Forensic 201: Final Exam Study Guide
Becke Line
A method utilized to determine the refractive index of materials, such as glass.
Takayama Test
A microcrystal test for blood
Teichmann Test
A microcrystal test for blood
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
A microscope that allows samples to be viewed at much greater magnification and resolution than is possible by light microscope. Magnification is possible in the range of 10 to 100,000x.
Misdemeanor
A minor crime, less than a felony, usually punished with a fine or confinement other than in a prison
Polypharmacy
A mixture
Triple-base smokeless powder
A propellant in which the energetic ingredients are nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and nitroguanidine.
Normal Hand Forgery
A type of forgery in the individual does not attempt to copy the victim's signature or writing but rather uses his or her own handwriting style.
Lacquer
A type of paint in which film forms by simple evaporation of the solvent system of the liquid.
Crystal Tests
A type of presumptive test in test in which a positive results is the formationation of solid crystalline substance.
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
A type of projective test in which a person is shown a number of pictures depicting various everyday situations and is asked to create a story based on the picture; in the process, it is assumed, he will reveal his wishes, thoughts, conflicts, feelings, and motives.
Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer (EDS)
A type of spectrometry used in combination with scanning electron microscopy that assists in indentification of chemical elements.
Multiserial Ladders
A type of structure found in the medulla of hair.
Apocrine gland
A type of sweat gland.
Eccrine gland
A type of sweat gland.
Raman Spectroscopy
A type of vibrational molecular spectroscopy.
What are the five classes of serum proteins?
Albumin. Albumin proteins keep the blood from leaking out of blood vessels. Alpha-1 globulin. Alpha-2 globulin. Beta globulin. Gamma globulin.
Firing pin impressions
An impression made on a primer by a firing pin.
False Negative
An incorrect result on a test in which the test should have been negative but gave a positive result.
False Positive
An incorrect result on a test in which the test should have been positive but gave a negative result.
High explosives
An explosive that is generally stable and that is detonated by a primary explosive. A high explosive detonates rapidly as compared to low explosives.
VIN (vehicle identification number)
An identification number that describes the vehicle type, the factory where it was made, and the year and week it wasa built. It is a unique identifier.
Dental Stone
Gypsum product, similar of plaster of Paris. Its hardness and durability make it a superior product for casting footwear or tire impressions.
Kary Mullis
Inventor of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and Nobel Prize winner.
Profiling
Investigative analysis of an unsolved crime of violence; may cover victimology, crime reconstruction, significant facts of the autopsy, characteristics and traits of the offender, post-offense behavior, and investigative suggestions.
Projective tests
Psychological test based on the notion that if an individual is shown an ambiguous stimulus and asked to respond, his responses will reveal aspects of his personality, including inner thoughts, wishes, conflicts, and feelings.
NIBIN
National Integrated Ballistics Information Network
Which causes of traumatic death may be produced by asphyxia?
Natural, homicidal, and/or accidental
Proximal End
Nearest the center or point of attachment. In hair morphology, the root is the proximal end.
_____, _____, and _____ have been used to make casts of tool marks
Negative moulage, low-melting metal allows, and silicone rubber
Can you determine sex and age of the writer from his or her handwriting?
No hand writing does not have an appearance of being feminine or masculine
Amorphous
No organized molecular structure.
Extruded powder
Smokeless powder manufactured by extrusion of nitrocellulose dough through a perforated steel plate. A sharp knife rotating against the plate cuts specified lengths of extruded dough.
Vitreous Humor
Ocular fluid (fluid within the eye) that is often utilized as a sample for testing in postmortem toxicology.
Disorganized offenders
Offender that commits crime impulsively with little or no planning. The perpetrator's lack of control over his victim and himself is apparent from the evidence (messy and chaotic)
Examination-Quality Photography
Photographs taken by a camera held directly over evidence, such as a shoe or tire impression, that will be during a detailed examination of that evidence.
What is the basic process used for photographing crime scenes? Discuss each step
Photography is done immediately after videography or after the preliminary survey. Every photo that is taken must be recorded in a photo log of the time taken, camera settings used, and indication of distance to subject, the type of photo and description of the image
______ reagent is used for visualization of powder patterns fired with ammunition containing lead-free primers
Sodium rhodizonate
Pigments
Solid materials that impart color.
State if a partial footwear impression can be examined and identified. Explain.
Some partial impressions represent only a small percentage of the shoe sole that created it but regardless all impressions can potentially contain sufficient detail for a meaningful examination result.
Can a document examiner identify all types of writing?
Sometimes it could be difficult to identify certain ways of writing due to sloppiness or the way it is written or if they have nothing to compare it to
Bullet wipe
Soot, lubricant, or other material wiped from the surface of a bullet onto skin or other surfaces penetrated by the bullet.
Amplicons
Product of amplification of DNA or RNA
Forensic Archaeology
Profession that utilizes the knowledge and skills archaelology to address forensic problems
Forensic Anthropology
Profession that utilizes the knowledge and skills of anthropology, particularly physical/biological anthropology archaeology, to address forensic problems.
Smokeless powders
Propellant composed of nitrocellulose (single-base powders) or nitrocellulose plus nitroglycerin (double-base powders). Smokeless powders contain additives that increase shelf life and enhance performance. They are made in a variety of shapes (rods, perforated rods, spheres, disks, perforated disks, and flakes).
Azoospermia
Semen that does not contain sperm cells
Soft-point bullets
Semi-jacketed bullets in which a soft metal plug is inserted into the nose of the bullet.
Ball powder
Smokeless powder manufactured by extruding nitrocellulose lacquer into hot water.
Vibrational Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy involving radiation that causes molecules to vibrate but does not cause bonds to break; infarted and Raman spectroscopy.
Rifling
System of spiral lands and grooves cut into the interior of a gun barrel. Imparts rotation to fired bullets, improving their accuracy
Genetic Marker Systems
Systems in the body that are directed by heredity and thus can be used forensically. Ex: ABO blood group system
Mass Spectrometry
Technique based on the detection of vaporized molecules and their ionized (charged) fragments. The detection and display of the spectra are based on the mass-to-charge ratios of the ions. The method is specific for qualitative analysis and useful for quantitative analysis.
Public Symphysis
The part of the pelvis where the two pubic bones join in the front and center of the body. It is connected by cartilage and often used to assess adult age.
Directionality
The path of travel of a blood drop indicated by the stain's shape
Pharmacokinetics
The study of how a drug or toxin moves through the body; related to ADME
Toxicokinetics
The study of how a drug or toxin oves through the body; related to ADME
Pharmacogenomics
The study of how genetic factors influence toxicology and drug effectiveness
Toxicogenomics
The study of how genetic factors influence toxicology and drug effectiveness
Thin-Layer chromatography (TLC)
The use of a solvent that travels through a porous medium to separate compounds based on their chemical affinity with the solvent and the medium.
Photogrammetry
The use of digital images or photographs to determine characteristics and dimmensions of objects in the images.
Accident reconstructions
The use of evidence to reconstruct the events involved in an accident.
Hooke's law
Within certain limits, the deformation of a material is directly proportional to the applied force causing the deformation.
What is a photocopy trash mark and how does it occur?
they are made by dirt marks, scratchesm and other extraneous marks on the surfaces of the drum, cover, glass plate, or camera lens of the photocopy machine
Explain the meaning of the term "class characteristics" in relation to handwriting.
they are writing attributes observed in a group of writers that are probably derived from a penmanship system they learned
When is a library search considered a confirmation and why?
they are considered when they are needed as screening tools, not as a reference for confirmation
Anorexic
Appetite suppressant
Retouching
Going back over a written line to correct a defect or improve its appearance
Medical Examiner
Government official, always a physician and often a forensic pathologist, charged with investigating sudden and unexpected deaths or deaths from injuries.
The ring of bullet lubricant, gunpowder combustion products and metal from the bullet surface surrounding a gunshot wound is called ______.
Gray ring
Objective Lens (OBJ)
In a microscop, the lens above the sample.
Eyepiece Lens (EP)
In a microscope, the lens next to the eye.
Hammer
In a weapon, the metal that is pulled back to cock it and prepare for firing.
Standards
provide uniformity and reliability in the collection, analysis, storage, and retrieval of forensic evidence.
Wavelength
The crest-to-crest distance in waves of electromagnetic energy.
Third Instar
The third stage of maggot growth
Comparision Microscopes
Two microscopes linked bt an optical bridge so the observer can simultaneously view two independent images in one field each from a separate objective.\
Crime Scene Map
Using techniques associated with surveying to obtain data that can be used to generate a three-dimensional rendering and record of the scene
Refractive Index (RI)
Velocity of light (c) in a vacuum divided by the velocity of light in the medium of interest (cvac/cmed).
Indented Writing
Writing on a page that is captured on the second sheet of paper below the one that contains the orginal writing.
An anlyst conducted a phenolphthalein test on a stain he thought looked like blood. He observed a postive test immediately after add phenolphthalein reagent. He concluded that blood was, in fact, present. Was he correct?
Yes
Name three methods for drug screening and describe the advantages and disadvantages of each.
immunoassays thin-layer chromatography gas chromatography liquid chromatography
Testing tools
(1) Thematic apperception test (2) Personality interviews (3) Intellectual and cognitive evaluation (4) Conclusions about questions
How long might seminal fluid constituents be detectable after deposition (a) inside the vagina, (b) in dried form, and (c) on fabric after laundering or dry cleaning?
(a) 2-3 days (b) 3 days (c) 7 days
What does the term "OE" tires mean, and what are "replacement tires"?
-they are tires that are sold as equipment on new vehicles. OE tires of the same size and brand are used on thousands of the same make and model vehicle. -Replacement tires are those purchased to replace worn or damaged tires, often the same design as the OE equipment
Exemplar
1) Example or representative item usually in undamaged or less damage condition to which a damaged item can be compared 2) Writing is produced upon request
What are the basic steps of scientific crime scene investigation?
1. A walk through occurs 2. Approach the scene 3. Secure the scene 4. Preliminary survey 5. evaluate any physical evidence possibilities 6. Narrative 7. Photos 8. Sketches 9. Detailed search 10. Record and collect physical evidence 11. Final survey
Drip pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from a liquid that dripped into another liquid, at least one of which was blood.
Splash Pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from a volume of liquid blood that falls or spills onto a surface.
impact pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from an object striking liquid blood.
castoff pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from blood drops released from a bloodied object in motion
Cessation Cast-off Pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from blood drops released from a bloody object as it suddenly stops
Crime consists of two parts
Actus reus and mens rea
Patching
Addition of a written stroke to improve a defect in a written line.
Stabilizers
Additive to smokeless powder that reacts with acidic breakdown products of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. Diphenylamine and ethyl centralite are common stabilizers.
Opacifiers
Additives to propellants that prevent radiant energy from penetrating the surface of the powder grains (and initiating burning within the grains).
Overkill
Administering more trauma than necessary to end a life; overkill indicates personalized anger and suggests the offender knew the victim
What features differentiate lacerations from cuts or incised wounds?
Blunt objects produce lacerations and sharp objects produce incised wounds
Diaphysis
Bone growth center that forms the shaft of a long bone.
Conchodial Lines
Edge characteristics of glass fractures. They are stress marks shaped like arches that are perpendicular to one glass surface and curved nearly parallel to the opposite surface. The perpendicular surface faces the side where the crack originated.
Material fatigue
Failure caused by repeated application of dynamic loads
Agenesis
Failure of a tooth to form
Individual Characteristics
Features that is unique to a specific item; information in a specific context about some aspect of a crime scene
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Federal agency responsible for setting, approving, and maintaining measurements and materials standards in the United States (formerly National Bureau of Standards)
Daubert Trilogy
Three cases in the 1990's that are used by federal and other courts to determine the admissibility of scientific evidence
The jurisdiction of the coroner or medical examiner to investigating a death generally can be categorized as including deaths of what type?
Unexpected, non natural, and sudden death
Green Tire
Unfinished tire that has all its components but has not yet been molded. It has no tread or sidewall design.
Manual Strangulation
Use of the hands in strangulation
A 210-pound male connsumes three highballs each of which was made with 2 ounces of 80-proof whiskey. What is the expected peak in his blood alcohol concentration?
c= D/[VxW] c=80/[2x210] [80/420]x3 1.2 BAC level
Is M.O. the same as signature?
No
What the two types of perspectives used in sketches?
Overhead (birds eye) or an elevation or side-view sketch
List and describe the definitions or classifications of crime scene
Primary crime scene is the original or first site of criminal activity and secondary crime scene is any subsequent crime scenes
Marsh Test
a highly sensitive method in the detection of arsenic
How are gunshot woulds of entrance classified?
A penetrating gunshot wound, which goes through and a perforating gunshot wound, which enters but does not go through
Defendant
A person accused of committing a crime in criminal prosecution or a person against whom some type of civil relief is being sought in a civil case
Mikrosil
A substance that has the consistency of putty and that is used capture impressions.
target
A surface upon which blood has been deposited.
Bertillonage
A system for the identification of criminals making use of anthropometric measurements, also another word for "anthropometry"
Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV)
A system of cameras installed primarily for surveillance purposes
Ultrasonic cavitation
A technique used in serial number restoration.
Cannabinoids
A term applied to marijuana and parts of the plant Cannabis Sativa in which tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active agent.
Opiates
A term for the class of narcotic drugs derived from the opium plant, including morphine and codeine. Heroin is produced from morphine.
Presumptive Testing
A test that can identify a TYPE of substance but not where/who it came from
Lattes Crust Test
A test used in forensic serology to determine the ABO blood typre of a stain
Confirmatory Test
A test used to confirm the results of the preliminary analysis or presumptive tests.
Hematoma
A tumor of blood caused by leakage from damaged blood vessels; it contains enough blood to form a blood-filled space
What caused the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to Collapse?
Aeroelastic flutter. Essentially there was no way for wind to pass through the bridge and it created a vortex of wind. which lead to it "galloping".
Which drug of abuse is most often encountered in the practice of forensic pathology?
Alcohol
Slant
Angle of writing with respect to a baseline
DUI
Driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance
Stimulants
Drug that produces temporary increase of functional activity or efficiency
Acid Phosphatases
Enzyme group that catalyzes the hydrolysis of certain organic phosphates.
How could one increase the magnification of a compound light microscope and not change the working distance?
change the numerical aperture
Headstamp
The base of a cartridge and shotshell.
Sudden Death
A death the occurs very quickly
Uniserial Ladders
A type of structure found in the medulla of hair.
Extracellular Fluid
Fluid found outside of cells such as blood
Plasma
Fluid portion of blood
Cuticle
Outermost portion of hair
Elimination Footwear
Shoes collected from medical personnel, police officers, or other innocet persons who, in addition to the susoect, could possibly have left the recovered footwear impressions
Microsatellites
Short tandem repeat or simple sequence length polymorphosms composed of di-, tri-, tetra-, or pentanucleotide repeats.
Equifinality
Similar result from two different processes.
Minisatellites
Simple sequence tandem repeat polymorphism in which the core repeat unit is usually 10 to 50 nucleotides long; variable number of tandem repeats.
Beginning Stroke
Initial stroke of a letter
Actus reus
The guilty act
Insect Stain/Fly spot
A bloodstain resulting from insect activity.
Island
A ridge pattern in fingerprints.
Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Medicines that can be purchased without a presciption.
Carrion
The decaying flesh of an animal
void
the absence of blood in an otherwise continuous bloodstain pattern
Cut rifling
A method of rifling a barrel to impart lands and grooves.
Blowback
(1) An operating principle of automatic and semiautomatic firearms. The fired cartridge blows back against the breechblock, forcing it to the rear and extracting and ejecting the expended cartridge casing. (2) The blowing back of blood and other tissue onto a firearm or a shooter from a near-contact or contact shot.
Behavioral scientists may be called for...
(1) Called by the court to give opinions about the sentencing of someone who may require treatment in a psychiatric hospital or medication (2)May be called to assist in death penalty cases, to testify if the defendant is competent to be sentenced to death
Glowing combustion
Occurs after flame combudtion ends
What conclusions can a firearms examiner reach as a result of a microscopic comparison of bullets or cartridges?
- a positive identification - the class characteristics are consistent and individual characteristics match - negative identification - they do not match - inconclusive - there was too little info on which to base a conclusion
What general rifling characteristics of a firearm can be determined from a fired bullet?
- caliber - number of lands and grooves - direction of twist of the rifling - degree of twist of the rifling - widths of lands and grooves
What are the three types of tool marks?
- compression tool marks - result when a tool is pressed into a softer material - sliding tool marks - are created when a tool slides along a surface; such marks usually consist of a pattern of parallel striations - cutting tool marks - a combo of compression and sliding tool marks; the cutting tool indents the material being cut and the working surfaces of the tool slide over the cut surface
What are the "W's"?
- Who - What - When - Where - Why
What is the multilevel approach to crime scene security?
- Assist the victim and prevent any changes to the victim - Search for and arrest the suspect if they are still on the scene - Detain any witnesses - Protect and secure the crime scene - Document all movements, alternations or changes made to the crime scene and report it to the crime scene investigators
What class characteristics of a firearm can be determined from an expended cartridge?
- Caliber - shape of firing chamber - location of the firing pin - size and shape of the firing pin - size of extractors and ejectors - geometrical relationship of the extracted and ejector
What conclusions can a firearms examiner reach as result of a microscopic comparison of tool marks?
- Positive identification - the class characteristics are consistent and individual characteristics match - Negative identification - the tool mark was not made by the submitted tool. The characteristics did not match - Inconclusive -this means that the class characteristics match but that sufficient individual characteristics to declare a match could not be found
Name three materials that can be used to lift a shoe impression that has been treated and enhanced with fingerprint powder on a nonporous tile floor, and indicate which one will make the most complete lift.
- electrostatic lifting is a method that utilizes a high-voltage power source to create a static electrical charge that enable he transfer of a dry origin impression from the surface to a special black lifting film - macrocell is a casting material that can lift and it the best one that will make a good complete lift
How is the range of fire estimated from a powder pattern?
- requires that the firearms examiner test fire powder patterns at various ranges until he or she is able to reproduce the original pattern in size and density of gunshot residue deposition - must use the same firearm and ammunition that was used in the original pattern - weather conditions can also affect the dispersal of gunshot residue - the Greiss test and Maiti Test for finding gunshot residue patterns
What four areas of the tread are involved in a forensic comparison?
- tread dimension or size - tread design - tread blocks, grooves, and sipes - wear features (when the tire wears down) - random individual characteristics (cuts, tears, scratches, and abrasions that have occurred on the tire)
How can the range of fire be estimated from a shotgun pellet pattern?
- when a shotgun is fired, the pellet mass spreads lately. Thus, pellet patterns fired at different ranges have different sizes and different shot densities. - the firearms examiner needs the original pellet pattern, the shotgun used to fire the pattern, ammunition from the same lot as that used to fire the pellet pattern, and a knowledge of the weather conditions at the time of the shooting
Assume that you detected amylase using a phadebas press test on a pair of underpants worn after a sexual assualt in which cunnilingus is alleged. Discuss the factors that would determine your choice of area for DNA analysis
-mixture of body fluids -how long ago did the assault occur? -what fluids belong to the suspect, and what belongs to the victim?
What are the four components of crime scene management?
1. Information management 2. Manpower management 3. Technology management 4. Logistics management
Describe four causes traumatic death
1. Mechanical trauma: knife wound 2. Blunt force trauma: gunshot 3. Chemical trauma: drugs 4. Thermal trauma: hyperthermia or hypothermia
Investigator are looking for information on a suspect or criminal by searching for electronic data that may reside in four specific locations.
1. computer hard drive 2. file servers (computer) 3. databases from governmental agencies as well as private and corporate databases 4. electronic record systems from governmental to private and commercial sectors
It is generally accepted as good police practice that, when entering an electronic crime scene, the investigator should follow certain guidelines; identify and discuss these guidelines.
1. protect the evidence and if people are at the scene don t permit anyone to touch any computers or other electronic instruments. 2. note if a computer is on or off 3. if a crime scene will require the use of fingerprinting powders to develop potential laten prints on the computer, inform the crime scene supervisor that no aluminum based powers should be use to dust for fingerprints on the computer because they could create electrical interference. 4. transport computers and other electronic instruments and evidence with caution so as not to damage or lose the fragile electronic data. 5. store and maintain computers and electronic equipment in an environment that is conducive to preserving the data contained in that equipment and is free from any nearby magnetic fields
A good police accident report is generally a fundamental for what?
1.Diagram the position of the vehicles as found after the accident, 2.diagram the tire marks impact marks impact debris and other items found. 3.contain statement made by the involved parties or witnesses directly after the accidents. 4.contain photographs taken at the time the scene was being worked by the authorities.
Super Glue
2-Methyl and ethyl esters of cyanoacrylate; manufactured as an adhesive and incidentally found to be useful in latenr fingerprint development. See Cyanoacrylate fuming.
Hematin
A derivative of hemoglobin.
Biological Profile
A description of human remains that includes the probable sex, age, ancestry, and stature, as well as any observed pathology or anomalies.
Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS n)
A detection system with more than one mass spectrometer in series.
Who was the first scientist to use RFLP in a forensic case? a. Colin Pitchfork b. Tommie Lee Andrews c. Alec Jeffreys d. Joseph Castro e. O.J. Simpson
A
Diatoms
Small unicellular organisms found in most fresh and salt waters in the world
Single-Variation Method
A method for determining the refractive index of a material using heated oil.
Durometer
A device for measuring the hardness of atire or similar product.
Colorimeters
A device that is used to characterize color using a spectrometer
Helixometer
A device used to determine the number and lands and grooves and their direction and degree of twist.
Absorption Elution
A method for performing ABO blood typing in stains.
Micrometer
A device utilizing a scale calibrated with stage micrometer for measurement of the physical dimensions of material viewed with a microscope.
Autopsy
A dissection of a body conducted to determine the cause and manner of death
Tensile fracture
A failure due to excessive pulling or stretching.
Class-characteristic Evidence
A feature of an item that assist in initial classification
Tetany
A condition that is due usually to low blood calcium (hypocalcemia) and is characterized by spasms of the hands and feet, cramps, spasm of the voice box (larynx), and overactive neurological reflexes
Cocaine
A controlled substance derived from the erythroxylin cocoa plant that creates an excitatory condition (stimulation), state of wakefulness, and euphoria
Amphetamines
A controlled substance that, along with its analogs such methamphetamine, creates an excitatory condition (stimulation), state of wakefulness, and euphoria.
A persin having the A antigen on her or her red cells will have serum antibodies that will agglutinate cells from: _______ a group "A" person _______ a group "B" person _______ a group "0" person _______ a group "AB" person
A &AB
Forensic Pathologist
A medical doctor who studies pathology in the context of death investigation
Back spatter pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from blood drops that travel in the opposite direction of the external force applied. Back spatter is often associated with a gunshot entrance wound.
Forward Spatter Pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from blood drops that traveled in the same direction as the impact force.
Mist Pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from blood reduced to a spray of micro-drops as a result of the force applied
Transfer pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from contact between a wet bloody surface and another surface
Projected Pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from the ejection of a volume of blood under pressure
flow pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from the movement of a volume of blood on a surface due to gravity or movement of the target.
swipe pattern
A bloodstain pattern resulting from the transfer of blood from a blood-bearing surface onto another surface, with characteristics that indicate relative motion between the two surfaces.
Saturation pattern
A bloodstain resulting from the accumulation of liquid blood in an absorbent material.
Drip Stain
A bloodstain resulting from the formation and falling of a drop of blood
Altered bloodstains
A bloodstain with characteristics that indicate a physical change has occurred
Hyperthermia
A body temperature that is dangerously higher than normal
Hypothermina
A body temperature that is dangerously lower than normal
Workplace Drug Testing
A branch of toxicology focused on analysis of employee samples
Contusion
A bruise; bleeding beneath the surface of the skin; an accumulation of blood in the tissues outside the blood vessels
Full metal jacket bullets
A bullet in which the lead is completely encased in another metal such as copper.
Semi-jacketed bullets
A bullet that is covered with another metal such as copper, but not completely.
Hollow-point bullets
A bullet with a hollowed-out nose; it is designed to mushroom on contact, causing more tissue damage than a standard bullet.
What is the difference between the dead load and the live load of a building?
A dead load is a permanent force, acting on a structure. This includes the weight of the structure itself. A live load is a changing, or non-permanent force acting on a structure.
Questionable Death
A death that was not witnessed or expected
Bloodstain Pattern
A characteristic grouping or distribution of bloodstains which may indicate the manner in which the pattern was deposited
Lead Snowstorm
A characteristic pattern of lead deposition that results from high-speed bullet impact with tissue
Michel-Levy Chart
A chart used in conjunction with polorizing light microscopy to interpret interference colors.
Duquenois-Levine Test
A chemical color test used to confirm the presence of cannabinoids in plant material.
Ruhemann's purple
A chemical complex formed between ninhydrin and amino acids.
DFO
A chemical fingerprint developer (1,8-dazafluoren-9-one)
Silver Nitrate
A chemical method for development of latent fingerprints
Marginal abrasion
A circular or elliptical defect in the skin found when a weapon is fired at a distance.
Premeditation
A collection of deviant thinking into a criminal thought pattern, which is connected to organization
Maiti test
A color-based test for nitrites
Sodium Rhodizonate Test
A colour test for the presence of lead in gunshot residue
Griess Test
A colour test for the presence of nitrite in gunpowder residue
Hemastix
A commericial test strip that can be used as well as a presumptove test for blood. The strips are designed to detect blood in urine but work well in forensic applications.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
A company or other entity that provides Internet service to a given computer.
Cyanomethemoglobin
A complex of cyanide and methemoglobin; used to treat cyanide poisoning
Chromogenic Substance
A compound which, which oxidized, displays a characteristic color.
Pollen
A fine powder containing male reproductive cells.
Bifurication
A fingerprint patternin which a ridge splits into 2.
Patent Fingerprint
A fingerprint that is visible without any development.
Physical Match
A fit between separate pieces of physical evidence in which the fit is similar to puzzle pieces fitting together.
Wadcutter
A flat bullet used primarily for target practice.
Public Laboratories
A forensic laboratory run by a government agency
Private Laboratories
A forensic laboratory that is run by a corporation or other non-governmental agency
Certification
A forensic scientist has completed a written test covering his or her discipline analyst participation in yearly proficiency testing to ensure that their laboratory methods and techniques are sound
Enzyme Systems
A form of hemoglobin that is exploited in some microcrystal tests
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
A form of mass spectrometry used to detect inorganic materials and metals.
Shear fracture
A fracture or failure caused by excessive shearing force.
Fatigue-type fracture
A fracture that results from a material becoming "tired" due to repeated applications of dynamic loads. The material fractures or fails at a strength level significantly less than it would fracture or fail if only static loads were applied.
Bending fracture
A fracture that results from a material becoming bent.
blood clot
A gelatinous mass formed by a complex mechanism involving red blood cells, fibrinogen, platelets, and other clotting factors
Double-Variation Method
A method of determining refractive index that employs a heating stage to maintain oil temperature; a monochrometer is employed to determine the match wavelength.
American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM)
A group that establishes national and international standard practices for procedures and analyses.
Near Contact Wounds
A gunshot wound in which a the gun is very close but not touching the skin. Also called Contact wounds
Contact Wounds
A gunshot wound in which a the gun is very close but not touching the skin. Also called Near-contact wounds
Ventricular Fibrillation
A heart rhythm problem that occurs when the heart beats with rapid, erratic electrical impulses
Scientific Probability
A high degree of probability, usually above 67%
Cyanide
A highly toxic chemical, especially in the form of gas (Hydrogen cyanide)
Cyanide
A highly toxic chemical, especially in the form of gas (hydrogen cyanide)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
A highly toxic gas that is formed as a product of combustion
Signature
A killer's psychological calling card left at each crime scene across a spectrum of several murders; characteristics that distinguish one murder from all others. Beyond MO, many killers are not satisfied with just committing the murder; they have a compulsion to express themselves or do something that reflects their unique personality. The killers personal expression is his signature, an imprint he leaves at the scene, an imprint he feels psychologically compelled to leave to satisfy himself sexually. The core signature of an offender remains constant; however, it may evolve over time.
Accreditation
A laboratory has agreed to operate according to a professional or industry standard and has proven that it can and does operate this way
Broaching
A method of rifling a barrel to impart lands and grooves.
Alternative Light Source (ALS)
A light source other than daylightt or indoor lighting; used to visualize materials or stains that are not otherwise visible.
Ventral Arc
A linear arc or ridge of bone that frequently develops on the front of the pubic bone in females, below the pubic symphysis.
Combustible liquids
A liquid that has a fire point greater than 100F
Flammable liquids
A liquid that has a fire point less than 100F
Compression Tool Marks
A mark made by pressing one object into another
Isotropic
A material that exhibits only one refractive index (RI) no matter which direction light propagates through the item or what the vibration direction is.
Snow Print Wax
A material used to preserve impressions in snow.
Bone Density
A measure of the concentration of bonr mineral including the fracture risk.
Blunt Force Trauma
A non-penetrating injury that results from force applied to the body
Blunt Force Trauma (BFT)
A non-penetrating injury that results from force applied to the body
DOT Number
A number that appear on every tire that shows where and when the tire was made. The U.S. Department of Transportation has required such numbers since 1972.
Osteoporosis
A pathological loss of bone density and increase of fracture risk
Planitiff
A person or group of people suing another person or group of people; the person who instigates the lawsuit
Naive Consumers
A person who does not regularly ingest large amounts of drugs or alcohol
Trier of Fact
A person, or group of persons, who determines facts in a legal proceeding, usually a trial. Another word for Finder of Fact
Small particle regents (SPRs)
A physical method of developing latent fingerprints
Powder dusting
A physical method of visualizing a latent fingerprint.
Phosphoglucomutase (PGM)
A polymorphic isoenzyme system that can be typed
Psychological autopsies
A postmortem evaluation of behavior and intentions that is open to interpretation
Fluorescein
A presumptive test blood based on the emission of light.
Luminol
A presumptive test for blood that is based on chemical reactions that cause light to be emitted.
Starch-Iodine Test
A presumptive test used for saliva.
Ignition source
A process or event which can cause a fire or explosion. Open flames, sparks, static electricity, and hot surfaces
Crime Scene Survey
A rapid initial study of the crime scene or areas suspected to be a crime scene
Fire
A rapid oxidation process with the evolution of heat and light.
Microcrystalline Tests
A reaction between the compound of interest and chemical reagent that results in the formation of unique crystals that can be observed with the microscope.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
A reaction used to make copies of segments of DNA.
Benzidine
A reagent that was once widely used in a presumptive test for blood
Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)
A reagent used in a presumptive test for blood.
Jurisdiction
A region or geographical area over which law enforcement or legal entity can excise authority
Bubble Ring
A ring in a bloodstain that results from an air bubble
Gray Ring
A ring of propellant combustion products, bullet lubricant, and metal from the bullet surface that has been wiped off onto the skin
Crime Scene Sketch
A rough drawing used to document a crime scene
What are the two basic types of crime scene sketches?
A rough sketch and a finished sketch
Anisotropic
A sample that splits polarized light into two perpendicular directions.
Wave Castoff Stain
A satellite bloodstain that originates from a parent bloodstain due to the wave-like action of the liquid that occurs when the parent drop strikes a surface at an angle
Callus
A scar of a bone material that forms around a fracture site.
Crime scene staging
A scene that has been altered to send the investigation off course and away from the offender
Abraded
A scraping type of wound
Drip Trail
A series of bloodstains resulting from blood dripping from a source that is in horizontal motion
Felony
A serious crime, such as murder, punishable by more than one year of imprisonment up to execution
General Acceptance
A shorthand description of the Frye decision which dictated that scientific evidence is admissible if it has achieved general acceptance by the relevant scientific community
Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)
A simple short sequence of DNA that contains a repeated pattern of A,T, C, and G.
Accompanying Drop
A small blood drop produced as a by-product of drop formation.
Hyoid Bone
A small horseshoe-shaped bone found in the neck near the base of the jaw
Primer
A small metal disk containing low explosives used to ignite powder in a firearm.
Race
A socially constructed category that groups people according to certain characteristics, sometimes but not always related to geographic ancestry. It is not accepted as biologically scientific
Physical developer (PD)
A type of fingerprint developer that is a photographic-type process based on the deposition of silver onto latent fingerprints
Grand Jury
A special type of jury that is empowered to decide if the evidence against a defendant warrants proceeding to the next step
bloodstain
A spot or stain made by blood
Puparial
A stage in the lifecycle of an insect that follows the larval stage
Frye Standard
A standard applied in some jurisdictions to the admissibility of scientific theory and method in court based upon the acceptance of the theory and method by the scientific community
Domino effect
A structural failure that proceeds in an orderly fashion.
Cutting Agents
A substance added to an illicit drug to reduce the concentration
Delusterant
A substance added to the surface of fibers to cause light scattering and a less shiny appearance
Thermolabile
A substance that breaks down at elevated temperatures
Antigen (Ag)
A substance that can stimulate an immune response when introduced into a host.
Cystolithic (bear-claw shaped) Hair
A trichome is defined as a hair or scale-like extension of the epidermis (skin) of a plant. This can be both non-secretory hairs and secretory glands. In our industry, cannabis resin glands are called trichomes and the hair-like extensions of the epidermis
Lever action
A type of action used in rifles and shotguns.
Dissimulation
A type of deception that involves a conscious and deliberate attempt to minimize or deny symptoms of a mental disorder
Malingering (simulation)
A type of deception that involves a conscious attempt to feign a physical or a mental illness
Backdraft
A type of explosive ignition that occurs when a smoldering fire is exposed to a fresh supply of oxygen.
What instrumentation is used to test paper thickness?
A vernier caliper is a high-precision measurement tool that can be used in multiple types of measurements.
Scientific Certainty
A very high degree of probability, usually at least 90% but 95% individual identification in a criminal case.
Perforating Gunshot Wound
A wound with an entrance and and exit
Penetration Gunshot Wounds
A wound with an entrance but no exit
Accelerant
Agent, often an ignitable liquid, that acts to intiate a fire or increase its rate of spread. It makes fires go boom
When a forensic anthropologist generates a biological profile, what is it likely to include?
Age, Sex, Stature, Ancestry, Anomalies, Pathology, Individual features
What is the difference between accreditation and certification?
Accreditation are labs that are accredited and certification is when forensic scientists are certified in their discipline
GC-MS
Acronym for gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.
NASH
Acronym for manner of death: Natural, Accidental, Suicidal, Homicidal
Biological Sex
The desgnation of male or female based on genetic characteristics.
Entomotoxicology
The study of drugs, poisons, and metabolites found in insects
Thrombocytes
Also called platelets; play a role in blood clotting
Lonnie David Franklin
Also known as the Grim Sleeper because of his 14 year break. He is responsible for 10 deaths. He was identified because of familial DNA search. His son being in the system helped catch him as he also had a record but his DNA wasn't in the system.
Disguised Writing
Alteration of handwriting for the purpose of concealment
Pen Pressure
Amount of force applied to a pen or pencil while writing
Fire load
Amount of material that can burn. The average fire load of a building is usually states in British thermal units (BTUs) per square foot to enable comparison of the fire-sustaining potential of one building to that of another.
M.O. (modus operandi)
An MO is simply the method of operation of a criminal. The principle that a criminal is likely to use the same technique repeatedly and that any analysis and record of the technique used in every serious crime will provide a means of identification in a particular crime
pool
An accumulation of liquid blood on a surface
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
An analytical intrument that combines a liquid chromatograph with a mass spectrometer as the detector; analogous to the GC-MS.
Defibrillator
An apparatus used to control heart fibrillation by application of an electric current to the chest wall or heart
GRIM (Glass Refractive Index Measurement)
An automated method for determining the refractive index of glass
Coroner
An elected official with death investigating duties
Nitroguanidine
An energetic compound used in triple-base powders.
Mitochondria
An energy-producing structure within a cell that contains DNA called -----------. It is not same as DNA that is found in nucleus of cell.
Alpha-Amylase
An enzyme found in saliva that is basis of presumptive tests for that body fluid.
Volume of Distribution
An equation that relates dose of a drug to blood concentration
Postmortem
An event or process that occurs after the time of death.
Debris method
An examination of debris on th eground at an accident scene, such as headlight glass, turn signal lens parts, and other parts that were damaged on the vehicle.
Thermal Trauma
An injury that results in the burning or freezing of tissues
Mechanical Trauma
An injury that results when applied physical force exceeds the tensile strength of the tissue to which the force is applied
Simometer
An instrument developed to measure facial flatness
Capillary Electrophoresis
An instrumenta technique that is used in DNA typing.
Diminished capacity
An offender who could not or did not form the specific intent or could not act in a knowing and purposeful manner
Nitroglycerin
An oily material that burns rapidly and is used in propellants.
Methemoglobin
An oxidized form of hemoglobin
Crime Scene Reconstruction
Analysis and reconstruction of a crime scene that logically links a detailed series of scientific explanations to provide an understanding of the sequence of events
Ossification Centers
Anatomical areas where bone tissue forms from fibrous tissue and cartilage, ultimately becoming a bone element.
Metric Traits
Anatomical traits that can be measured.
Congenital Anomaly
Anatomical variants that are present from birth
Agglutinins
Antibodies in the blood that bind with agglutinogens on the surface of red blood cells
Agglutinogens
Antigen on the surface of red blood cells that bind with agglutinins
Admissible Evidence
Any document, testimony, or tangible evidence used in a court of law
Porphyrin
Any of a class of pigments (including heme and chlorophyll) whose molecules contain a flat ring of four linked heterocyclic groups, sometimes with a central metal atom
Line Quality
Appearance of a written stroke determined by a combination of factors, such as speed shading, pen position, and skill; ranges from smooth and legible to tremulous and awkward.
Microanalysis
Application of a microscope and microscopical techniques to the observation, collection, and anylisis of micro-evidene.
Visualization
Applying a chemical or physical process to visualize a latent fingerprint.
Freehand Simulations
Attempt to copy or draw a signature without the use of mechanical aids
Explain plane polarized light
Are light waves in which the vibrations occur in a single plane
Noise Treatment
Arrangement of design elements of various sizes around the circumference of a tire to reduce noise.
What is it about insect sucession that allows insects to estimate elapsed time since death?
As time goes on different types of flies and insects come to the corpse because they don't like it when its fresh, so they come later, or vice versa, so to get an idea of what type of flies are the body at the time of arrival by anthropologists and entomologists, they can determine how long the body has been there for
Substantial capacity standard
At the time of the crime was committed they lacked some type of capacity (snapped)
AFIS
Automated Fingerprint Identification System
What is AFIS? Indicate what letters stand for, describe the system, and explain how it helps in fingerprint identification.
Automated Fingerprint Identification System - two principal applications; first is searching large files for the presence of a ten-print set of prints (taken from a person); the second is searching large files for single prints, usually developed latent fingerprints from crime scenes
What is the fundamental characteristics of an adversarial system such as the law?
Due process
Which of the following is a class of repetitive DNA? a. Structural genes b. Microsatelites c. Operator genes d. Homologous genes e. siRNA
B
Which of the following is not a step in polymerase chain reaction? a. Denaturation b. Lysis c. Polymerization d. Annealing e. Translation
B
Transfer Evidence
Evidence exchanged or transferred from onr location or source to another.
Digital Evidence
Evidence in digital form such as the contents of a hard drive, a dvd, or a memory stick.
How can insects be used as toxicological specimens?
Because the insects feed of the tissues of thedead body, they also ingest the toxins contained in the body, like any drugs or poison. They can bioaccumulate ingested chemicals into their body tissue, allowing them to be used as toxicological specimens throughout much of the life cycle
Antemortem
Before death
Decomposition
Breakdown of tissues in a body after death, including enzymatic chemical breakdown (autolysis) and breakdown by bacterial action (putrefaction)
Forensic Evidence
Broadly, physical or opinion evidence that is generated by a forensic practitioner or one hired in a forensic role.
Mechanism of Death
Biochemical or physiologic abnormality produced by the cause of death that is incompatible with life
Contusion ring
Bruising at the edges of a gunshot wound caused by penetration of the skin by a bullet.
Name six specimen types that are often tested in forensic toxicology. Under what circumstances is each specimen prferred?
Blood - preferred to establish DUI Urine - preferred for workplace testing and sports testing Gastric contents - beneficial in the case of the sudden death of a person who has large quantities of a lethal agent in his or her stomach Vitreous humor - only used in postmortem examinations Bile and liver - on occasion, may permit identification of an agent that caused death even when that substance cannot be found in the blood Breath - one can measure the breath alcohol and infer the corresponding alcohol concentration in the bloodstream
Name the three types of human cells that contain DNA.
Blood, semen, hair
Biofluids
Blood, urine, bile, etc.;fluids obtained from the body.
How can a bloody fingerprint be enhanced?
Bloody fingerprints require special enhancement because they're almost by definition not latent. sticky side powder, which is actually composed of lycopodium pollen mixed with a detergent and water
Markings made on the bases of cartridges by breech blocks are also called _____
Bolt face signatures
Stature can be estimated based on long bone length. What might limit the precision of these methods?
Bone decay or the loss of muscle tissue
Epiphysis
Bone growth center that forms the end or part of the end of a long bone, or the margin of some flat bones. The ------- is originally connected by cartilage, which ultimately becomes bone.
Pen Lifts
Break in a written line
Frangible bullets
Bullets that break apart easily.
Interference Colors
Interaction that occurs when two separate light rays are recombined.
Electronic Evidence
Evidence in digital form such as the contents of a hard drive, a dvd, or a memory stick. Basically digital evidence
Circumstantial Evidence
Evidence requiring the trier of fact to infer certain events
Henry System
Classification of 10-fingerprint cards so they can be stored in large files.. The system has been rendered largely obselete by AFIS, but was widely used in the United States and the United Kingdom.
IAFIS
Intergrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System
Victim selection
Centers around fantasy, criminal sophistication and constraints at the moment
In what ways can the caliber of a firearm be determined from a fired bullet?
Caliber is a term used to indicate the diameter of a bullet in hundredths of an inch so if an examiners finds the size of the bullet, they can determine the caliber of the firearm
Wads
Cardboard, fiber, or plastic disk found in shot shells. May be placed between the powder and the shot or over the shot.
Behavioral sciences
Central to criminal profiling. Try to reconstruct an offender's behavior and motivations. Look at analysis of a crime scene. Behavior reflects personality
Plastic Deformation
Change in shape that results from serious injury. Example: When bone is bent beyond its elastic capability to return to the original shape
Alterations
Change of a written or printed portion of a document, usually accomplished after obliterating or masking the original information
Remodeling
Changes in bone shape as a resultof injury or stress to the bone.
Wear Characteristics
Characteristics of pattern or surface that are the result of use.
Pattern matching
Characterizatio of a pattern by comparison to standards of known composition.
Isotopes
Chemical element that exists in alternate forms containing identical numbers of protons and different numbers of neutrons.
Chemical Color Tests
Chemical reactions producing colors when compounds or classes of compounds are brought into contact with various chemical reagents.
Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTRs)
Chromosomal locus at which a particular repetive sequence is present in different numbers in different individuals of a population; a simple sequence is present in different numbers in numbers in different individuals of a population; a simple sequence tandem polymorphism in which the core repear unit is usually 250 bases longs.
Elastic collision
Collision betwee two bodies in which the deformation each body is directly proportional to the applied force (Hooke's law)
Plastic collision
Collision between two bodies in which a significant portion of the deformation is permanent.
Base Pairs (bp)
Combination of two nucleotides (A and T or G and C) held together by weak hydrogen bonds. The DNA strands are held together by strong chemical bonds. The two halves of the molecule are held by the weaker hydrogen bonds. The double helix may be visualized as two strips of velcro. Weak bonds hold it together and the two strips are difficult to break or rip.
Azostix
Commercial test strip for detecting urea in blood; measures the shift in pH resulting when urea is catalyzed to ammonia and carbon dioxide by urease; used forensically to urine.
Ninhydrin
Common name for triketohyrindene, a chemical that reacts with amino acids to form a recognizable bluish-purple compound called Ruhemann's purple; widely used to visualize latent fingerprints; often requires posttreatment
Video Spectral Comparision (VSC)
Comparison and differentiation of inks by analyzing the infrared reflecting and luminescing qualities inherent to the ink; most often accomplished using a device made by Foster & Freeman, Ltd
Extractors
Component of a firearm that pulls an expended cartridge from the firing chamber.
Creatinine
Component of urine that reacts with picric acid to form creatinine picrate, a detectable color product.
Flash suppressants
Compounds added to propellants to minimize flame and flash.
Deterrents
Compounds added to propellants to slow the burning rate.
Total Station
Computerized system for mapping the spatial distribution of scattered remains or evidence at a forensic scene.
Crossed Polars
Condition in polarized light microscopy in which the analyzer and the polarizer are perpendicular to each other
Choke
Constriction in the muzzle of a shotgun intended to concentrate the shot pattern.
Shading
Contrast between the written upstroke and downstroke of a line
Control (comparison) samples
Control A test performed in parallel with an experimental procedure and designed to yield predictable results that confirm the reliability of the experimental results.
Sciatic Notch
Curved edge of the adult pelvis on the posterior aspect through which the sciatic nerve passes. The relative size of the ------ is an indicator of sex.
Forensic pathologists are employed primarily by ___________________.
Counties
Discuss the duties of the first responder at a crime scene
Crime Scene Security
Secondary Crime Scene
Crime scene location after the original or primary crime scene
Denaturation
Loss of natural configuration of a molecule through heat, chemical treatment, or pH change.
List and discuss the stages of crime scene reconstruction
Data collection: All information and documentation Conjecture: Possible explanations Hypothesis Formulation Testing: Experimentation must be done to confirm or disprove the interpretation of the hypothesis Theory formulation: Additional info may be acquired during the investigation
mtDNA
DNA found in the mitochondria; a circula duplex with genetic code differing from the universal genetic code.
Civil Law
Deals with noncriminal suits brought to protect or preserve a civil or private right or matter
What type of incident was the most important in driving the development of forensic science?
Death investigation
Manner of Death
Death occurs in one of four manners: natural, if caused solely by disease; accidental, if it occurs without apparent intent; suicidal, if caused by the deceased; and homicidal, if someone other than the deceased caused it
What material is used to cast footwear impressions?
Dental Stone
Decideuous Dentition
Dentition that develops in a child and is replacedby permanent dentition
Primary Crime Scene
Description of a crime scene based on the location of the original criminal activity; the original scene
Competency
Determination by the state as to a person's ability to stand trial. To be found competent the defendant must be free of mental illness that impacts his or her ability to know what is happening in his or her case
Immersion Methods
Determination of a refractive index based on submersion of a sample in a liquid.
Applications of behavioral science in forensic science includes
Determination of competency. Determination of truthfulness. Identification of mental illness. Uncovering faking malingering. Determination of sanity. Psychological autopsies
Cause of Death (COD)
Disease or injury that initiates the lethal train of events leading to death
Ejectors
Device in an automatic or semiautomatic firearm that wrests the expended cartridge from the extractor and ejects it from the firearm. In a revolver, it ejects cartridges from the chambers in the cylinder (manually).
Optical Bridge
Device that links two microscopes so the two images can be viewed side by side.
Turning Diameter
Diameter of the circle that a vehicle makes when its steering wheel is fully turned; the tightest turn a vehicle can make.
Describe unicellular organisms that may prove helpful in diagnosing drowning
Diatoms
What are the components or tasks of crime scene documentation? What is the purpose of each?
Digital imaging and photography Forensic Mapping Note taking Sketching Video recording Searches
Stippling
Disposition of fragments of powder into the skin as the result of a gunshot wound of relatively close range. Also called powder tattooing.
Stippling
Disposition of fragments of powder into the skin as the result of a gunshot wound of relatively close range; also called powder tattooing
Working Distance (WD)
Distance between the subject and the closest portion of the objective of a microscope when focused. It decreases as the numerical aperture (NA) and resolving power (RP) increase.
In vehicular accident cases, eyewitness testimony is usually gathered and recorded. Explain why this type of evidence should be evaluated with caution
Distance, lapsed time, and speed the key elements of most vehicular accident evaluations.
Questioned Documents (QD)
Document whose authenticity or orgin is suspect
Radiographically
Done using x-rays or radiographs
Bitstream Data Copy
Duplicates all data in a cluster, including anything that is in the slack space and unallocated space where digital forensic evidence may be hidden. A copy may not retain digital evidence.
Minutiae
Ending ridges, bifurcations, and dots in the ridge patterns of fingerprints; the quality and quantity of these features of these serve as the basis of comparison for latent print identifications.
Amylases
Enzymes that are used in the conversion of starches into less conplex sugars
Nucleases
Enzymes that break down DNA
Associative Evidence
Establishment of a relationship between objects (evidence and other items) through examination; evidence that establishes that relationship
Individualization
Establishment of uniqueness of an item through examination and experimentation, showimg that no other item is exactly like the one in question. An example would be establishing a match by comparing features on a fingerprint to a known print. The adjective form is individualistic.
Identification Evidence
Evidence that provides positive identification of the source; this term is falling out of favor
Exculpatory Evidence
Evidence that tends to exonerate the accused party
Macroscopic
Examination of an object with the naked eye.
Exemplars
Example or representative item usually undamaged condition to which a damaged item can compared. Writing that is produced upon request.
Improper driving is consistently responsible for approximately two-thirds of all vehicular accidents. What are the three primary categories of improper driving that cause accidents?
Excessive speed, right of way, failure to yield
Organized offenders
Exhibit clear evidence of forethought regarding their approach to and dealing with a victim. They plan and rehearse crime in detail, allowing for variances in victims and locations. They conceive, before the crime, what will be necessary to prevent identification and apprehension and what tools or implements will be needed to efficiently deal/control the victims in the manner they desire. They leave little to chance, sophisticated and methodical. They leave few clues as to their identity and they select victims who cannot be linked to them
High-order explosion
Explosion characterized by a papid pressure increase relative to low-order explosion.
Low-order explosion
Explosion charcterized by a slower pressure increase relative to high-order explosions
Low explosive
Explosives that burn very quickly and must be kept in a confined space to actually eplode.
Cortical Bone
External layer of bone, characteristically dense and having a relatively smooth surface, as constracted with inner, spongy or trabecular bone.
Incendiary fire
Fire intentionally caused by human activity.
Area of Origin
Fire-related area in space where a fire started or where blood that resulted in a stain originated.
Striations
Fine scratch used in the microscopic comparison of bullets and tool marks. Striations are made by minute imperfections inside a gun barrel or on the surface of a tool.
Plastic fingerprints
Fingerprint impressed into a soft recieving surface; a ------ print has a distinct three-dimensional character.
Latent fingerprint
Fingerprint that cannot be seen under normal ambient lighting. A latent print requires some type of enhancement to clarify ridge details sufficiently to allow comparison and identification.
Centerfire cartridges
Firearm cartridge in which the primer compound is contained in a centrally positioned primer cap.
Rimfire cartridge
Firearm cartridge in which the primer compound is placed within the rolled rim of the casing. The firing pin strikes the rim of the cartridge.
Semiautomatic weapons
Firearm that fires and reloads itself before firing another shot. A selfloading weapon.
Distance Gunshot Wound
Firearm wound that lacks stippling, smoke, or soot
What markings on fired cartridge are compared microscopically?
Firing pin impressions and breechblock markings also called bolt-face signatures
First Responding Officers
First person arriving at a crime scene; usually a law enforcement officer or other emergency personnel
First Instar
First-stage fly larvae that cannot penetrate skin and must subsist on liquid protein,
Forcing cone
Flaring at the breech end of the barrel of a revolver. It serves to guide the bullet into the rifling.
Blow flies
Flies that are often first to arrive at a body after death; a member Diptera family
McNaughten Rules
Followed by most states. A cognitive test of insanity
Wet Origin Impression
Footwear impression containing significant moisture from the shoe sole or substrate.
What areas are examined in a footwear impression comparison?
Footwear wear examinations involve comparisons of both full and partial crime scene impressions with known shoes. The examination of the class characteristics of design, physical size, and general wear and the presence of any individual characteristics form the bases for the examiners resulting opinion
Trigger pull
Force required to pull the trigger of a firearm and cause it to discharge.
Microscopic sections are fixed in a solution of what chemical?
Formaldehyde
ACE-V
Four steps (analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification) followed to evaluate and identify a latent finger print examiner community. Sometimes pronounced ace vee.
Concentric Cracks
Fractures that appear to circle around the point of impact.
Radial Cracks
Fractures that originate from the impact point and propagate away
Tracings
Fraudulent signature produced by following the outline of a genuine signature.
What steps and principles are involved in fingerprint identification?
Friction ridges develop during fetal growth before birth in their definitive form Friction ridges remain unchanged throughout life with the exception of permanent scars The friction ridge patterns and their details are unique and not repeated The ridge patterns vary within certain boundaries, which allow the patterns to be classified
What is it about insect development that allows insects to be used to estimate elapsed time since death?
From when the time the first egg is laid on the remains until the first adult flies emerge from the puparial cases and leave the body, it is valuable in estimating minimum time since death from a few hours to several weeks.
What are the key differences between the Frye admissibility standards and the Daubert admissibility standards?
Frye is general acceptance test is a test to determine the admissibility of scientific evidence Daubert is to determine the admissibility of an expert witness not evidence
Epiphyseal Union
Fusion of the bone groth center located at the end of a long bone (the epiphysis) with the bone growth center forms the central shaft (diaphysis)
Gas Chromatography (GC)
Gas flowing through a coated tube separates compounds by their size, weight, and chemical reactivity with the coating of the tube or column.
What is the difference between a forensic generalists and a forensic specialist? Name two forensic scientists you have heard of
Generalists work in many forensic disciplines/fields while specialists specialize in one forensic discipline/field
Rules of Evidence
Generally, the rules used by a court to determine if scientific evidence will be admitted
Microspectrophotometry (MSP)
Generation of transmission, reflection,. or absorption spectra from various translucent and opaque samples. The visible types are visible and infared.
Maternal Lineage
Genetic component passed through the female lines of a family (mitochondrial DNA)
Victimology
Good source of info for investigators that involves detailed knowledge of the crime victim's life and lifestyle that impacts the analysis of a crime. The analyst examines reputation, lifestyle, habits, associates, and pastimes to form an opinion about the individual's risk of becoming the victim of a violent crime
Slots
Grooves that run across a tread.
Nitrocellulose
Gun cotton. Main energetic in propellants.
Barrels with polygonal rifling are made by ______
Hammer forging
Revolver
Handgun that holds cartridges in a rotating cylinder.
Requested Writing
Handwritten standards issued in the presence of an investigator or examiner.
Birefringence
Having two or more indices of refraction. When placed between polarizing filters, birefringent materials exhibit bands of color. The specific colors exhibited when white (polychromatic) light is used as the illuminant are determined by the differences in the indices of refraction and the thickness of the birefringent material
When a forensic anthropologist testifies as an expert witness, for which side might they testify? Explain your answer, including a discussion of the difference between science and advocacy.
He or she may not testify for whatever side they choose, they must uphold the principle of scientific neutrality and objectivity
1st Lt William Blassies
He was an officer in the United States Air Force. Prior to the identification of his remains, Blassie was the unknown service member from the Vietnam War buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns and was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was identified using mitochondrial DNA evidence.
Radiation
Heat that travels in a waves in a straight line from its source (radiated heat).
Radiated heat
Heat that travels in waves in a straight line from its source.
Carboxyhemoglobin
Hemoglobin in whichthe oxygen has been replaced by carbon monoxide.
Who were Herschel, Faulds, Vucetich, and Henry? Describe their contributions to fingerprint science.
Herschel - often credited with being the first European to recognize the value of fingerprints as means of personal identification Flauds - scottish physician by training and profression; known to have ben involved in the study of fingerprints. he noted that fingerprints could be classified and that ridge detail is unique and also looking for prints on scenes Vucetich - the western hemispheres fingerprints pioneer. He became convinced of the value of fingerprints as a means of criminal identification and wrote a book on the subject Henry - created classification systems; the Henery system as used in the US is a scheme for the classification of ten-print sets, or a fingerprint card, for one individual
Satellite DNA
Highly repetitive eukaryotic DNA located primarily around centromeres and found in other places in the genome. The buoyant density of satellite DNA is usually different from that other DNA of cell. The repetitive DNA forms a satellite or off-the-bell-curve fraction in density gradient because of the base compositions of the repetive regions.
Trace Evidence
Historically, a term used to describe any evidence smaill in size, such as hairs, fibers, and soil samples, that is anayzed utilizing microscopic techniques.
Attending the scene of death by the forensic pathologists is the most helpful in _______________.
Homicide
Frequency
How many wavefronts pass by a location per second; higher energy electromagnetic energy has a higher frequency.
ABO Blood Group System
Human antigenic system designating the blood groups A, B, AB, and O
Which instrumental technique's spectra are most subject to variations due to sample preparation techniques? Why?
IR spectra are most subject to variations due to sample preparations because changing the sample method may affect the way different parts of the molecule can vibrate, which will cause shifts in the peak intensities in the resulting IR spectra
Suppose the bloody towel is found to have a mixture of blood on it. DNA analysis shows that some of the stains are consistent with the subject and with the victim. What categories of evidence could the towel belong to?
Identification evidence, class characteristics, and individual characteristics
Positive Identification
Identification that medically ceratin and accepted as such in the court system, generally including idetification by an expert using DNA, fingerprints, x-ray matching, or dental record matching.
Dissection of the legs is done if what condition is found during the autopsy?
If blood clots are found
What would you expect to be the biggest disadvantage to the Betillon system of identification of individuals?
If someone were to get convicted in their early life and get their body measures and then later in life their body measured again, the height, or length, or size of things could've expanded due to growth of their body natural and puberty
Clandestine Drug Laboratories
Illicit location that manufactures controlled substances.
Suture
Immovable joint formed by the union of two flat bones in the cranium. This joint tends not to fused in subadults but may fuse older adults
Cyanoacrylate
Important fuming method for the visualization of latent fingerprints. See Super Glue.
Dry Origin Impression
Impression that contains no significant moisture from itself or its substrate when made.
Two-Dimensional Impressions
Impression that has length and width, but no significant depth.
Three-Dimensional Impressions
Impression that has length, width, and depth.
Margin of safety
In a building, purposeful design to support static loads that are several times stronger than what the designer anticipates would typically be needed.
Dead loads
In a building, weights that do not change significantly, such as the weight of the floors, walls, supports, and roof.
Mobile Phase
In a chromatographic system such as thin layer chromatography or gas chromatography, the phase that moves.
Finder of Fact
In a trial of a lawsuit or criminal prosecution, the jury or judge (if there is no jury) who decides if facts have been proven
Contraband Materials
In forensic toxicology and drug testing facilities, this refers to suspected controlled substances.
Sexual Dimorphism
In humans, the average difference in shape and size between males and females of species
Optical Path Difference (OPD)
In polorizing light microscopy, the splitting of rays by a birefringent material causes the two wavefronts to travel in different directions resulting in a difference in path.
Backscattered Electrons (BSEs)
In scanning electron microscopy, higher electrons that are elastically scattered from the sample.
Irreversible work
In the context of accident investigation, the concept that once some energy is used for a particular process, it cannot be converted back into the kinetic energy it once was.
Conservation of momentum
In the context of accidet reconstruction, the net momentum of the vehicles involved in an accident just prior to the collision is equal to the net momentum just after the collision.
Direct Evidence
Information that establishes a fact directly, without the need for further inference—for example, an eyewitness' testimony that the defendant fired the fatal shot.
Internally inconsistent
In this instance various aspects of the case will not fit together logically, nor will they be properly supported by forensic evidence. For example, the husband who killed his wife may have committed the crime out our uncontrolled anger. If so, the crime scene will usually display facets of that anger within the evidence present. The injuries inflicted don the wife's body may reflect overkill. The forensic and behavioral aspects of her death will reflect anger; however, the staged portions will reflect elements of burglary.
p-DMAC
Indicator chemical used to detect ammonia when urea is catalyzed by urease; used forensically to detect urine.
Myiasis
Infestation of living humans or other vertebrate animals with dipteran larvae (maggots)
Osteoarthritis
Inflammatory changes to bony joints, frequently related to overuse and loss of bone density.
Incised Wounds
Injury produced by a sharp instrument and characterized by lack of surface abrasion and absence of bridging vessels, nerves, and smooth margins
Lacerated
Injury produced by blunt instruments; characterized by surface abrasion, bridging vessels and nerves with irregular margins.
Perimortem Trauma
Injury that occurs at or about the time of death
Antemortem Trauma
Injury to a body that occurs during life.
Sharp Force Trauma
Injury to soft tissue or bone caused by a sharp-edged or ointed weapon or instrument
Sharp Force Trauma
Injury to soft tissue or bone caused by a sharp-edged or pointed weapon or instrument
Serial Side
Inner sidewall of a tire
The coroner is unique in English law because he/she is an ________________ judge.
Inquisitional
Frass
Insect feces
Copybook
Instruction manual for learning penmanship
Spoliation
Intentional or negligent destruction or alteration of evidence.
What information can a shoe print provide in an investigation? Name at least three.
It can link scenes of crime Location of impressions Number of perpetrators
What is the purpose of a walk-through?
It is an initial examination or orientation of the crime scene to following he crime scene security
What is meant by the term incendiary fire?
It is an intentional act of a set fire
The race concept is socially constructed and socially defined. How does this fact affect judgements the anthropologist might make regarding evidence of ancestry?
It really shouldn't play into the judgements an anthropologist makes as it is not a biological factor that is accepted. Its possible to identify characteristics of certain "races" but as race isn't biological you can't identify a race.
Connecting Strokes
Joining the ending stroke of one letter to the beginning stroke of another letter.
Voir Dire
Jury selection process of questioning prospective jurors, to ascertain their qualifications and determine any basis for challenge.
Cannelures
Knurled grooves on a bullet meant for lubricant.
Summarize the key components of each decision in the Daubert trilogy
Kuhmo extended the Daubert ruling to all experts, not just scientists such as biologists and chemists Joiner's case meant that scientific data had to pass the Daubert criteria as well as a relevance test before it could be admitted
Blunt Starts
Lack of one continuous movement of a writing instrument as it touches paper in the initial writing stroke
Adversarial System
Lawyers represent one of two rival positions arguing for acceptance
Controlled Substances Act (CSA)
Legislation in the United States that defines illegal drugs and classifies them by Schedules.
Sexual psychopath laws
Legislation intended to regulate the evaluation, treatment, and legal disposition of convicted sex offenders.
Trabecular Bone/Cancellous Bone
Less dense, spongy bone nside the denser cortical external framework
Describe the common findings in ligature strangulation
Ligature strangulation is when someone is hung by a rope or wire; there is normally a furrow in the neck of a person
Plane Polarized Light
Light that has passed through a polarizing filter such that it is propagating in a single direction.
Oblique Lighting
Lighting cast across a page of writing at an angle almost parallel with the page.
Mandible
Lower jaw
Statis loads
Load or force that does not change; it creates no net motion. ----- balance each other.
Dynamic loads
Loads or forces that change and usually produce motion.
Hypervariable Regions
Locus with many alleles, especially those whose variation is due to variable numbers of tandem repeats.
Homeostasis
Maintenance of a constant body temperature
Trash Marks
Marks left on a finished copy during photocopying; results from imperfections or dirt on the cover glass, cover sheet, drum, or camera lens of a photocopy machine.
Equivocal Death
Manner of death (homicide, suicide, accident) remains undetermined after a complete investigation
Describe the common finding in manual strangulation
Manual strangulation constricts the airway by compressing the neck of a person
Slippage
Mark on the surface of a fired bullet made when the bullet slides along the tops of the lands of the rifling. Slippage marks appear when the rifling is worn or when a subcaliber bullet is fired.
Skid marks
Mark on the surface of a fired bullet made when the edges at the beginning of the rifling scrape the bullet surface or when the nose of the bullet slides on the surface of the forcing cone of a revolver barrel.
Bolt-face signatures
Marking embossed on a cartridge primer (or base of cartridge) by a breechblock or bolt.
Tattooing
Marking of the skin that results from a close or contact gunshot wound
Obliterations
Marking over or through existing writing in an attempt to destroy or remove it.
Sliding Tool Marks
Marks from when a tool slides along surface and leaves parallel striations
Fire Patterns
Marks left by fire, smoke, and soot on structures and devices. Several characteristic patterns help identify the relationship and orientation of the fire to the structure: horizontal patterns, plumes. V-shaped patterns, and saddle burns.
Modifiers
Material added to paint formulations to alter the characteristics of dried coating.
Sizings
Material added to paper to change its smoothness, finish, absorbency, and appearance
Extenders
Materials added to paints to thin out the mixture.
Petroleum distillates
Materials derived from crude oil; also called hydrocarbons or petroleum hydrocarbons.
Angle of Acceptance (AA)
Maximum angle between light waves that an objective lens (OBJ) can collect.
Insanity
Means lack of mens rea. For a person to be found not guilty by reason of insanity they, at the time of the commission of the crime, were suffering from such mental infirmity or disease that she or he did not know the nature and quality of his or her actions. This is purely cognitive in that the individual could not or did not know what he or she was doing or that what he or she was doing was wrong.
Wheelbase
Measurement between the centers of the hubs of the front wheels to centers of the hubs of the rear wheels; it is very difficult to measure from the tracks made by a vehicle.
Tire Track Width
Measurement from the center of one wheel to the center of the opposite wheel on the same axle.
Micrometry
Measurement of dimensions using a micrometer and a microscope.
Gait Analysis
Measurement of stride.
Grabbers
Mechanical "fingers" in a copy machine or printer that draw the paper through the machine.
What other forensics science disciplines are included in forensic pathology training?
Medical examiner
Name several groups of medicinal drugs often involved in fatalities. What characteristics render a drug most likely to be associated with overdose deaths?
Methadone. Oxycodone (such as OxyContin) Hydrocodone (such as Vicodin)
Bone Densitometry
Method of measuring bone density.
Cortical Fusi
Microscopic air pockets or vacuoles within the cortex of hair
Sign of Elongation
Microscopic characteristic of anisotrophic material. It is positive when the vibration direction of light along the length of the particle has a higher refractive index.
Ovoid Bodies
Microscopic structures ocassionally observed in the cortex of hair.
Facial Approximation
Modeling the appearance of face based on skeletal structure
Nucleotides
Molecule consisting of a base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphoric acid group.
How can insects be used to indicate wound sites?
More insects go directly towards the most dense areas of blood so that can be help to target where wounds are
Strap Muscles
Muscles of the neck
Numerical Aperture (NA)
NA = N * sin(AA/2), where AA is the angle of acceptance.
Describe the four manners of death
NASH; natural, accidental, suicidal, or homicidal
did the impacts of the aircraft into the two towers of the WTC directly cause the towers to collapse? Why or why not?
No, because each building was a vertical hollow rectangular tube within another vertical hollow rectangular tube. the outer rectangular tube consisted of 244 14 inch steel box columns spaced 39 inches apart. the inner rectangular tube was 90 feet long and was composed of tightly spaced steel girders around a central core of elevator shafts and stairways. the inner tubes supports the much of the weight of the building the two was connected by steel spandrel members overlaid with steel decking. what caused the tower to fall was the fire that weaken the bean frames.
Is it possible for a document examiner to tell the personality of an individual from their handwriting?
No. This is done through the field of Graphology, where it is possible to describe and determine specific behavior and personality traits as observed and identified in a person's handwriting.
What is the differences between requested handwriting standards and non-requested standards?
Non-request standards are quite simply writings which were indisputably prepared by the accused when he had no reason to think that they would be used for a handwriting comparison. Requested standards are those in which the subject is asked to write specific material.
Iodine Fuming
Nondestructive method of vizualizing latent fingerprints based on the interaction of iodine vapors with lipids in the latent residue; usually used to develop fingerprints on items with high intrisic value.
Non-Request Writing
Normal writing, done without attention to the writing process.
How should tool marks be processed at the scene of a crime?
Once a tool mark is found, the crime scene technician must take are to prevent alteration of the mark. He or she must make sure that no one attempts to fit a suspect tool into a tool mark; to do so risks alteration of the mark and would vitiate the value of any transferred trace evidence on the tool
Biological Anthropology
One of four major subfields of anthropology, focusing on the biological basis of human form, behavior, and variation
Double loop whorl
One of several types of whorl patterns in finger prints.
Central Pocket Whorl
One of several types of whorl patterns in fingerprints.
Physical Anthropology
One of the four major subfields of anthropology, focusing on the biological basis of human form, behavior, and variation
Whorl
One of three basic fingerprint patterns
Arch
One of three basic fingerprint patterns.
Loop
One of three basic fingerprint patterns.
Gas Piston
One of three ways in which an automatic or semiautomatic weapon can function
Precure Process
One of two ways in which retread tires are made. This process bonds tread rubber already containing the tread design to the original carcass.
Mold Cure Process
One of two ways in which retread tires are made. This process utilizes strips of raw rubber that are applied to the used tire carcass. The tire carcass is then placed into a mold where the tread design is molded into the new rubber.
Name the NIDA 4. Draw a table showing the following characteristics of each drug: structure of the representative molecule, drug group, symptoms of overdose, and drug source.
Opiates - can cause profound euphoria as well as to relieve pain, reduced muscle activity, depressed respiration and heartbeat, and an inclination to sleep. Overdose can cause death usually by paralysis of the respiratory center Amphetamines - stimulants that create an excitatory condition characterized by elevations of heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate; provoke intense euphoria Cocaine - a stimulant that resembles amphetamine, natural product found in the coca leaf Cannabinoids - another name for marijuana, mood swings and hallucinations are possible with moderate intoxication , while heavy usage may provoke delusions and paranoia. THC, the active agent in marijuana Pharmaceutical Materials - many die from prescription drugs, overdose, and over the counter medications. Such deaths are suicides but many are accidental
Scavengers
Organisms that feed on dead animals or plants; term is used in forensic taphonomy to refer to animals that deflesh and modify the bone of human remains
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Tires (OE Tires)
Original tire installed on a new vehicle.
Annealing
Pairing of complementary strands of dot-blot DNA analysis (DQ-aplha and amplitype PM)
Delta
Part of a whorl pattern in fingerprint.
What are the three main types of fingerprints that can be found at a scene?
Patent - or visible print is one that needs no enhancement or development to be clearly recognizable (grease, dark oil, direct, or blood Plastic - referred to as an impression or indented print, is a recognizable fingerprint indentation in a soft receiving surface, such as butter, putty, tar, etc. Latent - is one that by definition requires additional processing to be rendered visible and suitable for comparison
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Pathological joint inflammation that occurs in children and young adults.
Differentiate between a perforating and penetrating gunshot wound
Penetrating go through all the way (entrance and exit) while perforating doesn't go through all the way (only entrance)
Trophy
Personal item belonging to the victim of a violent crime that is taken by the offender, such as jewelry, clothing, a photograph, or driver's license. The item represents and is a reminder of an accomplishment, a victory, in the offender's mind. Items taken may represent an accomplishment or victory (Souvenir)
Souvenir
Personal item belonging to the victim of a violent crime that is taken by the offender, such as jewelry, clothing, a photograph, or driver's license. The item serves as a reminder of a pleasurable encounter and may be used for masturbatory fantasies. The offender who takes a souvenir is usually an inadequate person who is likely to keep it for a long time or give it to a significant other (Trophy)
Psycholegal Issues
Pertaining to legal issues or questions that are addressed by psychologists or other mental health professional ex. Competency or criminal responsibility;
What factors may limit the ability of the anthropologist to attribute sex to a set of skeletal remains?
Possibly decomposition of physical features (genitalia)
Double-base smokelesspowder
Powder in which nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin are the energetic materials.
Fantasies
Powerful forces in shaping violent criminal acts. Imagination is an indicator of intelligence. Intelligence leads to more effective planning
Crime Scene Security
Practices used to secure a crime scene and to keep unauthorized persons away to protect the scene integrity
Walk-through
Preliminary crime scene survey performed to orient the crime scene investigator to the scene and the physical evidence at the scene
Wet Chemical Procedures
Procedures that involve solvents, extraction, etc.; not instrumental
Distance Determination
Process of estimating the distance from a shooter to a person who was shot
Personality inventories
Psychological tests that, unlike the projective techniques, are highly standardized and have considerable empirical validation for what they are designed to assess. They evaluate personality, psycho-pathology, and mental functioning
What are the differences between public and private forensic laboratories?
Public laboratories are labs funded by the government (states, counties, and cities) while private laboratories are made for profit and tend to have some sort of specialty
Use of profiling
Purpose is to supply offender characteristics to help investigators narrow the field of suspects based on the characteristics of the scene and the initial investigative information
Lands
Raised areas of rifling.
Wear Bars
Raised areas of tires used to measure wear.
Height ratio
Ratio of heights of letters compared to others.
Immunological Reactions
Reactions between an antige and an antibody.
The condition of the remains should be interpreted with with reference to their taphonomic context. What does this mean and how does it affect the tasks of forensic anthropologist?
Reconstructing the post mortem period based on the condition of the remains and the recovery context, including evidence of trauma This could interfere with anthropologists doing their work because they have to wait to access the remains of the body
Videography
Recording the scene using continuous video (usually digital)
Homozygous
Refers to both alleles being the same at specific genetic locus.
Flanking Region
Region just adjacent to a region of interest, a gene, a repeat, or any other sequence
Criminal Law
Regulation and enforcement of rights, setting the acceptable limits of conduct in society
Enhacement
Rendering an impression more visible through physical, photographic, chemical, or digital methods.
Tetramers
Repeats of four four base pairs
Gunshot Residue (GSR)
Residue from the primer that is produced when a gun is fired.
Gunshot residue
Residue from the primer that is produced when a gun is fired.
Hammer forging
Rifling method in which a barrel blank is hammered down over a mandrel. This method is used to make polygonal rifling.
Swaging
Rifling method in which a rifling button is forced down a drilled-out barrel blank. The button simultaneously expands the barrel to its final diameter and embosses the lands and grooves on the interior.
Transitional ballistics
Rifling method in which a rifling button is forced down a drilled-out barrel blank. Thebutton simultaneously expands the barrel to its final diameter and embosses the lands and grooves on the interior.
Electrochemical Etching
Rifling method in which the grooves of the rifling are produced by an electrochemical process
Scrape cutter
Rifling tool having one or two raised cutting edges that cut the grooves of rifling.
Hook cutting
Rifling tool with a raised cutting edge used to cut one groove of rifling at a time.
What is the medical term for stiffening of the body due to postmortem depletion of glycogen?
Rigor mortis
The two types of metallic cartridge priming systems are _____ and ______
Rimfire cartridge and centerfire cartridge
Tread Wear Indicators
Rubber bar raised 1/16 inch above the base of the tire grooves; it must appear at least six times on a tire.
Federal system follows the Omnibus Crime Code for Insanity
Says that they could not appreciate the criminality of their behavior at the time of the crime
Biometrics
Science and technology of using individuality variable features of the human body for identification.
SWGDRUG
Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of seized Drugs
SWGFAST
Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study, and Technology
Morphology
Scientific study of forms and function of living organisms ; shape and size of an organism in relationship to its function. The adjective form is morphological.
Morphology
Scientific study of the forms and functions of living organisms; shape and size of an organism in relationship to its function.
Specialist
Scientists who specialize in one forensic discipline/field
Generalistics
Scientists who work in many different forensic disciplines (fields)
If bone growth and tooth eruption processes have ended, list several skeletons or dental features that can be used to estimate adult age. In very general terms, how precise are these methods?
Scoop and radiographic images
Second Instar
Second-stage fly larvae resulting from molting of first star larvae that can penetrate skin by using proteolytic enzymes and rasping action of their mouthparts.
Liquid Extraction
See extraction
Disarticulation
Separation of bones at the joint
Extractions
Separation of the compound of interest from the firing chamber
Gender
Sexual orientation that is individually or socially assigned.
Explain how you could use a laser to enhance a fingerprint.
Since a laser is a very high-intensity light source, it can be used to illuminate a fingerprint
List the forensic scientists that were involved in the early development of fingerprints. What made fingerprints so important to forensic science at the turn of the 20th century
Sir Francis Galton, he published the influential book called Fingerprints The Glaton ridge describe finger designs which was important to fingerprints in the 20th century
Friction Ridge Skin
Skin on the sole of the feet, palms of the hand, and fingers in humans and some priimates that forms ridges in fingerprint patterns.
Sipes
Small grooves in a tire design element intended to provide better traction. ---- vary in depth and are useful for documenting tire wear.
Stellate defect
Star-like tearing of soft tissue seen in contact wounds of the head or sternum.
An irregular, blown entrance wound in the skull is termed a _____ defect.
Stellate
Botanical examinations
Study of various plant structures, such as roots, stems, branches, leaves, fruits, or flowers, that may be used to determine time and season of death as well as possible prior location of remains.
Alkaloids
Substance formed in the plant tissues and in bodies of animals. Example: Morphine and codeine are ----- of opium
Precursors
Substances that can beconverted into an abused substances
Depressants
Substances that depress the central nervous system and cause symptoms such as slowed heart rate and breathing.
Uncovering deceptive behaviors
Such as malingering or dissimulation
Explosion
Sudden conversion of potential energy (often chemical) to kinetic energy accompanied by physical destruction of the container or structure via a high-pressure wave front.
Ending Stroke
Terminal stroke of a letter
Colorimetric Testing
Testing in which a change or production of color is used to screen for compounds
Immunoassays
Tests utilizing antibodies that react with a drug or substance that recognizes the antibody
Postcranial
That part of the skeleton that does not include the cranium or skull
Cranium
That part of the skull that includes the brain case and the face, but not the lower jaw.
What is the first determination that must be made when investigating a death?
That the victim is indeed dead and who they are
Three commonly used chemical methods for the visualization of powder patterns produced by ammunition having lead-based primers are ____, _____, and ______
The Griess Test, Maiti Test, and sodium rhodizonate test
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
The US government agency responsible for regulation of controlled drugs.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
The active ingredient in marijuana
Oxidation
The addition of oxygen to a substance; a reduction in hydrogen in a substance or loss of electrons in a substance
Postmortem Interval
The amount of time that has passed after death until the time of discovery of the body.
Angle of attack
The angle at which a tool is held when making a mark.
Directional Angle
The angle between the long axis of a bloodstain and a reference line on the target
Subpubic Angle
The angle formed in the front under the joint (pubic symphysis) where the teo pubic bones come together. The shape of this angle is used to assess sex in the skeleton.
area of convergence
The area containing the intersections generated by lines drawn through the long axes of individual stains that indicates in two dimensions the location of the blood source.
Taphonomic Assessment
The assessment of the condition of the dead body in conjunction with the context in which it was found.
Parent Stain
The bloodstain from which wave castoff or satellite bloodstains originate
Postmortem Drug Testing
The branch of toxicology focused on the analysis of biofluids after death to assist in determining a cause of death
Core
The center of a whorl pattern in a fingerprint.
Cartridge
The circular metal container for propellant. Contains the firing pin and also the bullet when loaded.
Urea
The compound found in urine that generates the characteristic odor
Permanent Dentition
The dentition that replaces deciduous teeth and is retained in an adult.
Laser-Induced Fluorscence (LIF)
The detection method used in the capillary electrophoresis method of DNA typing.
Telogen Stage
The dormant or resting phase of hair growth. Hair in the telogen phase is shed naturally.
Ridges
The elevated portion of skins patterns
Terminal Stroke
The ending or last stroke made when writing a letter
Kinetic Energy
The energy an object has due to its motion
Taphonomic Context
The environment in which a dead body remains during the time between death and discovery.
Necropsy
The examination of a body after death; another term for autopsy
Cross-examination
The examination of a witness who has already testified in order to check or discredit the witness's testimony, knowledge, or credibility
What markings on fired bullets are compared microscopically?
The examiner searches the surface of one bullet for a distinctive pattern of parallel 'striations' and then rotates the other bullet slowly in an attempt to find a matching pattern. Skid marks and slippage marks are also compared
The rules of evidence are exclusionary. Explain what that means
The exclusionary rule is a legal rule, based on constitutional law, that prevents evidence collected or analyzed in violation of the defendant's constitutional rights from being used in a court of law
What kind of foundation would be needed for the bloody towel to be admitted as forensic evidence?
The fingerprints are can show that it was used by whoever and can prove that that person was there and used the towel. They maybe didn't commit the crime
American Board of Forensic Anthropology
The organization that certifies forensic anthropologists for practice at the post-doctoral level.
Enamel
The outer covering of the crown of the tooth.
Label Side
The outer sidewall of a tire
Conservstion of energy
The first law of thermodynamics; energy is neither created nor destroyed.
Colin Pitchfork
The first man convicted of crime as a result of DNA testing.
Interior ballistics
The first phase of firing a weapon where the chemical energy stored in the propellant is converted into the kinetic energy of the projectile.
Sir Alec Jeffreys
The first scientist to perform DNA analysis in a forensic case.
A bloody towel is recovered at a homicide scene. Describe the forensic and evidence characteristics of the towel
The forensic characteristic are how the DNA was extracted, tested, and subjected while the evidence characteristic is whether or not to admit or exclude
Oxyhemoglobin
The form of hemoglobin when it is bound with oxygen
Carboxymyoglobin
The form of myoglobin (a protein) that results when it binds with carbon monoxide
Poration
The formation of pores in a surface, or the pattern of such pores
Skid formula
The formula used by accident investigators to determine how fast a car was traveling before the driver applied his brakes and initiated skidding. It involves the weight and mass of the vehicle, acceleration of gravity, frictional coefficient between the tires and pavement, and the distance skidded.
Stature
The overall height of an individual
Stance
The overall height of an individual.
Macroscopic Crime Scene
The overall or "big picture" crime scene
Osteon
The functional anatomic unit of bone, including bone cells within a mineral matrix
Ancestry
The genetic relationship of an individual to one or more particular geographic populations.
Anagen Phase
The growth period of hair
Mens rea
The guilty intent/mind. It refers to a person's awareness of the fact that his or her conduct is criminal
Inframammary Incision
The initial incision of an autopsy, the "Y"-shaped incision from shoulders to pubic area
Prosecution
The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.
Catagen Stage
The intermediate or transition phase of hair growth.
Medulla
The lengthwise central canal of a hair shaft.
What techniques can be used to identify the victim of a fatal fire?
The most basic identification is known as gross identification whereby a relative or friend identifies the victim by visual identification. Additional identification may be by fingerprint comparison, forensic odontology (dental comparison), and ultimately medical or physical examination for tattoos or scars, evidence of surgical procedures, unique or unusual deformity, gender, race, build, features, and approximate age, personal papers, jewelry, and clothing.
Hemoglobin
The oxygen-carrying substance in blood
Point of impact (POI)
The location at which a collision took place.
A child's long bones provide clues to age. What features of long bones are important to esimating age and why?
The long bone shafts called diaphyses can be compared to published tables of age-associated size or used in regression formulate to extrapolate stature
Cortex
The main body of hair containing proteins fibrils, pigment, cortical fusi, and ovoid bodies.
What role does a forensic anthropologist play in a medicolegal death investigation? Differentiate the roles of forensic anthropologist from those of the forensic pathologist and the medical examiner or coroner?
The main focus of a Forensic Anthropologist is to process crime scenes, examine and process remains, develop a biological profile, compile appropriate documentation, and testify in the provincial and federal courts. pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse.
Breechblock
The metal block in an automatic weapon that is at the end of the barrel opposite from where the bullet exits.
Gauge
The method of designating the diameter of a shotgun barrel. It equals the number of round lead balls of the diameter of the interior of the shotgun barrel required to weigh 1 pound.
Carrier Gas
The mobile phase in gas chromatography (GC)
Privileged Direction
The one direction of light propagation allowed to pass through a polorizing filter.
Fallibilism
The philosophical claim that no belief can have justification which guarantees the truth of the belief
Edge Characteristic
The physical characteristics at the periphery of a bloodstain that may be described as spines, scalloping, smooth, or irregular margins
Melanin
The pigment that imparts color to hair and skin.
Algor Mortis
The postmortem cooling of the body
Livor Mortis
The postmortem reddish discolouration of the body caused by the settling of red blood cells due to gravity
Accident avoidence strategy
The presumption that certain parties involved in an accident traveled at the legal speed and performed reasonably in all their actions, including braking, turning, and accelerating.
Hashish
The resin from marijuana that has been isolated from the plant material.
Successional Colonization
The process by which a body is colonized by a series of insects spaced out over time.
ADME
The process by which a drug moves through the body: adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
Chemiluminescence
The process by which light is emitted as a product of chemical reaction
Bioaccumulate
The process of substances building up over time in an organism
Total Magnification (TM)
The product of the eyepiece and objective lans magnification.
Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT)
The purposeful use of maggots on living patients to remove dead tissue.
LD 50
The quantity of a substance that kills 50% of the test population
Direct Examination
The questioning of a witness by the party who called him or her, in a trial
Modification Ratio (MR)
The ratio of the smallest circle that contains all the lobes of a noncircular fiber compared to the largest circle that can be drawn in the core of the fiber.
N11 and N1
The ration of the refractive indx in the parallel direction relative to that int he perpendicular direction.
Recoil
The rearward movement of a firearm resulting from firing
Postmortem Redistribution
The redistribution of drugs in the body that occurs after death
Allometry
The relationship between the size of a body part and the size of the entire body
Tire Tracks
The relative dimensions between two or more tires of vehicle.
Osteometry
The scientific measurement of the skeleton and of skeletal elements
Odontology
The scientific study of dental anatomy and biology of the teeth.
Forensic Taphonomy
The scientific study of postmortem processes applied to forensic problems
Osteology
The scientific study of skeletal anatomy and biology
Dot
The smallest component of printer output. Resolution is expressed in dots per inch or pixels per inch.
Vehicle
The solvent used in paint.
Forensic Pathology
The specialty of medicine and subspecialty of pathology dealing with investigating the causes of sudden and unexpected deaths
Muzzle velocity
The speed of the bullet when it exits the barrel.
Momentum
The state of motion of an object such as a car; calculated as the mass of the object multiplied by its velocity.
Pathology
The study of disease
Toxicology
The study of drugs and poisons in the body
The systems of science and the law have two different purposes. Summarize these in your own words.
The system of science begins with data and then hypothesizing. The adversarial system In other cases, what the scientists sees as black or white data may become more complex in the law's view Science is for evidence as for the law is to back that up good or bad
Flashpoint
The temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapors to form an ignitable mixture at its surface.
Fire Points
The temperature at which a liquid produces vapors that will sustain combustion
Criminalistics
The term to describe forensic analysis of physical evidence
Distal End
The tip of tip that is away from the root
Conduction
The transfer of heat via direct contact.
Secondary Transfer
The transfer of trace evidence from a location that was not the original crime scene to another location.
Furrows
The valleys between ridges in fingerprint pattern.
What is the primary value of fingerprints as evidence?
They are used to help locate, identify, and eliminate suspects in criminal cases
Recovery of human remains sometimes requires the skills of the forensic archaeologist. Name some of those skills and describe the situations in which those skills are likely to be applied?
They have to document how the remains are positioned. Their techniques are used to map a scatter pattern or to document the relationship between body parts and other evidence at the scene. Processing buried remains
What was the contribution of Watson and Crick to the understanding of DNA?
They proposed that the structure of DNA was a double helix.
What are systematic approaches to latent fingerprint enhancement?
This concept is probably followed by the most latent fingerprint examiners even if they do not identify it as much. The idea is to maximize the number of identifiable prints. The least destructive technique is applied fired and techniques are generally applied in a sequence that allows the maximum number to be used if necessary
Where is mitochondrial DNA found in the body?
This genetic material is known as mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA. Mitochondria are structures within cells that convert the energy from food into a form that cells can use. Each cell contains hundreds to thousands of mitochondria, which are located in the fluid that surrounds the nucleus (the cytoplasm).
What is the purpose of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)?
To link crimes, identify suspects, and investigating cold cases.
Watermark
Translucent design impressed into paper during manufracture. The design becomes visible when the paper is subjected to transmitted light and helps date a document.
Retread Tires
Tire carcass to which new tread rubber is added to produce a usable tire.
Elimination Vehicles
Tires from vehicles, including emergency vehicles, that may have inadvertently left tire impressions in the crime scene area.
Radial Ply
Tires in which the piles run straight across the tire, from bead to bead
Skidding
Tires moving across a surface without spinning.
Bias Belted
Tires that have plies running beneath the tread at an angle (bias) across the tire but with the addition of belts beneath the tread surface.
Pump Action
To open, slide forestock to rear, which extracts cartridge from chamber and ejects it To make sure unloaded, check both chamber and magazine
Purpose for testing tools
To reduce subjectivity of the clinical evaluation
Subpoena
To summon someone to court
Depth of Field (DF)
Total distance (height) above and below the point of focus that also appears clearly focused. The -- decreases with increase of numerical aperture (NA) and magnification
Magna Brush
Trademark version of magnetic brush that uses magnetic powders to enhance latent fingerprints.
What are the five crime scene investigation models? Describe them and give the advantage and disadvantage of each
Tradition: patrol officers and detectives (use if resources are low/minimal experience) Crime Scene Technicians : Specially trained full time civilian (specialization/minimal investigative experience) Major Crime Squad: Full time sworn officers (primary assignment/depletion of investigation resources) Lab Crime Scene Scientists: Lab scientists (superior technical and scientific skills/no investigative skills) Collaborative Team: Police officers and everyone (advanced in different areas/extensive resources)
Convection
Transfer of heat by a circulating medium such as air or water
Primary Transfer
Transfer of trace evidence from its original location to a different location.
What are the general guidelines for collection, packaging, and preservation of physical evidence?
Transient, fragile, or easily lost evidence should be collected first. If things are moved, then previous methods must be performed securing the evidence and packaging it
Heterozygosity
Two different alles at a specific genetic locus
Drug screens are usually performed on what specimen taken during an autopsy?
Urine
Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy/IR Spectroscopy
Use of the absorption of infrared radiation to produce a chemical fingerprint of a substance
Name one of the methods of ink differentiation for similar appearing inks.
Using a microscope to reveal subtle differences such as slight chance in shading or hue
Markers of Occupational Stress
Visible changes in bone size or shape resulting from overuse of certain muscles and joints.
Macroscopic examination
Visual examination generally performed with the unaided eye; used to identify class characteristics.
Grooves
Void areas that run around and across a tire between the design. Elements recessed areas of rifling.
What process is used by the trier-of-fact and the courts to determine if scientists is qualified to offer expert testimony in a given case?
Voir Dire
Dual Tire Impression
Wheel assembly with mounted next to each side of an axle.
Tire Tread Impressions
When a tire contacts a surface, it results in the transfer of the class characteristics of design and size and possibly wear and individual characteristics.
When is it necessary to confirm the identity of the controlled substance in plant material? Give an example.
When identifying plants or plant material, not the specific psychoactive ingredients
Prosecutorial Bias
Whether to prosecute charge recommended by police, to stay an ongoing proceeding, plea bargaining, or the taking over of a private prosecution
How would you package a single hair recovered from a scene?
With a certain tool and it would get packaged for less further inflation with the follicle
Describe the process of interpreting drug results in the context of pre-employment drug testing. Why is drug testing for employed individuals more difficult?
Workplace drug testing is usually conducted for the purpose of answering one of two questions. In the context of making a hiring decision, the question is whether or not the prospective employee is a drug addict. The other situation is when the behavior of an established employee in the workplace is erratic and suggestive of drug use
Are class characteristics or individual characteristics normally used to eliminate a shoe?
Yes because sometimes the difference in comparing shoes can be one small mark or groove
wipe pattern
a bloodstain pattern created when an object moves through an existing stain, removing it or changing its appearance
Expirated Pattern
a bloodstain pattern resulting from blood being forced out of the nose, mouth, or a wound by air pressure
Skeletonized Stain
a bloodstain that has been altered after a period of drying, leaving observable peripheral characteristics of the original stain
Asphyxia
a death that is caused by interference with the oxygenation of the brain
What is the area of origin?
a fire extends horizontally and vertically from its area of origin - area of origin is the fire related area in space where a fire started or where blood that resulted in a stain originated
List some common accelerants. Which is the common and why?
a flammable material that is used to start a fire. They can solid, liquids or gases, with gasoline being the most commonly used because gaseous accelerants do not leave any residue at a fire scene
Gunshot Wound
a form of physical trauma sustained from the discharge of arms or munitions
What information should accompany instrumental data?
a library of known spectra from traceable sources should be maintained for compound confirmation purposes
Document
a piece of written, printed, or electronic matter that provides information or evidence or that serves as an official record
When the WTC was designed what kind of possible aircraft accident was envisioned?
accidental impact by an airplane
What are "tread wear indicators," and how often must they appear around a tire?
also known as a wear bar, is a raised rubber bar that is 2/32 inch above the base of the tire grooves. all tires over 12 inches in diameter contain a minimum of 6 markers
Derrick Todd Lee
also known as the Baton Rouge Serial Killer, was an American serial killer. His killing spree began in 1992 and ended in 2003, and claimed the lives of seven women. Lee was linked by DNA tests to the deaths of seven women in the Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas in Louisiana, and in 2004 was convicted, in separate trials, of the murders of Geralyn DeSoto and Charlotte Murray Pace. The Pace trial resulted in a death sentence.
Heat-affected zone (HAZ)
an area of a base metal which, while not melted, still has had its chemical properties altered by high temperature heat.
Ligature
an object such as a belt, rope, or cord that is wrapped around the throat to cause asphyxia
Perimortem
at or near the time of death
What elements , when found in a spherical particle, are considered necessary to conclude that the particle is characteristic for a gunshot residue?
barium or antimony
What is working distance and how does it vary with objective magnifications?
because the distance from the lens to the objective can vary depending on size of objective and how much light there is
Why is it preferable to identify both urea and creatinine in suspected urine stains?
because they are found at high levels in urine, may be difficult to detect
Exsanguination
bleeding to death
Spatter Stain
bloodstains resulting from blood drops distributed through the air due to an external force applied to a source of liquid blood
List three quantition techniques in order from most specific to least specific.
botanical examinations chemical examinations micro-crystal test
List two wet chemical techniques that can be used as both screening tools and sample preparation techniques.
chemical color test microcrystalline tests thin layer chromatography liquid extraction
List three possible causes of false postive reactions with presumptive screening tests for blood.
chemical oxidants, plant materials, or materials or animal origin.
What is an example of a chemical method for enhancing latent fingerprints?
chemical techniques were silver nitrate, iodine fuming, ninhydrin
Describe the minimum qualifications for a clandestine lab chemist.
chemists act as crime scene advisors used to identify significant physical evidence as well as potentially hazardous chemicals and situations. Their analysis is also used to corroborate investigator information and establish the identity of the final products as well as manufacturing methods used to produce them
Identify the typical cases with which investigators will be involved when the computer is used as an instrument in criminal activity.
child pornography and solicitation, stalking and harassment, fraud, software piracy, gambling, drugs, unauthorized acess into other computer systems, denial-of-service attacks, data modification, embezzlement, identity theft, credut card theft, thedt of trade secrets and intellectual property, extortion, and terrorism.
What are three methods of metal analysis? Which is the optimal method and why?
colorimetric assays inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry -- the best and most modern March test
What determinations about a glass fracture can be made by macroscopic examination?
conchoidal lines. Careful examination of these characteristics can allow a criminalist to determine whether a window was broke from the inside in an attempt to disguise an inside job as a burglary
What are the two most important analytical tools that an engineer uses to evaluate a vehicular accident
conservation of momentum and conservation of energy
Microscopic Crime Scene
crime scene description based on the type of physical evidence present
What is a fire?
defined as the rapid oxidation process with the evolution of heat and light
What are the major challenges investigators confront with digital and electronic crime scene?
difficult to detect, a degree of anonymity, global nature, multijurisdictional issues, impersonation, location and recovery.
If improper driving is responsible for approximately two-thirds of all vehicular accidents, what is responsible for the other one-third?
drugs and alcohol
What is the purpose of making known impressions of a shoes during an examination?
during the examination made between a crime scene impression and suspects shoes, the examiner makes known impressions of the suspects footwear to assist in the evaluation and comparison of this evidence. It is used to assist the examiner in comparing the shoe directly with the crime scene impressions
Reconstruction Evidence
evidence of the events leading to, occurring during, and occurring after a crime is committed
Inculpatory Evidence
evidence that tends to implicate the accused party
True or False: Luminol is so sensitive that a postive reaction can be taken to prove that blood is present.
false, it lights up with other fluids too, bleach, semen, etc.
Federal Rules of Evidence
federal guidelines designed to guide federal courts in determining if scientific evidence is admissible
What information about a paint sample can be obtained by use of infared microspectrophotometry?
forensic paint analysis and comparisons for common origin are distinguished from those performed by industrial laboratories by the size of the samples submitted for characterization
When are blow fly eggs of most value?
from the time the legs are laid to the time they emerge from the pupa cases
WBCs (leukocytes)
function in immune defense, sources of DNA in blood
What are the characteristics that firearms examiners evaluate to match a projectile weapon?
gunshot residue analysis is to determine that the residue is indeed GSR and to ultimately place the discharging firearm into the hands of the shooter.
What is the value of visible microspectrophotometry for fiber comparisons?
hair examiners can often conclusively element a person as source of a hair, but rarely can an examiner absolutely associate a hair sample to a given individual
Give reasons for the absence of tails on spermatozoa on a microscope slide preparation.
have not yet completed the process for sperm maturation and are not yet spermatogonia
What two environmental factor are most important to consider in preserving blood evidence?
heat and humidity could be some, need to be at a correct temp
Cut rifling methods are ____, ____,and _____
hook cutting, scrape cutting, and broaching
List two disadvantages to wet chemical techniques.
in instances where multiple techniques must be used because there are multiple drugs of the same salt type mixed together so it could take longer
Eletrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA)
is a specialized piece of equipment commonly used in questioned document examination to reveal indentations or impressions in paper that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Psilocybin
is a tryptamine alkaloid, isolated from various genera of fungi including the genus Psilocybe, with hallucinogenic, anxiolytic, and psychoactive activities.
What characteristics separates microscopic evidence from other evidence?
is the sample size of evidence is in the milligram or microgram size ranges
Entomology
is the use of the insects, and their arthropod relatives that inhabit decomposing remains to aid legal investigations.
What is the Tread Design Guide, and how might it assist in an investigation with tire tread evidence?
it has photographs of most tires' designs. Investigators can use this to reference as and link a tread design from a crime scene to a particular design and a brand of tire
What is the DOT number on a tire, and what are two important pieces of information that it contains?
it is a number that shows where and when the tire was made. The date and where it was made
In a rifled gun barrel the raised areas are called _____, and the recessed areas are called _____
lands grooves
Describe the priniciple behind a presumptive test for blood (what is done and what it means).
leads the forensic examiner to strongly suspect blood is present in the tested sample if positive.
Where in the male reproductive tract is acid phosphatase produced?
lining the prostate gland
Describe and discuss the six types of search patterns used in crime scene investigations
link - just look in groups line or strip - searching one direction grid - having perpendicular searches zone - sectors of search wheel or ray - starting at a center point working out spiral methods - going in circles
serum
liquid portion of the blood that remains after clotting
What are the dynamic loads in a building?
loads or forces that change and usually produce motion
Live loads
loads that can sometimes change due to weather, occupancy, or building use.
Computer crime cases involve a level of complexity that requires the investigator to posses knowledge of both legal requirements and procedural requirements for effecting search and seizure of evidentiary material. Identify the most common mistakes made by the investigator.
maintaining the integrity of the original hard drive and ensuring that none of the data residing on the hard drive are modified by the software utilized to search for appropriate information. the imaged hard drive should also be duplicated for eventual defense motions regarding discovery of the data in the event the defense counsel wishes their forensic computer experts to review or perform independent analysis of the hard drive
List two plants that are considered controlled substances that require a botanical examination as part of the identification process.
marijuana, peyote, mushrooms, and opium
What is "track width"? Explain how it is measured.
measurement from the center of one wheel to the center of the opposite wheel on the same axle
Psilocin
naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug compound produced by more than 200 species of mushrooms,
The energetic material in a single-base smokeless powder is ______; the energetic materials in double-base smokeless powders are _____ and _____
nitrocellulose nitroglycerin
Beta-Amylase is found in plants. Will plant extracts or stains react with the Phadebas test? Why or why not?
no because the Phadebas test is only used to detect alpha-Amylase
What data are obtained from a paint sample by use of SEM/EDS?
not only can the ayer structure be further elucidate by the higher resolution and the atomic number contrast available but also elemental analysis can be performed with the x-ray spectrometer attached to the instrument
Where in the cell is DNA located?
nucleus.
What is meant by "development" or "enhancement" of a latent fingerprint?
processing of latent prints to render them visible and suitable for comparison is called development or enhancement
Secretors
people whose blood type antigens are also found in other body fluids
Name one of the methods for the recovery of indented writing.
photographs the use of electrostatic detection apparatus
In anaylzing a vehicular accident, reliance on verifiable physical evidence should be primary. Give examples of verifiable physical evidence.
police accident report , photographs of the accident scene and accident vehicles taken by the police or insurance adjusters, the accident vehicles that have been towed to a salvage lot, statement of the involved parties and witnesses
What fraction or type of mineral is of most value for soil comparisons?
pollen
Why should a bitstream copy of the original storage medium and an exact duplicate copy of the original disk be made?
possible viruses. to not contaminate the evidence, because of recovery of data.
What are the three areas covered by forensic toxicology?
post-mortem drug testing and workplace drug testing Toxicity of agents Organ systems and effects General principles and applied toxicology
The death rate in automobile accidents has been halved in almost three decades. How was this done?
regularly wearing seat belts, reduction in drunk driving, crashworthiness of cars and vehicles has improved
List two specific and two nonspecific instrumental tecniques.
specific -- mass/infrared spectroscopy nonspecific - melting point/ chemical color test
Discuss three uses for insect evidence in wildlife crimes.
shot wounds from being hunted, how animals sleep because insects and in-bed
Describe the process known as PCR or polymerase chain reaction.
simple steps required for any DNA synthesis reaction: (1) denaturation of the template into single strands; (2) annealing of primers to each original strand for new strand synthesis; and (3) extension of the new DNA strands from the primers.
satellite stains
smaller bloodstains that originate during the formation of the parent stain
Name and briefly describe four methods of enhancing footwear impressions
specialized lighting and photographic techniques are nondestructive and therefore a good first method of enhancement. Impressions that are photographed can be digitally enhanced. Digital enhancement methods are often used to further enhance impressions that have already been enhanced with photographic, physical, or chemical methods
Rigor Mortis
stiffening of the body after death due to the chemical breakdown of actin-myosin and depletion of gylcogen from muscles; a time dependent change that helps determine the time of death
Crime Scene Management
teamwork approach of investigators and crime scene personnel that successfully resolves a case
What stage of hair growth usually results in the loss of hair?
telogen stage
Constrast gas chromatography with and without a mass spectrometer detector. Describe the advantages of the latter technology.
the MS can provide a specific identification of a substance.
What is detonation and how is it different than a flame?
the action of causing a bomb or explosive device to explode and it is different that a flame because it is a ignited gas that is generated by something on fire
Angle of Impact
the acute angle formed between the direction of a blood drop and the plane of the surface it strikes
What is the most important factor in determining the resolving power of a microscope?
the analytical information about a sample
In this context, what is meant by the cause of the fire?
the cause of fire can determined through the careful inspection and analysis of any potential heat sources identified at or near the point off origin. The cause of fire can usually be categorized as one of four classifications: Accidental, explainable (may include negligent acts) Natural, act of nature (lightning) Incendiary, intentional act of setting a fire undetermined cause unknown, unable to be identified
What are biometric identifiers? How are fingerprints related to biometric identifiers?
the distinctive, measurable characteristics used to label and describe individuals. Fingerprints relate because every fingerprint is unique and fingerprints do not change during a lifetime
Why is polymerase chain reaction (PCR) important in DNA analysis?
the enzyme polymerase can stand the 95 degree celsius heat used to separate the two DNA strands (denaturation)
What is friction ridge skin? Where is it found on the human body?
the fingers, palms of the hands, and sole of the feet of humans. Characterized as complicated patterns of hills and valleys. Hills are called ridges and the valleys are called furrows
What information is required to estimate elapsed time since death using maggot evidence?
the insects, larvae, and maggots on the body and the flies that have left the body as well. The stages of the fly cycle
area of origin
the location of a blood source viewed in three dimensions as determined by projecting angles of impact of individual bloodstains
What are the three major portions of a hair or fur fiber?
the medulla - the middle the proximal end - the area at the root the distal end - the tip away from the root
What is an example of a physical method for enhancing latent fingerprints?
the most well known one is powder dusting -- a mainstay of latent fingerprint detection for a century or more
Define polymorphism.
the occurrence in a population of two or more genetically determined alternative phenotypes with frequencies greater than could be accounted for by mutation.
What does ACE-V mean?
the overall process an examiner uses is often abbreviated as ACE-V, which stands for analysis, compassion and evaluation that comprise the formal process followed by verification
What is the point of origin?
the point or spot within the area where the fire initially started. To identify the point of origin, one must evaluate the effects of the fire within the area of origin to identify the most severely damaged lowest point of origin
Name two tests considered confirmatory for the presence of semen.
the prostate-specific antigen test & Christmas tree stain/Picroindigocarmine (PIC)
Anthropometry
the scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body
Serum Stain
the stain resulting from the liquid portion of blood that separates after coagulation
What happens to steel when it is heated in an intense fire?
the steel loses approximately half of its tensile strength
What instrument is employed for the collection and the first evaluation of small evidence?
the stereo binocular microscope
Gatekeeper
the term used in relationship to the Daubert decision; the judge is designated as the one who determines admissibility under these rules thus the gatekeeper
What are the important factors for the reporting of refractive indices?
the wavelength and temperature can influence the RI
When the computer is a target of criminal activity, what types of cases is the investigator most likely to encounter?
theft, virus attack, malicious code, unauthized access, data modication, intellectual property and trade secrets, espionage to government computer systems, the computer as repository of criminal evidence, child pornography and child exploitation materials, stalking, unauthorized acess into other computer systems, fraud, software piracy, gambling, drugs, terrorism-attack plans, terrorism organizations' website recuiting plans, governement documents as a result of espionage activities, trade secrets, credit card numbers in fraud cases.
Platelets
tiny, disk-shaped bodies in the blood, important in blood clot formation
Differentiate between a tire impression and tire track.
tire impression is when a tire contacts a surface, resulting in the transfer of the class characteristics of design and size tire track is the relative dimensions between two or more tires of a vehicle
What information is required to estimate elapsed time since death using insect succession?
to use geographical and habitat specific research data. You can not use successional date from one area and apply it to a different area.
How is the total magnification of a microscope determined?
total magnification is the product of the OBJ magnification multiplied by EP magnification
RBCs (erythrocytes)
transport O2 and CO2
Jessica O' Grady
was an American college student who went missing in May 2006. Her boyfriend was tried and convicted of her murder, yet her body was never found due to the amount of her blood found at the scene.
Mia Zapata
was the lead singer for the Seattle punk band The Gits. After gaining praise in the nascent grunge rock scene, Zapata was murdered in 1993 while on her way home from a music venue. The crime went unsolved for a decade before her killer, Jesus Mezquia, was tried, convicted and sentenced to 37 years in prison due to DNA evidence.
What does the term "noise treatment" refer to?
when a tire turns under load, the tire tread blocks vibrate and produce harmonics or noise, and the tire industry has created tire designs that change the size (pitch) of the tread blocks around the tire, thus creating a variety of pitches. This and other factors that help reduce the noise a tire generates is called noise treatment
Some footwear impressions are latent or hardly visible. Do these impressions contain sufficient detail for examination?
yes because all impressions no matter what can potentially contain sufficient detail for meaningful examination result
Explain why it is important to document the positions of tire impressions at a crime scene, both photographically and otherwise.
yes because it will provide an examiner with more information and will likely result in a far better examination result
Should a cast be made of a three-dimensional tire impression, and if so, why?
yes because it will provide an examiner with more information and will likely result in a far better examination result
In the analysis of digital evidence, is it possible to recover deleted files? If so, describe the process one would have to consider using.
yes. bitstream copy analysis
