forensics final study guide
When using PCR to study DNA, primers attach to the exposed base pairs and begin to form double-stranded DNA. What stage of the process does this MOST accurately describe? extension denaturization annealing hybridization
annealing
Horatio determines that a bomb used low explosives. What can the investigators MOST likely conclude based on this information? TNT was used. Dynamite was used. Black powder was used. Vapor concentration was used.
Black powder was used.
Theo is performing a forensic autopsy. What is he MOST likely to do first in this process? Collect hair samples from the body. Remove all organs from the body. Weigh the brain and record the data. Weigh the brain and record the data.
Collect hair samples from the body.
Jimmy doesn't understand the relationship between genes, chromosomes, and DNA. How would a scientist BEST explain these relationships? DNA makes up genes; genes are found on chromosomes. Genes make up DNA; chromosomes are found on genes. Chromosomes make up DNA; genes are found on DNA. DNA makes up chromosomes; chromosomes are found on genes.
DNA makes up genes; genes are found on chromosomes.
Katarina is doing a presentation on Dr. Bill Bass. What is she MOST likely to learn from her research for this presentation? Dr. Bass conducted the first forensic autopsy. Dr. Bass investigated the serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Dr. Bass founded the "Body Farm" to study decomposition. Dr. Bass was the first forensic scientist to conduct a virtual autopsy.
Dr. Bass founded the "Body Farm" to study decomposition.
Compare fires to explosions. What is one main difference between these two occurrences? Fires release energy less rapidly than explosions do. Fires always involve hydrocarbons; explosions never involve hydrocarbons. Fires have a stronger blast effect than most explosions do. Fires leave some trace evidence; explosions leave no trace evidence.
Fires release energy less rapidly than explosions do.
Detective Martinez explains that fires often behave in predictable ways. How is this MOST likely demonstrated? Fires typically burn downward. Fires typically burn sideways. Fires typically burn upward. Fires typically burn in a circular shape.
Fires typically burn upward.
Rocky is a dog used to help investigate crime scenes involving fire. What is Rocky MOST likely trained to do? He can test the scene for carbon monoxide. He can detect the scent of cigarettes and matches. He can find a fire's point of origin by sniffing for it. He can smell the scene to find flammable liquids.
He can smell the scene to find flammable liquids.
The suspect claims to have started a fire by putting gasoline in a glass jar, adding a wick, and lighting it. He then threw it in a house. What did the suspect do? He started the fire with a substrate control. He used multiple high explosives. He created a Molotov cocktail. He utilized vapor concentration.
He created a Molotov cocktail.
Thomas is transporting evidence from a possible arson back to the crime lab. When he arrives at the lab, some of his evidence is producing a dangerous gas. What error did Thomas MOST likely make when handling the evidence? He stored the evidence in glass jars. He stored the evidence in airtight containers. He stored the evidence in plastic bags. He stored the evidence in paint cans with airtight lids.
He stored the evidence in plastic bags.
Mariah has discovered a bullet at a crime scene that is extremely mutilated and deformed. What is the BEST thing for her to do with this evidence? Ignore this bullet because it cannot be matched with other evidence. Make a silicone mold of the bullet, and take the mold to the lab. Place the bullet in a container marked with its information. Submerge the bullet in water, then clean and dry it.
Place the bullet in a container marked with its information.
John Graham was charged in the bombing of United Airlines Flight 629 on November 1, 1955. What ultimately happened to him? He died on the plane when it exploded. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He was convicted of murder and executed. He escaped prison and was never captured.
He was convicted of murder and executed.
Eugene plans to use algor mortis to determine the victim's time of death. How will Eugene MOST accurately use this method? He will look for pools of blood in the victim's body. He will ask about the victim's final behaviors. He will calculate the victim's body temperature. He will see how long it takes for the body to become stiff.
He will calculate the victim's body temperature.
Mohammad is investigating a fire in a warehouse. What is the first step in this process MOST likely to be? He will obtain a search warrant before entering the scene. He will draw a detailed picture of the crime scene. He will search for the point of origin of the fire. He will send a dog in to sniff for accelerants.
He will search for the point of origin of the fire.
Investigators are trying to find hydrocarbons in their evidence. What is the first thing they should do when testing this evidence? Compare the patterns of gases present. Use a gas chromatograph to separate the gases. Draw out any trapped gas with a syringe. Heat the container containing the evidence.
Heat the container containing the evidence.
Compare medical autopsies to forensic autopsies. What is one way a medical autopsy is MOST likely to be different from a forensic autopsy? In a medical autopsy, the dead person's identity is not known. In a medical autopsy, the death is under suspicious circumstances. In a medical autopsy, the cause of death is already known. In a medical autopsy, the body has been badly decayed.
In a medical autopsy, the cause of death is already known.
What is TRUE about the use of class characteristics and firearm evidence? Investigators can determine the manufacturer and the gun type. Investigators can determine the manufacturer but not the gun type. Investigators can determine the gun type but not the manufacturer. Investigators cannot determine the gun type or the manufacturer.
Investigators can determine the manufacturer and the gun type.
What is TRUE about DNA? It consists of three strands that form a triple helix shape. It is only found in saliva, blood, sweat, and hair. It is not able to be replicated in any way. It is found in every cell in the human body.
It is found in every cell in the human body.
What is TRUE about mitochondrial DNA? It is the quickest type of DNA to test. It is found inside the nucleus of a cell. It is inherited from a person's mother. It is the most accurate DNA used to solve crimes.
It is inherited from a person's mother.
People tell Lavonda that she looks just like her mom. What is MOST likely the reason for their similarities? They both have complementary base pairings. Lavonda's buccal cells are similar to her mom's buccal cells. Lavonda shares many genes with her mom. Their DNA is a 100% match.
Lavonda shares many genes with her mom.
What is TRUE about putrefaction? Insects are not involved in this process. Loss of hair and nails often occurs. It takes place in the first three days after a death. The entire process takes a week to complete.
Loss of hair and nails often occurs.
Emilia needs to take photographs of a tool mark at a crime scene. What should she do to produce photographs that are MOST likely to reveal individual characteristics? Take an overview photo of the scene. Make sure the photo is well-lit. Take an intermediate photo of the mark. Avoid using the flash on her camera.
Make sure the photo is well-lit.
Investigator Martinez has removed a bullet from a crime scene. What should he do with the bullet? Write his name on the side of the bullet. Mark the tip of the bullet with his initials. Rinse the bullet and pat it dry with a towel. Put it in his pocket to take it to the crime lab.
Mark the tip of the bullet with his initials.
Compare primary and secondary explosives. What is one main difference between these two types of explosives? Primary explosives are low explosives; secondary explosives are high explosives. Primary explosives must be ignited by other explosive materials; secondary explosives do not. Primary explosives are more sensitive to heat and friction than secondary explosives. Primary explosives are often used in homemade bombs; secondary explosives are not.
Primary explosives are more sensitive to heat and friction than secondary explosives.
Abed has found clothing at the scene of a suspected arson. What should he do with this evidence? Leave it at the scene. Place it in a sealed plastic bag. Store it on a wooden tray to dry it out. Put it in an airtight container.
Put it in an airtight container.
Compare the use of RFLP to PCR in the study of DNA. What is one difference between these two methods? RFLP is one of the newest methods used; PCR is one of the oldest. RFLP is considered by scientists to be more useful than PCR. RFLP is better to use with samples that have mold on them than PCR. RFLP requires larger samples of DNA than PCR requires.
RFLP requires larger samples of DNA than PCR requires.
Mira uses forensic entomology to help determine a victim's time of death. How does Mira MOST accurately perform this task? She observes the presence of insects on the victim's body. She looks for the bulging of eyes on the victim's body. She analyzes the intestinal tract of the victim's body. She measures the temperature of the victim's body
She observes the presence of insects on the victim's body.
Sofia has found the point of origin of a fire at a crime scene. What should she do next? She should get a search warrant so she can collect evidence. She should send in a dog to sniff out flammable liquids. She should dry out any water that might damage the evidence. She should take notes and photographs to record the scene.
She should take notes and photographs to record the scene.
A suspect in an arson case tells investigators that he used gasoline as an accelerant at a nearby house. When the investigators visit the crime scene just hours after the fire started, what will MOST likely occur? Some traces of gasoline will be found on the furniture or walls. There will be no trace of gasoline anywhere at the crime scene. The fire will have died out anywhere the gasoline was used. Any water used to put out the fire will have destroyed the gasoline.
Some traces of gasoline will be found on the furniture or walls.
The scattered bones from a human body were found within a 10-foot radius in a forest. The forensic anthropologist determines that some of the finger bones are missing. What can the anthropologist MOST likely conclude from this evidence? The body has been in the forest for 15 to 20 years. The body has been in the forest for less than three weeks. The body has been in the forest for more than one year. The body has been in the forest for about four months.
The body has been in the forest for more than one year.
. The remains of a human body were found unburied in the woods. They were completely skeletonized. Based on this evidence, what can an investigator MOST likely conclude? The body has been mummified over the past few weeks. The body has been there for about eight months. The body has been there for at least 15 years. The body has been placed there by a murderer.
The body has been there for about eight months.
What material is MOST effective in washing off explosive residue? kerosene gasoline hydrocarbons acetone
acetone
Marcus is using the PCR process to study DNA. What is one stage this process must go through to create a new strand of DNA? annealing hybridization DNA typing tandem repetition
annealing
When are human bones MOST likely to reach their adult length? between the ages of 17 and 25 between the ages of 13 and 16 after the age of 26 at the age of 20
between the ages of 17 and 25
What is likely TRUE about a forensic scientist's role in an arson case? Their role is limited because the evidence is limited. Their role is expanded because there is a lot of evidence. Their role is easy because the evidence tells its own story. Their role is overwhelming because there are so many tests to run.
Their role is limited because the evidence is limited.
What is TRUE about the majority of explosives that forensic scientists deal with in investigations? They are made of dynamite and TNT. They are Molotov cocktails. They use high explosives. They are homemade bombs.
They are homemade bombs.
What is TRUE about primary explosives? They are a type of low explosives. They are very sensitive to heat and friction. They are often used to detonate buildings. They include TNT and dynamite.
They are very sensitive to heat and friction
Carlos is a forensic anthropologist. He discovers the bones of a human whose tibia had stopped growing but whose clavicle appears to have been still growing. What conclusion can he MOST likely make about this person's age at their time of death? This person was between 8 and 12 years old. This person was between 13 and 16 years old. This person was between 16 and 25 years old. This person was between 26 and 30 years old.
This person was between 16 and 25 years old.
What is TRUE about obtaining search warrants to investigate a crime scene that involves fire? Warrants are required before any evidence is collected. Warrants are not required to enter the crime scene. Warrants are required before any testing of evidence occurs. Warrants must be approved within 24 hours of the fire.
Warrants are not required to enter the crime scene.
All forensic autopsies reveal important information about specific crimes. True False
false
Low explosives are the least common type of explosives used. True False
false
Rigor mortis generally begins in larger muscles like the quadriceps in the legs. True False
false
Scientists became aware of the existence of DNA in 1985. True False
false
The chemical term for dynamite is TNT. True False
false
Fires are often set deliberately with petroleum products such as gasoline. What are these products made of? Molotov cocktails substrate controls hydrocarbons high explosives
hydrocarbons
Abed knows that the victim died after they ordered a pizza to be delivered, but before the pizza arrived. Based on this observation, what is Abed using to estimate the time of death? insects livor mortis DNA evidence indicative acts
indicative acts
Alexis is trying to determine a victim's time of death. What is the LEAST effective method she can use for determining their time of death? rigor mortis livor mortis algor mortis indicative acts
livor mortis
Michael is looking for igniters at the scene of a possible arson. What is he MOST likely looking for? matches gasoline kerosene glass bottles
matches
Huda thinks that a fire was started by someone using a Molotov cocktail. What evidence would MOST likely lead her to make this conclusion? a bullet casing pieces of a glass bottle a gun dustings of gun powder
pieces of a glass bottle
Trevor is training to be a forensic scientist. His class has been studying John Wayne Gacy. What is MOST likely the current focus of this class? serial killers rigor mortis gunpowder evidence indicative acts
serial killers
Emma needs to make an impression of a tool mark at a crime scene. What material is the BEST choice to make a mold? plaster of Paris natural soil cement silicone rubber
silicone rubber
In a movie, a bomb detonates, and the entire room explodes. What does this MOST likely demonstrate? the blast effect a substrate control a Molotov cocktail vapor concentration
the blast effect
What is the inside of the gun barrel called? grooves lands the bore the rifling
the bore
Investigators are looking for a fire's point of origin. What is the MOST likely indication of the point of origin? the highest point that shows intense burning the lowest point that shows intense burning the highest point that shows moderate burning the lowest point that shows moderate burning
the lowest point that shows intense burning
The investigator thinks the victim committed suicide. What is the investigator evaluating? the time of death the manner of death the mechanism of death the cause of death
the manner of death
Why would an investigator MOST likely use an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS)? to sniff out flammable liquids to test for explosive materials to determine the point of origin to analyze the weight of hydrocarbons
to test for explosive materials
. Livor mortis helps indicate if a victim's body has been moved after death occurs. True False
true
Both low explosives and high explosives will typically create a crater in the spot where the bomb detonates. True False
true
Forensic anthropologists are asked to determine if skeletal remains are recent or ancient. True False
true
It is possible for dried blood to produce nuclear DNA more than 20 years after it has dried. True False
true
The use of a device known as a "sniffer" helps investigators make decisions about whether a fire was accidental or whether it should be investigated as arson. True False
true
Roger has determined the point of origin of a fire at a crime scene. What should he traditionally NOT collect from this area of the crime scene to use as evidence? water samples ash and soot samples floor covering samples furniture samples
water samples
When CODIS is attempting to match DNA samples to DNA profiles in its database, how many different regions in the nuclear DNA is it attempting to match? 10 13 16 20
13
Floyd thinks that a house fire was started by a cigarette. What is likely TRUE about the evidence at the house? There will be a cigarette at the point of origin. The cigarette will have burned down with the house. There will be flammable liquids in the house. Matches will be found near the cigarette.
The cigarette will have burned down with the house.
A victim has been shot and killed. The investigator sees a circle of lead concentrated around the bullet hole. The clothing around the bullet hole is scorched. Based on this evidence, what can MOST likely be concluded about the shooting? The gun was fired 25 inches from the victim. The gun was fired 12 inches from the victim. The gun was fired more than three feet from the victim. The gun was fired less than one inch from the victim.
The gun was fired less than one inch from the victim.
Enzo found a wooden hammer at a crime scene. The head of the hammer appears to have been used to strike the victim. What can he MOST accurately conclude about DNA evidence and the hammer? The handle of the hammer could possibly have sweat or skin on it. The head of the hammer is most likely to have the suspect's DNA on it. The handle of the hammer is most likely to have the victim's DNA on it. It is impossible to collect DNA from a wooden surface.
The handle of the hammer could possibly have sweat or skin on it.
Investigators have found black and smokeless powder at the scene of a crime involving a fire. What is the BEST way for the investigators to analyze this evidence? by asking a dog to sniff it by using an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) by looking under a microscope by washing it with acetone
by looking under a microscope
When using PCR to study DNA, the base pairs split and the DNA cleaves into single strands. What stage of the process does this MOST accurately describe? annealing denaturization extension hybridization
denaturization
Tricia is at a crime scene involving a fire at a house. Her main task is to locate the point of origin. What does this task MOST likely include? getting a search warrant to enter the house walking around the house with a sniffer drawing a sketch of the crime scene determining where the fire began
determining where the fire began
The bases of DNA are adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. True False
true
Evie wants to know about the caliber of a firearm. What question is she MOST likely to ask? What are the chances of misfiring the gun? How many grooves does the gun produce? What size is the gun barrel? How fast does the gun reload?
What size is the gun barrel?
Regina did a research project on John Wayne Gacy. What did she MOST likely learn about him? He solved 29 murders. He committed 33 murders. He was found innocent of all crimes. He served no prison time.
He committed 33 murders.
Evie was told that a forensic autopsy is being performed on her husband. What can she MOST likely conclude from this information? He died from natural causes. He died under suspicious circumstances. His cause of death is already known. His cause of death is already known.
He died under suspicious circumstances.
Seth is using a technique known as hybridization. What is Seth MOST likely doing? He is binding together strands of DNA with a complementary DNA sequence. He is placing DNA samples in a DNA thermal cycler to create a copy of the DNA. He is practicing a method known as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). He is using a method that is involved in Short Tandem Repeat (STR) technology.
He is binding together strands of DNA with a complementary DNA sequence.
Julio is preparing a virtopsy. What does this task MOST likely involve? He is using an MRI machine to image the victim. He is performing a blood toxicology on the victim. He is removing the brain and other organs from the victim. He is examining insects that were found on the victim's body.
He is using an MRI machine to image the victim.
Oliver has found a bullet at a crime scene. How should he BEST preserve this evidence? He should scratch his initials into its side. He should dust off any attached fibers. He should put it in a cardboard box. He should wrap it in tissue paper.
He should wrap it in tissue paper.
A forensic autopsy can help identify three things. What is it LEAST likely to accurately identify? the cause of death the mechanism of death the time of death the manner of death
the time of death
Approximately when did DNA start to be used to identify unique characteristics? 1965 1975 1985 1995
1985
How long does it usually take for rigor mortis to set in following death? 1 to 2 hours 2 to 6 hours 24 to 36 hours more than 36 hours
2 to 6 hours
Roland is using algor mortis to determine a victim's time of death. Assuming the victim's body temperature was originally 98 degrees and now measures 88 degrees, how many hours have MOST likely passed since the victim died? 2 hours 4 hours 8 hours 10 hours
4 hours
Approximately what percentage of DNA do humans and fruit flies share? 30 percent 45.2 percent 60 percent 98.8 percent
60 percent
Marisa is using algor mortis to determine a victim's time of death. Assuming the victim's body temperature was originally 98 degrees, what is MOST likely to be the victim's approximate temperature three hours after their death? 85 degrees 88 degrees 92 degrees 96 degrees
92 degrees
What happened to United Airlines Flight 629 on November 1, 1955? A bomb planted in a passenger's suitcase exploded. The plane was hijacked by terrorists and flown into a building. The plane's engine accidentally exploded during take-off. A passenger shot a gun, which caused the plane to crash.
A bomb planted in a passenger's suitcase exploded.
What is TRUE about using the victim's eyes to estimate time of death? Most forensic scientists use the eyes to estimate time of death. There is no way to use the eyes to estimate time of death. Taking the temperature of the eyes is used to estimate time of death. A cloudy film over the eyes can help estimate time of death.
A cloudy film over the eyes can help estimate time of death.
What is the approximate maximum speed of the blast effect in an explosion? 70 miles per hour 700 miles per hour 7,000 miles per hour 70,000 miles per hour
7,000 miles per hour
A suspect confesses that they shot their victim and buried them in a deep grave behind their house about two years ago. What is MOST likely to be found when they dig up the grave? The victim's body will have a waxy covering on it. The victim's body will be perfectly mummified underground. There will be no bones or tissues left from the victim. There will be a complete skeleton of the victim.
There will be a complete skeleton of the victim.
A suspect claims that they and the victim ate a large dinner together about three hours before the victim died. What would the autopsy MOST likely show if the suspect is telling the truth? There would be no liquids in the victim's intestinal tract. There would be no food left in the victim's intestinal tract. There would be some food in the victim's intestinal tract. There would be blood pooled in the victim's intestinal tract.
There would be some food in the victim's intestinal tract.
A crime lab is using mitochondrial DNA as evidence in an upcoming case. Why is a crime lab MOST likely to use mitochondrial DNA instead of nuclear DNA as evidence in a case? because human remains have been charred by fire because the DNA sample is smaller than a quarter because there are no human teeth or bones available because the DNA sample is more than three years old
because human remains have been charred by fire
Ronaldo is using a method known as vapor concentration when investigating a suspected arson case. What is he MOST likely trying to do? find hydrocarbons in evidence determine the point of origin collect a substrate control measure the blast effect
find hydrocarbons in evidence
How long will the bones from an abandoned body usually stay complete after the time of death? for three days for three weeks for three months for three years
for three weeks
Compare mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to nuclear DNA. What is one difference between these two types of DNA? mtDNA tests are cheaper than nuclear DNA tests. mtDNA tests get faster results than nuclear DNA tests. mtDNA can be linked to a specific person; nuclear DNA cannot. mtDNA does not reveal individual characteristics; nuclear DNA does.
mtDNA does not reveal individual characteristics; nuclear DNA does.
A victim's remains are found near a house. The family believes it is their cousin Tallulah but the body has been burned so badly that she cannot be identified. What is the BEST option for a forensic scientist to identify the body using DNA evidence? Ask for one of Tallulah's old hairbrushes. Obtain a buccal swab from Tallulah's body. Test the family members' saliva and sweat. Look for gunpowder residue around the body.
Ask for one of Tallulah's old hairbrushes.
Pedro is visiting the University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Facility. What is another name for this famous facility? Skeleton Shack Body Farm Forensic Playground Investigation Station
Body Farm
What system is used to help match DNA from crime scenes to a DNA database? CODIS AFIS NIBIN FBI
CODIS
Manuel has to create a presentation about the work of Dr. Alec Jeffreys for his forensic science class. What is the MOST appropriate title for his presentation? Entering DNA in CODIS Collecting DNA Evidence Life Before DNA Was Discovered Describing DNA Fingerprints
Describing DNA Fingerprints
Esther determines that a bomb used high explosives. What can the investigators MOST likely conclude based on this information? A Molotov cocktail was used. Vapor concentration was used. Black powder was used. Dynamite was used.
Dynamite was used.
How has DNA evidence been used to protect customers from sales of fraudulent sports memorabilia? Footballs used in Super Bowl games are marked with a synthetic strand of DNA. Ink pens and markers used to sign autographs are tested for each player's specific DNA. Cleats that players wear during the World Series are compared with the player's DNA. Winners of the World Cup in soccer have to provide DNA samples after the final match.
Footballs used in Super Bowl games are marked with a synthetic strand of DNA.
What is MOST likely to happen when a bullet is fired 12 to 18 inches from a target? It leaves a halo of smoke around the bullet hole. It doesn't leave any signs of gunpowder residue. It creates a circle of lead around the bullet hole. It forms a star-shaped pattern around the bullet hole.
It leaves a halo of smoke around the bullet hole.
What is TRUE about the rifling of a gun? It produces grooves and lands. It is another name for the inside of a gun barrel. It only appears in .38 caliber firearms. It can only be seen with a microscope.
It produces grooves and lands.
Jorge conducts a forensic autopsy of a victim. The lead investigator asks him what he has concluded about the cause of death. What is the MOST accurate response for Jorge to give? It was putrefaction. It was homicide. It was a sharp knife. It was blunt force trauma.
It was blunt force trauma.
What is likely to be TRUE about a substrate control from a crime scene involving fire? It will be covered in accelerant. It will be uncontaminated. It will be near the point of origin. It will be the cause of the fire.
It will be uncontaminated.
Police are investigating the murder of Mr. Trevor Reed. Mr. Reed had a large life insurance policy. Why would the police MOST likely want to know about this policy? If Mr. Reed left a lot of money for his family, they would never harm him. People who would likely benefit from the policy might become suspects. His policy would list doctors who could supply information about his health. Investigators are in charge of distributing assets to family after someone dies.
People who would likely benefit from the policy might become suspects.
Meera needs to remove a gun from a crime scene to take it to the lab. What is the BEST way for her to complete this process? She should hold the firearm by the barrel. She should submerge the firearm in a tub of water. She should pick the gun up using the trigger guard. She should clean the exterior of the gun before touching it.
She should pick the gun up using the trigger guard.
Anna has found containers at a crime scene that appear to be empty. What should she do with this evidence? She should cut a small piece of each container to take to the lab. She should set the containers on fire to see if they have gas inside. She should leave the empty containers at the scene. She should seal and collect these empty containers.
She should seal and collect these empty containers.
Ruby finds an empty soda can at the scene of a crime. What can she MOST accurately conclude about DNA evidence and the soda can? There is no chance of finding DNA evidence on a soda can. The best place to swab for DNA is the inside of the soda can. She should look for spilled soda on the table to collect saliva. She should swab the rim of the soda can for possible saliva.
She should swab the rim of the soda can for possible saliva.
Lavonda is working at her first crime scene that involves a fire. How will this scene MOST likely differ from regular crime scenes she has worked in the past? She will not need a search warrant to gather evidence. She will not be allowed to take any photos of evidence. There will be no evidence left because it will all be destroyed. There will be no way to determine the cause of the crime.
She will not need a search warrant to gather evidence.
Marisa is in charge of using a sniffer to investigate a crime scene involving a fire. What is MOST likely involved in this task? She will send in a dog to detect flammable liquids. She will look for the point of origin by examining the burn patterns. She will walk around the scene watching for a wire to heat up. She will draw a detailed sketch of the crime scene.
She will walk around the scene watching for a wire to heat up.
Emilia is attending a forensic science conference. She is looking for a session that discusses taphonomy. Which session title MOST likely covers this topic? The Victim's Remains: From Death to Discovery Forensic Autopsy: The Newest Technology Determining Time of Death: Beyond Rigor Mortis Skeletal Clues: Baby Teeth and Pelvic Bones
The Victim's Remains: From Death to Discovery
Katarina is investigating a possible arson at a home. She arrives within one hour of the fire starting. What is MOST likely to be true about this crime scene? She will be required to get a search warrant. There will be no trace of flammable liquids. Most evidence will still be in excellent condition. The arsonist will not be present at the house.
The arsonist will not be present at the house.
Detective Gundy found several areas in a warehouse where fires appeared to have started. What can he MOST likely conclude from this evidence? Someone deliberately set fires at different points around the warehouse. Several people accidentally dropped lit cigarettes around the warehouse. Strong winds spread the fire throughout multiple areas in the warehouse. There was no accelerant used to start any of these fires.
Someone deliberately set fires at different points around the warehouse.
Tricia found a body that is in rigor mortis. How was she MOST likely to determine that this was happening? The body was the temperature of the air surrounding it. The body was very rigid and stiff. The body had pools of blood in it. The body had lost a lot of tissue and was mainly bones.
The body was very rigid and stiff.
Two bullets are fired from the same gun. When they are examined, what is MOST likely to happen? The bullets will be an extremely close match. The bullets will be a perfect match. The bullets will have very few markings in common. The bullets will have the exact same lands and grooves.
The bullets will be an extremely close match.
Two different people had their DNA tested because they were suspects in an investigation. The results came back stating that their DNA was exactly the same. What can MOST likely be concluded based on these results? The suspects must be identical twins. The suspects are brother and sister. A mistake was made because this is impossible. The suspects are mother and daughter.
The suspects must be identical twins.
Lisa is a forensic anthropologist working to identify a victim. After examining a set of human bones, she concludes that the victim was a woman. What evidence MOST likely led her to this conclusion? The victim had large bones with heavy muscles. The victim had narrow pelvic bones. The victim had narrow pelvic bones. The victim had narrow pelvic bones.
The victim had narrow pelvic bones.
Which of the following conclusions was LEAST likely to be made by evidence analyzed by a forensic anthropologist? The victim was a male. The victim was between 25 and 30 years old. The victim has been dead for about three days. The victim was approximately six feet tall.
The victim has been dead for about three days.
Bruno is a forensic anthropologist working to identify a victim. He analyzes a set of human bones with narrow and tall pelvic bones. What can he MOST likely conclude based on this evidence? The victim was a laborer. The victim was a child. The victim was a woman. The victim was a man.
The victim was a man.
A forensic pathologist finds food in the digestive system of a victim's body. What can MOST likely be concluded about the victim's time of death? The victim was alive at least 12 hours ago. The victim was alive in the last 6 hours. The victim was alive in the last 30 minutes. The victim was alive about 10 hours ago.
The victim was alive in the last 6 hours.
David is looking at a victim's body at the crime scene. The victim is lying flat on their back. It appears that there is post-mortem lividity on the victim's face and chest. What can David MOST likely conclude based on this evidence? The victim's body has been flipped over after the death. The victim's body hasn't been touched since the death. The victim's body has been dead for at least 30 hours. The victim's body has not yet experienced rigor mortis.
The victim's body has been flipped over after the death.
What is TRUE about genes? They are outside the nucleus of a cell. They are the same for humans and chimps. They are made up of chromosomes. They determine a person's hair color.
They determine a person's hair color.
Justin discovers a body that is decaying. There are beetles and mites all over the body. What conclusion can Justin MOST likely make about this victim's time of death? They died within the past seven days. They died between 8 and 18 days ago. They died between 19 and 30 days ago. They died longer than 30 days ago.
They died between 19 and 30 days ago.
Ancient Egyptians practiced mummification. What did this process MOST likely include? They put insects on the body to aid decomposition. They removed all the soft tissue from the bones. They covered the body in a waxy substance. They dried out the body and its tissues.
They dried out the body and its tissues.
What is TRUE about chromosomes? They are found outside the nucleus of each cell. They each contain genetic material. They are shaped like a double helix. There are 30,000 chromosomes on each gene.
They each contain genetic material.
A suspect confessed to the killing of a victim 25 years ago and throwing their body in a wooded area. When investigators search the area for evidence, what is MOST likely to occur? They will find some bones, but they will be scattered within a 10-foot radius. They will find some bones, but none of the smaller bones will be present. They will find many bones that have begun to rot. They will find no signs of the bones on the surface of the ground.
They will find no signs of the bones on the surface of the ground.
Detective Smith tells his officers to investigate livor mortis in the victim's body. How would the officers MOST accurately do this? They would take the temperature of the body. They would examine insects on the body. They would see if food had been digested yet. They would look for blood that had settled.
They would look for blood that had settled.
The local crime lab wants to stop using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) to study DNA. Instead, they want to use Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). How would they MOST accurately implement this new technique? They would use an enzyme to cut DNA strands into smaller sections. They would combine DNA using a process known as hybridization. They would use small samples of DNA to create long strands of DNA. They would examine tandem repeats on a nuclear strand of DNA.
They would use small samples of DNA to create long strands of DNA.
Carolina has been asked to collect a substrate control at the scene of a suspected arson at a house. What should she MOST likely collect? a piece of carpet far from the point of origin a piece of upholstery near the point of origin a piece of a rug that is covered in gasoline a piece of a blanket found outside the house
a piece of carpet far from the point of origin
Detective Zane was called as an expert witness in a criminal case. The prosecutor asked, "What was the mechanism of death?" What is the MOST accurate way for the detective to respond? a pistol a homicide a gun shot internal bleeding
a pistol
Elizabeth wants to test DNA using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). What type of DNA sample would MOST likely be successful using RFLP? a few tiny human skin cells a sock soaked in human sweat drops of blood covered with mold a stamp coated with layers of dirt
a sock soaked in human sweat
Ariana walked into a damp, sealed-off cellar where she discovered a body that was covered in a waxy substance. What process MOST likely took place when this body decomposed? adipocere mummification skeletonization putrefaction
adipocere
Monica has collected buccal cells from a suspect. Where did she collect this evidence? from the suspect's hairbrush from the suspect's fingernails from the suspect's razor from the suspect's mouth
from the suspect's mouth
Aria is conducting a Greiss Test. What evidence is she MOST likely examining? bullet casings gunpowder residue tool marks fingerprints
gunpowder residue
Yolanda is investigating a fire. She has cut a piece of the couch covering to use as evidence because she thinks there might be trace evidence of an accelerant on it. How should she BEST transport this material back to the crime lab? in a plastic bag in an airtight container in a paper bag on an open tray
in an airtight container
Fatema is attaching an identification tag to a firearm she found at the crime scene. Where is the MOST logical place for her to attach this tag? to the trigger guard to the barrel to the trigger to the checkered portion of the grip
to the trigger guard
Skeletonization often occurs when animals and insects eat the soft tissue off of bones. True False
true
When using CODIS, the likelihood that two individuals have the same 13-loci profile is about one in a billion. True False
true