Arson, Ballistics, and DNA Flashcards
What does DNA stand for?
deoxyribonucleic acid
Where is DNA located?
Mitochondria, and Nucleus
Why is DNA important to forensics?
Identify individuals by analyzing biological evidence left at a crime scene, and connecting the suspect to the crime.
What are the 4 nitrogenous bases?
Adenine(A), Thymine(T), Cytosine(C), Guanine(G)
How do the nitrogenous bases pair?
A with T, and C with G
What pattern will a typical fire make?
āVā shape
What are some reasons behind arson crimes?
Insurance Fraud, revenge, crime concealment, and Pyromania
What is the most common reason behind arson crimes?
Insurance Fraud
True or False: The typical fire burns in an X pattern and moves upward in search of oxygen.
False
True or False: When arson investigators begin their work, they are in search of the point of origin of the fire.
True
True or False: Combustion is the rapid Combustion of oxygen with other substance, accompanied by production of heat and light.
True
True or False: Most arson crimes occur when someone tries to conceal a crime.
False
True or False: Fire evidence is collected and placed in envelopes or plastic bags and is packaged according to the chain of custody.
False
Burn Patterns
Trails of accelerant use to carry a fire from one location to another
The 3 requirements that must be satisfied to initiate and sustain combustion are:
A fuel must be present, Oxygen must be available in sufficient quantity to combine with the fuel, and Heat must be applied to initiate the combustion, and sufficient heat must be generated to sustain reaction.
First degree arson
Burning of an occupied structure such as a school or a place where people are normally present
Second degree arson
Burning an unoccupied building such as an empty barn or an occupied house or other structure in order to claim insurance in such property.
Third degree arson
Burning an abandoned building or an abandoned area, such as a field, forest, or woods.
