final exam forensic

FRE 401

"Relevance" is defined as that which has "any the tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence"

Which of the following is an example of class characteristic?

1. Color of a fiber 2. Diameter of a fiber 3. Chemical composition of a fiber 4. Cross sectional shape of a fiber

Which of the following are a part of the AAFS Code of Ethics?

1. Conduct must not contradict the academy's purposes 2. Do not misrepresent education or experience 3. Do not misrepresent data 4. Do not issue public statements on academy's behalf

Which type of photographs should be taken at a crime scene? Choose all that apply.

1. Including a scale 2. Without a scale 3. A perspective view 4. Midrange view

The following information is necessary to obtain an accurate PMI estimate from insect evidence:

1. Weather data 2. Specimens collected from the body 3. Specimens collected from soil and areas surrounding the body 4. Collection of adult flies and beetles

When should eye protection be worn?

1. When handling chemicals 2. When handling biological materials 3. When handling radioactive materials

How many years of school does it typically take to become a forensic pathologist or medical examiner?

14

Approximately how many forensic science laboratories are there in the US?

400

What is the chain of custody?

A list of all people who came into possession of an item of evidence

what is it like When a firearm is fired?

A mini explosion

What could be the outcome if a negative control is not done?

A person could be falsely accused.

What is Quality Control?

A set of processes and procedures put in place in a laboratory to be followed by personnel so that a desired level of quality can be achieved

What is Quality Assurance

A set of processes that can evaluate a laboratory and its personnel to determine if they are achieving or maintaining a given level of quality

What organization has come up with a Code of Ethics used in most crime laboratories?

AAFS

Which forensic organization accredits crime laboratories?

ASCLD-Lab

American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors - Lab Accrediting Board (ASCLD/LAB )

Accredits crime laboratories

American Board of Criminalists (ABC)

Accredits forensic scientists

What stage of decomposition is after bloat?

Active decay

Post mortem

After death

What is body cooling after death?

Algor Mortis

FRE 402

All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution of the US, by act of Congress, by these rules, or by other rules prescribed by the Supreme Court pursuant to statutory authority. Evidence which is not relevant is not admissible

FRE 403

Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its NOT probative; meaning the value of the evidence is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence

What is the main reason why human and animal bones are different?

Animals walk on 4 legs

Which means "before death"?

Antemortem

What is the least common fingerprint pattern?

Arch

Cold Search

Assumes that perpetrator has fled scene

Hot Search

Assumes that perpetrator is still in vicinity of crime scene

Peri mortem

At or near the time of death

Ante mortem

Before death

The West "Brothers" was the end to which of the following...

Bertillonage

What is the difference between Bio and Geo Taphonomy?

Bio examines the body changes from decomposition and geo examines the environmental effects from decomposition

What is the first insect that arrives to decomposing remains?

Blow fly

What does a clinical pathologist use to study disease?

Bodily fluid

Which type of evidence does criminalistics NOT include?

Bones

A wet bloody shirt should be packaged in what type of container?

Brown, paper bag

What document authenticates the evidence and tracks the item from the time of collect to the court room?

Chain of custody

What is the first thing done when analyzing a firearm?

Checked for safety

Types of bias

Cognitive bias Contextual bias Confirmation bias

What is the most common method of simultaneously compare impression evidence?

Comparison microscope

Which of the following is NOT a type of bias?

Complex

I am having an issue with Top Hat. What do I do?

Contact Top Hat technical support: [email protected] or 1-888-663-5491

Which of the following does NOT effect the transfer of evidence?

Contamination of the transferred material

The __ structure is affected when serial numbers are stamped in metal.

Crystal

What happened and what was the outcome of the Daubert case?

Daubert took Bendectin (an antiemetic during pregnancy) Baby born with birth defects Daubert sues Merrill Dow for toxic tort. Way to Determine Scientific Validity, Testability, Peer Review, Error Rates, General Acceptance

What is analyzed in printed documents, i.e. copier, computer printer, typewriter

Defects

What is included in a pathology report?

Demographic Information Circumstantial Summary Microscopic Examination External and Internal Examination

Name a federal organization that has a forensic laboratory

Department of Justice Department of Treasury Department of Interior US Postal Service Department of Homeland Security

First Officer on scene should do what

Detain potential suspects Render medical assistance to those in need Refrain from destroying, altering, and/or adding any evidence at the scene Prevent others from destroying, altering, and/or adding any evidence at the scene

Which is least likely done by a firearms examiner?

Determine is someone recently fired a weapon

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Develop standards that make sure things work; ensure quality, safety and efficiency

American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS)

Developed a code of ethics followed by most forensic science laboratories and scientists

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC)

Develops and endorses a forensic science consensus documentary standards and guidelines, and to ensure that a sufficient scientific basis exists for each discipline.

Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC)

Develops and to maintains standards and to administer an accreditation program that recognizes and distinguishes high-quality undergraduate and graduate forensic science programs

American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM)

Develops technical standards for a range of materials, products, systems and services

What happened and what was the outcome of the Frye case?

Difficult to determine when a scientific technique crosses over from experimental to reliable. Became law in U.S. Federal courts from 1923 to 1976.

Which of the following departments within the U.S. government does NOT administer a forensic laboratory?

Education

Which FRE specifies the type of testimony acceptable from a lay witness?

FRE 701

A car used in a bank robbery leaks motor oil from the crankcase. Oil found at the crime scene can be traced to car used.

False

A forensic scientist in a crime lab must be a sworn officer

False

A forensic scientist's job is to help persuade the jury.

False

A publicly funded lab receives their funding by charging for their services

False

A questioned document examiner can determine the age of the writer.

False

A single human hair can be matched to a particular person even if the root is not present

False

A single textile fiber can be traced to a particular pair of blue jeans.

False

All forensic scientists who work in a crime lab are required to be certified by the American Society of Crime Lab directors

False

Bite marks are analyzed on dead people only.

False

Facial reconstruction can be used to positively identify an individual.

False

Fingerprint analysis is done before handwriting examination.

False

If one fingerprint is laid down onto another, it is possible to separate them

False

If you identify a piece of evidence that also indicates you have individualized the evidence.

False

It is usually possible to determine the time since death of a body within 15 minutes

False

Polygraphs are commonly used in criminal cases.

False

You can determine the age of a person within 5 years by examining hairs on the head

False

Which is worst a false positive or a false negative?

False Positive

Name an age range term common for grouping age of remains. For example, 0-3 year is infant.

Fetal Infant Child Adolescent Young adult Adult old adult

Which type of evidence can be individualized?

Fiber

Which of the following are you NOT likely to see within a full service crime lab?

Forensic Psychology

What does forensic mean, "literally"?

Forum

Put the stages of decomposition in the correct order.

Fresh Bloat Active decay Advance decay Dry/ remains

What are the 2 types of Taphonomy?

Geotaphonomy and Biotaphonomy

What do document examiners do most of the time?

Handwritting analysis

Which is the correct order to process a crime scene?

I. Collect Evidence II. Photograph Evidence III. Preliminary Survey IV. Reconstruction of the Scene

FRE 702

If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the Trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, by a witness; qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training or education, may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise

What is the first question a forensic anthropologist needs to answer?

If the material is bone

FRE 701

If the witness is not testifying as an expert, the witness' testimony in the form of opinions or inferences is limited to those opinions or inferences which are (a) rationally based on the perception of the witness, and (b) helpful to a clear understanding of the witness' testimony or the determination of fact in issue, and (c) not based on scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge within the scope of Rule 702.

the mark is created from above/perpendicular to the surface

Impressions

6th Amendment

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed

Contextual Bias

Influenced by clues surrounding the topic be not the content itself

What is an example of an erasure?

Ink bleaching

What are the ethical issues that forensic scientists deal with?

Laboratory Analytical Procedures Professional Credentials Reporting and Interpretation

Striations formed on the bullet are made from what interior part of the firearm?

Land

What type of fingerprints need to be developed?

Latent prints

What level is not sufficient for identification?

Level 1

What is Locard's principle?

Locard's exchange principle holds that the perpetrator of a crime will bring something into the crime scene and leave with something from it, and that both can be used as forensic evidence.

What is the most common friction ridge pattern?

Loop

What is a microtome used for?

Make thin slices of tissue

Which of the following is considered a public forensic lab in Indianapolis?

Marion County Forensic Services Agency

What was the first field that did forensics?

Medicine

What tool is used to make thin cross sections of tissue?

Microtome

Maggots (nymphs) grow by ____, which produces a new __.

Molting; instar

Why are forensic anthropology cases rare?

Most people that die are recovered soon after death

Why are forensic anthropology cases rare?

Most people that die are recovered soon after death.

Trace evidence is transferred from a surface to a shoe

Negative impression

Which develop method works best on porous surfaces, such as paper?

Ninhydrin

How do we see invisible fingerprints?

Ninhydrin, black powders, and Superglue fuming

5th Amendment

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury

Testimony is an example of which type of evidence?

Non-physical evidence

If the crime scene is the suspect's residence, how important are his fingerprints on the front door knob?

Not important and not collected

Plan of Action

Obtain a search warrant Discuss search with involved personnel before arriving at scene Establish a command station, for communication and decision making, away form the scene but within the secured perimeter Make personnel task assignments before arriving at scene May be assigned multiple responsibilities Communication is necessary for smooth, successful crime scene processing

A fingerprint made from oil on a bumper would be an example of which type of print?

Patent

What is the best bone to determine sex of the individual?

Pelvic bone

The Code

Personal and professional conduct must not contradict the academy's interests and purposes Do not misrepresent education, training, experience, or area of expertise Do not misrepresent data used for the basis of an expert opinion Do not issue public statements on behalf of the academy

What device are you using today?

Phone

Trace evidence is transferred from a shoe to a surface

Positive impression

Bias

Preference for or against a person, thing, group, idea or behavior Base upon our own experiences; can't just turn off Scientific methods are designed to prevent or reduce bias Forensic science has an increased possibility for bias due to the professionals involved

FRE 104a

Preliminary questions concerning the qualifications of a person to be a witness, the existence of a privilege, or the admissibility of evidence shall be determined by the cour

Where were fingerprints first used in the US?

Prisons

Which bone is most likely use to determine age?

Pubic symphysis

Which bone is most likely used to determine age?

Pubic symphysis

What are the two grouped stages of decomposition?

Putrefaction and Autolysis

set of processes to evaluate a lab & its personnel to see if quality is being achieved & maintained

Quality Assurance

set of processes/procedures put in place to be followed to achieve a certain level of quality

Quality Control

An impression involves a donor and a:

Recipient

Which of the following is an example of class evidence?

Red nylon fiber from the carpet at the crime scene

What is the most important task of the first responder to a crime scene?

Render medical assistance

What is used is comparison of ante and post mortem dental records?

Restorations Tooth Pulp Space between teeth

Final Survey

Review all aspects of the search A final walk-through of the scene by at least two people is a must Crime scene can be released after the final survey Document the time and date of release, to whom and by whom the scene was released

What type of firearm doesn't expel cartridge casings?

Revolver

In the early stages of PMI, what is used to aid the pathologist in a PMI determination?

Rigor mortis Livor mortis Algor mortis

Confirmation Bias

Search for and use only information that supports a belief or hypothesis

What evidence is considered unknown?

Semen stain on the sofa

In Daubert v. Merrill Dow, what do both the plaintiff and the defendant used to assess if Bendectin contributed to birth defects?

Statistics

Which is a private forensic laboratory in Indianapolis?

Strand Laboratories

the mark is created along/parallel to the surface

Striation

What is the first thing that should be done at a crime scene where impression evidence is found?

Take photos and video of the impression/scene

Cognitive Bias

Tend to think a certain way which leads to judgement and decision making

What are blind tests?

Tests in which information about the test is kept hidden from the participant

Which has the largest effect on determining PMI?

The environmental temperature of remains

Could a bullet fired from a rifled weapon be individualized to by a cartridge found at a crime scene?

The evidence can be individualized by a test based on pattern matching.

FRE 703

The facts or data in the particular case upon which an expert bases an opinion or inference may be those perceived by or made known to the expert at or before the hearing. If of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the particular field in forming opinions or inference upon the subject, the facts or data need not be admissible in evidence.

4th Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in the persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures

Which of the following is true of forensic scientists who work in a crime lab? (Choose the most correct answer.)

They are considered to be expert witnesses when testifying in court.

Which can be individualized?

Tire Tread

What is the purpose of facial reconstruction?

To use through media so hopefully someone recognizes the individual

Name a branch of forensic science

Toxicology

A burglar bites into a piece of cheese while ransacking a house. The bitemark in the cheese can be matched to the burglar's teeth

True

An accurate post-mortem interval (time since death) by examination of insect populations that have invaded the body

True

Direction (N) needs to be included on a crime scene sketch.

True

If I answer a Top Hat question incorrectly, I will have the opportunity to attempt the question again when my instructor opens the questions for re-submission one week prior to each exam.

True

If the numbering doesn't match the evidence, the evidence would not be allowed in the courtroom.

True

If you have a mixture of blood from two different people, you are able to distinguish two DNA profiles.

True

Indiana State Police is considered a public lab

True

Is DNA evidence is included in criminalistics?

True

One can find seminal fluid or blood stains with a "black light"

True

When an item is individualized it is put into a group of one.

True

What type of laboratory would perform analysis of specialized evidence, such as entomology?

University Forensic Laboratory

Which laboratory would likely perform forensic entomology testing?

University forensic laboratory

Which of the following is a requested writing exemplar?

Witnessed writing sample

Which of the following is a privately funded laboratory?

Wolfe Forensic Engineering

Do you think ABC Certification should be required for all analysts? (Opinion)

Yes

Unknown or Questioned evidence means...

You don't know the source (origin) of the evidence

crime-scene investigation include

crime committed, location, items used, people involved

seard methods

grid, line, zone, spiral