chapter 1

Question 1

forensic science

Answer 1

application of science to criminal and civil laws

Question 2

CSI effect

Answer 2

dramatization of forensic science on TV, leads to public having unrealistic expectations

Question 3

expert witness

Answer 3

a person who is permitted to testify at a trial because of special knowledge or proficiency in a particular field that is relevant to the case

Question 4

steps of scientific method

Answer 4

formulate question

make hypothesis to answer question

experiment to test hypothesis

hypothesis validity = suitable evidence

Question 5

early development of forensics

Answer 5

-3rd century China has earliest records (fingerprint)
-limited knowledge of anatomy and pathology hindered advances until the 17/18th century

Question 6

Francis Galton contribution

Answer 6

studied fingerprints, human intelligence, and eugenics

Question 7

Leonne Lattes

Answer 7

determined blood types from dried blood cells

Question 8

Calvin Goddard contributions

Answer 8

used comparison microscope to link bullets to guns

Question 9

Osborne contributions

Answer 9

developed principles of document checking and examination

Question 10

Edmund Locard contributions

Answer 10

father of forensics
Locard’s exchange principle: every contact leaves a trace

Question 11

Alphonse Bertillon contribution

Answer 11

bodily measurements as identification

Question 12

initial scientific advances in forensics

Answer 12

-1st procedure for detection of sperm
-1st test for hemoglobin and blood
-able to be used in criminal trials (1839: detection of arsenic in body (rat poison))

Question 13

20th century forensic advances

Answer 13

-discovered 4 blood groups
-increased awareness of cross contamination (Locard’s principle)
-microscope becomes prevalent

Question 14

modern forensic advances

Answer 14

-computer increased human knowledge
-DNA typing for identification useful for small amounts of physical evidence

Question 15

Sir Alec Jefferies contribution

Answer 15

DNA typing for identification

Question 16

currently, how many public operational crime labs are there?

Answer 16

about 400

Question 17

what are the different levels of forensic labs in government

Answer 17

federalist
municipal
county

Question 18

functions of a forensic scientist

Answer 18

-performs job in lab, courtroom to pursuade jury and accept conclusions
-apply principles of natural and physical science
-analyze evidence
-unbiased
-expert witness
-express co-opinion on findings significance
-train law enforcement personnel in proper recognition, collection, presentation of findings

Question 19

Frye standard

Answer 19

evidence must be generally accepted by scientific community

not “absolute,” room for variation

Question 20

Frye v. US set what?

Answer 20

guidelines for determining admissibility of scientific evidence in a courtroom

Question 21

Daubert standard criteria

Answer 21

can technique/theory be tested?
has technique been subject to peer review and publication?
techniques potential rate of error
existence and maintenance of operation standards
did theory/method attract widespread acceptance in relevant scientific community?

Question 22

what case was the Daubert standard set by?

Answer 22

Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical Inc.

Question 23

Steven Avery overview

Answer 23

American labourer who served 18 years in prison (1985–2003) for rape and attempted murder before his conviction was overturned because of DNA evidence. In 2005 he was charged with murder in a different case and was found guilty two years later.

Question 24

Ted Bundy overview

Answer 24

American serial killer who kidnapped, raped, and murdered dozens of young women and girls during the 1970s. After more than a decade of denials, he confessed to 30 murders. The total number of his victims is likely to be higher

Question 25

what and how succinylcholine is used for

Answer 25

skeletal muscle relaxant

used to relax muscles during surgery or while on a breathing machine

Question 26

modus operandi

Answer 26

a method of operation or pattern of criminal behavior so distinctive that separate crimes or wrongful conduct are recognized as the work of the same person

Question 27

Bertillonage system

Answer 27

a system for identifying persons based on bodily measurements, photographs, and notation of data

Question 28

criminalistics

Answer 28

the application of scientific methods to the recognition, collection, identification, and comparison of physical evidence generated by criminal or illegal civil activity

Question 29

digital and multimedia forensic sciences

Answer 29

forensic services encompassing the preservation, repair, acquisition, processing, analysis, clarification, and reporting of information stored on evidence in an analog or digital format

Question 30

engineering forensic science

Answer 30

application of engineering principles and science used in the investigation of failure

Question 31

general forensic science

Answer 31

the use of scientific methods or expertise to investigate crimes or examine evidence that might be presented in a court of law

Question 32

jurisprudence

Answer 32

composed of lawyers and judges who are involved in forensic science issues in their professional lives

Question 33

forensic odontology

Answer 33

highly experienced, specially trained dentists who use their expertise to help identify unknown remains and trace bite marks to a specific individual

Question 34

forensic pathology/bio

Answer 34

analyze the medical history of the deceased individual and crime scene evidence and witness testimonials, perform an autopsy to assess whether death was caused by injury or disease, as well to collect further evidence from the body

Question 35

physical forensics

Answer 35

the science behind crime detection

Question 36

anthropology

Answer 36

involves applying skeletal analysis and techniques in archaeology to solving criminal cases

Question 37

behavioral science

Answer 37

study when and why individuals engage in specific behaviors by experimentally examining the impact of factors such as conscious thoughts, motivation, social influences, contextual effects, and habits

Question 38

questioned documents

Answer 38

any document that may be disputed or queried on the basis of authenticity or origin, and contains markings from handwriting, typewriting, computer printing, or copywriting

Question 39

toxicology

Answer 39

field of science that helps us understand the harmful effects that chemicals, substances, or situations, can have on people, animals, and the environment