Forensic Science Chapter
The term "forensics" is derived from the Latin term "forensus" which means:
"of the forum"
There is a femur bone found in a shallow grave. Forensic scientists measure the bone and find it to be 35.2 cm. How tall would this person be if it were from a male? Male H = femur length x 2.23 + 69.08
147.6cm
If it takes 23 hours for an egg to go to first instar at 70 degrees F, what is the correct ADH?
1610 ADH
If it takes 23 hours for the egg of a Green Bottle fly to develop into the first instar stage at 70°F, and 27 hours for the 1st instar to develop into the 2nd instar at the same temperature, calculate the total ADH.
3500 ADH
In which century did Forensic Science first begin?
3rd
STR analysis is used in the lab to visualize DNA. It uses short, repeated sequences of DNA to produce a DNA fingerprint. In the sequence below, how many repeats are present? ACGACGACGACGACG
5
By photographing the crime scene, the investigator is able to provide all of the following to the judge and jury except
A "to scale" drawing of the scene.
A person with blood type AB can receive blood from which of the following blood types?
A, B and O
You have gathered some blood evidence from a crime scene and you type the blood. You get the following results: clumping in Anti-A serum clumping in Anti-B serum clumping in Anti-D serum What is the blood type of the sample?
AB Positive
Blood evidence has to be tested to determine if it is human blood. The confirmatory test for human blood is
ABA Hematrace test
When entomologists use insects to determine PMI (postmortem interval), they must consider environmental conditions. These environmental conditions include
All of the above (exposure of body, presence of rain, temperature)
Which of the following branches of Forensic Science would use characteristics of guns to determine weapons used at a crime scene?
Ballistics
The process of where the body breaks down a substance so that it can be eliminated by the body is called
Biotransformation
The Phadebas/RSID test is used as a presumptive test for detecting the enzyme amylase. A positive test for amylase will cause a ________ after adding the Phadebas tablet.
Blue color change
What phrase describes a location that places donated deceased individuals in different environments and then records multiple types of data to describe the decomposition of the body?
Body Farm
You are an intern at a digital forensics lab. Your supervisor asks you to reseach CODIS, a database that you will be using often in the lab. You are excited because you learned all about CODIS in your forensics class! Which of the following is NOT true of CODIS?
CODIS is an acronym for Criminal DNA Index System and contains the DNA of all convicted felons.
You are touring a forensics lab and overhear a chemist discussing the stationary phase and the mobile phase of a test she is conducting. She states that she is waiting for baseline resolution before conducting the next test. She is most likely referring to ...
Chromatography
When a paint chip found on a hit-and-run victim's garment is examined side-by-side with paint removed from a vehicle suspected of being involved in the incident, this is an example of what?
Comparison
Making a guess when trying to explain how a crime scene was created is called__________________________.
Conjecture
When items of evidence have individual characteristics, this can lead to a determination of common origin (i.e., the conclusion that they are from a single source). Which type of evidence cannot yield such results?
Cotton fibers on victim
Which of the following is NOT a role of a forensic botanist?
Create a toxicology profile using blood from the victim
During the course of a trial, the defense suggests that the fiber evidence used to match the car used to transport stolen goods (and thus bring charges against the owner of that car) were not collected properly. Who will the prosecutor most likely bring in to testify regarding that defense strategy?
Crime Scene Invesetigator
During the course of a trial, the defense suggests that the fiber evidence used to match the car used to transport stolen goods (and thus bring charges against the owner of that car) were not collected properly. Who will the prosecutor most likely bring in to testify regarding that defense strategy?
Crime Scene Investigator
What is the name of a common poison used for executions that causes a bright cherry red blood?
Cyanide
Digital evidence can be stored or transmitted in binary form. Which of the following locations would you LEAST likely be able to extract digital evidence as a forensic scientist?
DNA
Which of the following is true about the collection of evidence at a crime scene?
Each piece of evidence must be packaged in a separate container with a detailed label.
Which of the following correctly orders the life cycle of a blowfly?
Egg -> Larva -> Pupa -> Adult
Insects are mostly found with remains outside of a structure (such as a house) because insects are not likely to be present inside a house and decomposing remains are not a valuable food source to insects adapted to live inside a structure.
False
Which of the following branches of Forensic Science would identify sex, age, and height from human remains?
Forensic Anthropology
The suspect claims that he was never at the scene of the crime. The evidence says different. The pollen rain suggests that a truck of his size was there. There were also seed pods that were found on his tires, that had to be from the scene of the crime; because the DNA in them matched the DNA of one of the trees there, perfectly. This is just some of the evidence that pinpoints him to the crime scene. Which forensic expert witness likely provided this testimony?
Forensic Botanist
You analyze two samples, and exemplar and an signature unknown sample, and conclude that there are differences in line quality, connecting strokes, pen lifts, starts and stops and retouching. What is the best conclusion based on these observations?
Forged Signatures/Writing by Freehand
Which tool is sometimes referred to as a "wet bench" because the chemicals used (solvents, corrosives, etc) are often liquid, and is essential for the safety of the forensics lab?
Fume Hood
The most widely used confirmatory tests for toxins and poisons is
Gas Chromatography
The analysis of _________________________ can give you information about a person's most recent past.
Hair and fingernails
Why is it important to collect controls at the crime scene?
In order to have something to compare potential evidence found at the crime scene to
A local crime lab is offering training sessions for law enforcement in the area. Which of the following descriptions would most likely be used for the seminar led by the medical examiner?
In this seminar, we will learn about ballistics and tool marks as present in the wound patterns of a body.
A substance that requires you to ingest a large amount for it to be lethal is called a(n)
Intoxicant
Which of the following evidences is an example of individual characteristics?
Irregular edges of a broken knife
Why is it important to make sure to include signatures of all people that have had contact with a piece of evidence as well as the reason for the contact?
It is important to establish the chain of custody to show that the evidence has not been contaminated.
Take a look at this picture. (fingerprints) What department in the crime lab would analyze this evidence?
Latent Evidence
Second level details use friction ridge features on each fingerprint to aid in identification. These features are collectively called______.
Minutiae
At a crime scene investigation, when the investigator is documenting notes, all of the following rules are correct except..
No names of people should be included in order to protect their privacy
The universal blood donors for the ABO system are type
O
Which of the following branches of Forensic Science would involve a dentist?
Odontology
The two methods for alcohol elimination include
Oxidation and excretion
Once DNA is collected at a crime scene, it must be processed in the lab. If there is a limited quantity of DNA available, what step must the technician take in this process?
PCR is used to amplify the DNA.
_____prints are clearly visible on surfaces and can be made by someone with paint or blood on their hands.
Patent
IN medical and forensic science a ________test tells you if a substance is present on a surface.
Presumptive Test
A bloodstain pattern where the blood has been released under pressure as opposed to being formed from an impact with an object is called____.
Projected Blood Spatter
When the crime scene investigators arrive at the crime scene, the first step is to
Protect and secure the crime scene
Here is an actual episode description of CSI: Crime Scene Investigators. Based on what you know about the role of a CSI, which sentence(s) in the episode description DO NOT accurately depict the responsibilities of a CSI? MORE THAN ONE ANSWER MAY BE CHOSEN.
Russell makes a break in the case when he solves an anagram that was engraved under a victim's skin, leading them to Jake and Matthew Chapman. After learning that CSI Morgan and Ellie Brass have both been taken captive by their still unknown murder suspect, the CSIs race to piece the clues together and solve the case before it's too late. Fortunately, the CSIs uncover that she was the one responsible for the murders and arrive in time to subdue and arrest Ellie.
Determining when a person entered or left a crime scene is an example of
Specific Event Reconstruction
When a re-enactment of an entire event is created it is called______________________.
Specific Incident Reconstruction
_______________________ is a re-enactment of the entire event that is under investigation. Connections are made between the sequence of events and the evidence.
Specific Incident Reconstruction
Analyzing blood spatter evidence and trying to decide what type of weapon was used in a crime is an example of
Specific Physical Evidence Reconstruction
Using techniques such as pattern analysis when looking at blood splatter would be a part of __________________________.
Specific Physical Evidence Reconstruction
Prior to each cell division, the DNA must replicate. If one strand of DNA has the base sequence, ATCGCC, the complementary (matching) side will be
TAGCGG
During a crime scene reconstruction an investigator must compare known samples of evidence with unknown samples collected from the crime scene. This process is known as ____________________.
Testing
The test that was created in 1836 to detect arsenic is called the
The Marsh Test
Once the investigators arrive at the crime scene, and they protect and secure the area, what is the next step in the investigation?
The investigators should observe and document the scene.
The crime scene unit also turns up a bullet lodged into the back of the chimney. After examining the bullet, an expert reports that the bullet was shot from a Smith and Wesson revolver. Choose all of the following statements that would support this conclusion.
The number of lands and grooves are characteristic of a particular product from a specific manufacturer. Five lands and grooves twisting to the right are observed on the bullet.
Skeletal characteristics of the remains: 1. There is one set of teeth with the skull. The teeth indicate poor dental care and mineral deficiencies. 2. Several of the rib bones are broken inward, toward the chest/abdominal cavity. 3. The pubic arch is wide and the distance between the ischium bones is larger than average. 4. Four arm bones and two leg bones are missing. No indications of damage on the remaining and arm and leg bones. 5. The height of the individual based on the femur is estimated to be 155 cm.
The skeleton belonged to an adult female, possibly from an earlier time period or possibly one who lived for some time in poverty, who died of some type of compression or fall, and whose skeleton was disturbed by animals after death.
Investigators are called to investigate a possible arson. They collect some clothing from this crime scene. How should the investigators package this evidence?
They should make sure to package it in an airtight container.
The duty of the first officer on the scene is:
To preserve life and property and to prevent contamination
In a rough crime scene sketch, what is the purpose of the two fixed points that you are to choose when completing a sketch?
To provide a reference point when including the actual placement of the evidence
Carpet Beetles, Rove Beetles, Carrion Beetles, Hister Beetles, and Black Scavenger Flies are known as "insects of death".
True
The only blood type that does not have any antigens on the red blood cells is
Type O
A person with the blood type O negative can receive blood from which of the following?
Type O negative
Chain of custody is a procedure used in crime scene investigations to:
Verify every person who handled or examined the evidence
This tissue is very slow to decay so it will retain toxins longer than any other organ, It is also called "eyeball fluid".
Vitreous humor
The principle of individuality forms the basis for handwriting analysis. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of that principle and NOT a principle of the scientific analysis of handwriting?
Your handwriting reveals your personality through characteristics such as slant and embellishments.
Which of the following terms refers to the cooling of a body after death
algor mortis
Why is it important to sketch out the crime scene?
all of the above
If one of your parents is blood type A and the other is blood type B, which of the following blood types would you likely be?
any of the ABO blood types
Human remains were found near the banks of a local river. The body had undergone major decay so that only the skeleton remained. It was found that the humerus was 34.9 centimeters. If the standard calculation for height (in cm) based on the humerus is H = humerus length x 2.97 + 73.57, how tall would this human be if it were male?
approximately 177 cm
Which of the following is not a role of the crime scene investigator?
arrest suspects
What type of firearm will continue to fire and expend cases as long as the trigger is depressed and ammunition is available
automatic
Evidence is logged into the crime lab and it consists of a fired bullet and bullet casings. Which department in the crime lab would be tasked with analyzing this evidence?
ballistics
Biometric Databases exist for each of the following except:
body odor
Which field of forensics would involve using pollen grains to determine place/time of year of a crime scene?
botanist
A body is found in the woods and all you have left to analyze are bones and teeth. Explain what isotopes would be helpful to you as you seek to identify these remains and match them to a missing person's report. How would these isotopes help in the identification of this person?
carbon-12, carbon-13, nitrogen-14, and nitrogen-15
Three-dimensional structure which can provide a positive reproduction of the footwear.
casting
A forensic scientist receives an unknown liquid. Upon close observation, it appears there may be small objects floating in the liquid. What tools would use density to separate components of the liquid by spinning the liquid?
centrifuge
What type of instrument is used to magnify tool mark impressions and allow two pieces of evidence to be viewed side by side
comparison microscope
The initial guess that a crime scene reconstructionist would make when working to reconstruct a scene is called_____________.
conjecture
Made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive
counterfeiting
There are five steps in crime scene reconstruction. The first step is _____________________.
data collection
carrion
dead decaying flesh of an animal
biological profile
determination fo age, sex, ancestry, and stature form skeletal remains
Which of the following evidence would a forensic botanist use to determine if a victim has been killed by drowning:
diatoms
Which of the following is one of the two classes of important insects used in forensics?
diptera
All of the following are components of a rough sketch except
drawn to scale
Which of the following causes of death would best be supported by the presence of diatoms in the victim?
drowning
Identification stamps or logos are used to solve crimes and are found on:
drug tablets
Which field of forensics would use insects to determine time of death?
entomologist
What will the examiner need from the family to complete an analysis?
exemplar
known sample
exemplar
pollen rain
expected production and dispersal patterns of spores and pollen for a given area
A questioned document is any signature, handwriting, typewriting, or other mark whose source or authenticity is in dispute or doubtful. The document must be on paper to be considered a questioned document.
false
All medical examiners are trained forensic pathologists.
false
Analysts will look most closely at the newest tools, as newer tools (released most recently from a factory and with the least use) increase the potential for individualization.
false
Animal hairs have never been used to solve crimes as they very much resemble human hairs.
false
Entomology is the study of pollen.
false
Indented writing is when someone writes on top of another sheet of paper and the pressure of the pen transfers to the paper below. It is possible to lightly rub the indented paper with pencil to reveal the writing.
false
The suspect tools will be fitted into any tool marks present on the skeleton to see if it is a match.
false
Tree rings indicate the age of a tree, but are not useful in solving crimes.
false
If the postcards did NOT come from Linda Sohus, which expert conclusion would help support further investigation into this case?
forgery by freehand
A false representation of a matter of fact—whether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of what should have been disclosed—that deceives and is intended to deceive another so that the individual will act upon it
fraud
The likelihood of finding class physical evidence is _____ the likelihood of finding physical evidence with individual characteristics.
greater than
The rifled barrel has a series of spiral cutouts that include ___________________ or depressions and __________________________ or raised areas.
grooves and lands
When a forensic analyst determines the chemical composition of a preparation that may contain illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or barbiturates, this is an example of what?
identification
Any mark made in a softer surface by a harder implement or tool is called
impression evidence
If the laboratory can piece together broken glass from a window or headlight, then the evidence has _____ characteristics.
individual
For all of the following types of evidence, indicate whether the evidence is likely to display individual or class characteristics: A well-developed and collected latent fingerprint Random striations on a discharged bullet A footwear impression with irregular and random wear patterns Irregular edges of a broken knife fitted together
individual characteristic
Saying that every piece of evidence is unique is using the forensic process of _____________________.
individualization
Creating a reconstructive theory is the _______________step in the crime scene reconstruction process.
last
Comparison of documents made using a machine, such as typewriters, photocopiers, and computer printers, in which the specific machine used is analyzed for differences
mechanical comparisons
What level of education is required of a medical examiner?
medical degree
The inner part of the hair that gives it flexibility and is in the middle of the hair shaft is called the
medulla
How will the initial comparisons be done?
naked eye or hand lens
In order to be an isotope the element would have to have a different number of
neutrons
Isotopic analysis is an exciting new field of forensics and can help investigators solve crimes from long ago. But the field has some limitations and concerns. Which of the following is NOT an area of concern in this field?
new technology is helping scientists analyze samples
Which type of a crime scene is more susceptible to environmental loss and damage?
outdoor
Which profession would study pollen and particulate matter?
palynologist
Which profession in the field in forensics would be most likely to perform an autopsy?
pathologist
Conducting ballistics testing and then analyzing your results would be using a technique called
pattern analysis
Which part of the skeleton is most often used to determine the sex of a body found at a crime scene?
pelvis
diatom testing
performed to determine if a victim drowned and time of death, present in fresh water
All of the following should be included in the notes taken by the crime scene investigator except
photographs of the scene
What principle will provide the basis for the evaluation of the handwriting found on the post card?
principle of individuality
plant succession
process of change in the species structure of ecological community over time
What is the appropriate first step in a crime scene investigation?
protect and secure the scene
Which of the following evidences is an example of individual characteristics?
random striations on a bullet
Reconstruction of a crime scene involves the analysis of lots of evidence. It is the job of the forensic investigator to determine what is really evidence and what was collected but is not important to the crime. The term used in scene reconstructions to describe this process is called_____________________.
recognition
The method used to support a likely sequence of events by observing and evaluation physical evidence and witness statements is
reconstruction
Which of the following body changes occurs to a corpse first? eyes liquify, dehydration, rigor mortis, putrefaction
rigor mortis
The Brentamine spot test is a presumptive test for
seminal fluid
The two main goals of a chemist in a forensic lab is separation/isolation of chemicals in an unknown substance and identification of each chemical in an unknown substance. Which of the following tools would be the best choice for identification of a chemical?
spectrometers
Which of the following is NOT a crime scene search pattern?
square
accumulated degree hour (ADH)
tecnique used to measure a fly development in a corpse; used to determine TOD
The written record of all of the individuals who have had any contact with the evidence is called
the chain of custody
All of the following are stages in the Blowfly life cycle except
the cocoon stage
species succession
the order in which species show up on remains; for example, some species show up on a fresh corpse
anatomical positioning
the position with the body erect with arms at the sides and palms forward
Forensic Facial Recognition
the process in which forensic scientists work with artists to recreate the face of an individual
Universal System of ID for Teeth
the standard system developed by the American Dental Association
palynology
the study of particulate in the air (such as pollen)
postmortem interval (PMI)
the time since death
Why do tire treads and shoe soles only produce class evidence?
they are mass produced with few variations
Which field of forensics would involve detecting drugs and poison at a crime scene?
toxicologist
Gun shot residue, hair fibers found on a car seat and glass found on the floor board of a car would be examples of_______.
trace evidence
A bloodstain with no DNA-containing cells is an example of class evidence
true
Can video be used to document the scene?
true
Computers can be used to reconstruct events such as traffic accidents.
true
Nothing about hair is comparable to the specificity of fingerprints
true
The female ilium and public arch are wider than a male ilium and pubic arch.
true
The skeleton will be examined for a single point impression or striations indicative of movement across a surface by a tool.
true
To forensic investigators, recognition means they must recognize the real evidence of the scene that is associated with the crime from other things that are not evidence.
true
forensic entomologist
use their knowledge of insect life cycles to answer questions about a crime scene
Identification of Victim by Teeth
victims may be identified by radiographs of dental records or by DNA found in teeth
Ballistics is the study of
weapons and markings at a crime scene
Measures from the front center of a tire to the back center of a tire.
wheelbase
Which of the following is NOT a clue that would likely be gathered from an individual skeleton found separated from his/her normal environment?
who the person knew
You are trying to figure out when a person arrived on the scene and when they left the scene. Analyzing this part of the reconstruction means that you are
working on specific event reconstruction
The name for a collection of criminal cases of the first forensic science case where a woman claimed her husband died in a fire
yi yu ji
