Chaper 8

Question 0

This is that part of science applied to answering legal questions.

Answer 0

Forensic Science

Question 1

There are two distinct activities involved in laboratory work: (2)

Answer 1

1) gathering evidence at the scene of a crime

2) the scientific analysis of evidence

Question 2

There are three primary purposes for digital crime labs:

Answer 2

1) Examine and collect relevant digital evidence that may exist on personal computers in support of a crime.
2) Digital crime labs are also instrumental in securing evidence that directly involve computer crimes such as money laundering, possessing child pornography, embezzlement, fraud, and identity theft.
3) Police crime labs have also been instrumental in preventing and investigating terrorist attacks in the United States.

Question 3

Reasons why there is underutilization or total neglect of crime laboratories: (5)

Answer 3

1) lack of knowledge about how the laboratory can aid the investigator
2) unfamiliarity with the esoteric varieties of clue material
3) Failure to collect physical evidence (fear of cross examination or inadequate training or experience)
4) Overrepresentation of laboratory capabilities
5) Inconvenience

Question 4

The effectiveness of crime laboratory services can be measured in terms of three criteria: (3)

Answer 4

1) quality
2) proximity
3) timeliness

Question 5

This largely determines the level of services that a crime laboratory can deliver:

Answer 5

Budget considerations

Question 6

The most important resources in any crime laboratory is:

Answer 6

The scientific staff

Question 7

For laboratory purposes, examinations generally fall into the following categories:

Answer 7

1) chemical examinations
2) biological examinations
3) physical examinations
4) personal examinations
5) firearm identification
6) documentary examinations
7) photography

Question 8

Many of the problems found in crime labs can be traced to two cases:

Answer 8

1) not enough funding, and

2) too close of a relationship with the police

Question 9

Labs are simply unable to meet increased need for DNA analysis created by the following five factors: (5)

Answer 9

1) increasing awareness
2) property crimes
3) scientific advances
4) cold cases
5) post-conviction testing