American Academy of Forensic Sciences

Question 1

when was the American Academy of Forensic Sciences established?

Answer 1

-1948

Question 2

criminalistics

Answer 2

• recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence
• run and interpret lab results like DNA, ballistics, fingerprints, chemical analysis, trace, etc.

Question 3

pathology/biology

Answer 3

• application of the principles of pathology and of medicine in general to the legal needs of society
• examples include a medical examiner or an entomologist

Question 4

toxicologists

Answer 4

-forensic toxicologists ask did prescription or illegal drugs and/or alcohol and/or other toxic substances or poisons contribute to the person’s death or to their crime?

Question 5

tox

Answer 5

study of harmful effects or chemicals or drugs on living systems

Question 6

odontology

Answer 6

• the application of dental science to medicolegal problems
• human ID
• bitemark analysis

Question 7

how is psychology and behavioral science used in criminal law?

Answer 7

• competency

- assessment of mental illness

Question 8

competency

Answer 8

• competency to stand trial and to testify
• ability to waive legal representation
• eligibility of execution

Question 9

assessment of mental illness

Answer 9

-as related to diminished responsibility or innocence by reason of mental illness or defect

Question 10

how is psychology and behavioral science used in civil cases?

Answer 10

• involuntary psychiatric hospitalization
• right to refuse treatment
• competency to participate in do not recitation decisions

Question 11

jurisprudence

Answer 11

• science of philosophy of law
• study convictions and case types, analyze the state of evidence, expert testimonies, and the legal system
• must be a lawyer and pass the BAR exam

Question 12

what are the questions asked with questioned documents?

Answer 12

• who wrote this?
• is this a true signature?
• has this document been altered?
• are there additions and/or erasers?
• was this pen used to write this?
• what can this paper type tell me?

Question 13

digital and media services

Answer 13

-detection of file deletion, corruption, and alteration, file recovery, etc

Question 14

general section

Answer 14

• newly emerging forensic scientific specialties
• established areas of forensic science that are not fitting the more narrow definitions or membership requirements of other sections
• forensic specialties whose numbers are not sufficient to support a separate section

Question 15

forensic scientists

Answer 15

-minimum qualification include a bachelor’s degree in a natural science such as biology, chemistry, physics, geology, or a closely related field

Question 16

what are the education requirements of forensic anthropologists?

Answer 16

• minimum of a master’s degree
• usually a Ph.D.
• board certification
• average of 8 years post BA
• average recipient is 34 years

Question 17

what is the knowledge base of a forensic anthropologist?

Answer 17

• human evolution
• anatomy and physiology
• developmental biology
• biometry and statistics
• clinical medicine
• biomechanics
• archaeology
• comparative anatomy

Question 18

what are other fields forensic anthropologists can participate in?

Answer 18

• college or university
• do research
• consult with a medical examiner or coroner
• intense competition for jobs

Question 19

role of a forensic anthropologist in a medical examiner or coroner office?

Answer 19

• ID of skeletonized, burned, or fragmented remains
• may help with trauma analysis
• usually cross trained to assist with other tasks like autopsies or quality assurance

Question 20

what governmental institutions can forensic anthropologists work for?

Answer 20

• national treasury safety board
• FBI
• DMORT

Question 21

JPAC-CIL/DPAA

Answer 21

• largest employer of forensic anthropologists in the US

- unique combination of field and lab work

Question 22

what non-governmental institutions can forensic anthropologists work for?

Answer 22

• often involved in human rights missions
• ID victims of civil and military conflicts around the world
• usually not full-time occupations
• museums - as a curator or manager
• private consultant/for-profit work

Question 23

what are the professional organizations of forensics?

Answer 23

• American associate of physical anthropologists
• American academy of forensic sciences
• international association for identification
• international association of forensic sciences

Question 24

what are the qualifications to become a board certified forensic anthropologist? (ABFA)

Answer 24

• must be a permanent resident of the US, Canada, or their territories
• must have a Ph.D. in anthropology with a concentration in biological anthropology
• 3 years of professional experience
• must submit sample case reports
• must document contributions to the discipline
• must take an oral and practical exam
• may only take the exam once (if you fail you have to wait 2 years to retake it)