scene technicians?

The spread of disease such as AIDS or hepatitis b Environmental conditions Weapons- safety

Where can "standard/reference samples" be obtained? explain.

They can be obtained from the suspect and victim, such as hair, blood or buccal swabs

What is the issue with storing biological materials in an airtight container?

They can grow mold and mildew, risking the integrity of the evidence

What is the importance of packaging evidence separately?

To avoid cross contamination and damage through contact

Why is collecting physical evidence important?

To help figure out the timeline, or event that took place during a crime, or to determine who committed the crime

Explain what triangulation is, what fixed points are and their importance importance on a sketch.

Triangulation is drawing a piece of evidence into a sketch, but drawing it and measuring it in relation to 2 fixed points at the scene. A fixed point is something like a wall or a corner, that can not be moved. This is important because it allows to see and measure the relation of where a piece of evidence is in a crime scene.

Who was the first person to apply microscope techniques to crime scene investigation?

Walter Mccrone

Give at least 2 specific examples of good evidence collection techniques.

Wear gloves, always package evidence individually

State Locard's Exchange Principle. Be able to explain why it is the basis for all of forensic science.

When two objects come into contact, some material or information is explained between the two. Relates to Forensics because it says evidence is always left at a crime scene

What is the medical dissection and examination of a body called to determine the cause of death?

autopsy

Which unit of the crime lab dispatches trained personnel to the scene of a crime to retrieve evidence for laboratory examination?

evidence-collection unit

Once the crime scene is secured, explain the general steps a lead investigator follows in evaluating the area. Explain at least two reasons why recording the crime scene accurately is valuable to investigators?

examine/locate evidence, photograph evidence, sketch, process. Recording the scene is valuable to investigators because if the crime is re investigated in years, the notes can be reliable and refresh the memories of many.

The examination of bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition of all types is the responsibility of which unit of the crime lab?

firearms unit

What does "exonerate" mean?

freed from prison after being wrongfully convicted of a crime

The examination of blood, hairs, fibers and vegetative materials is the function of which unit of the crime lab?

physical science unit

What is the scientific term for "after death"?

post mortem

What are the first three things that should be done when securing a crime scene?

secure, evaluate and interview

Describe the range of different types of physical evidence. Give specific examples.

some evidence has DNA, that can be used to identify someone, like blood or hair or semen. Weapons can have fingerprints on them and they can help determine the crime and what happened.

What is probability?

the likelihood of something happening or being the case

The examination of body fluids and organs for drugs and poisons is a function of which unit of the crime lab?

toxicology unit

Name the seven different types of physical evidence that may be taken from a person at an autopsy.

victims clothing; fingernail scrapings; head and pubic hairs; blood for DNA typing; vaginal, anal, and oral swabs in sex related crimes; recovered bullets from the body; and hand swabs from shooting victims.