Chapter 1 - Observation Skills

Question 1

What is Forensics Science?

Answer 1

applies:
- chemistry
- biology
- physics
- geology
to:
- criminal
- civil law

Question 2

Most Important tool of observations is to…

Answer 2

• make observations
• interpret observations
• report observations

Question 3

What do Forensics Scientist Do?

Answer 3

• Identify the evidence
• Record the evidence
• Determine the significance of the evidence
• Can act as an expert witness in court

Question 4

What Purpose does Evidence Serve?

Answer 4

prove s/o guilty or innocent

Question 5

Skills of a Forensics Scientist

Answer 5

• Analytical Skills > identify a problem, look at the pieces, organize info, evaluate and make conclusions
• Deductive Reasoning > verify facts using logical reasoning

Question 6

How Our Brain Processes Information&raquo_space;

Answer 6

Information is picked up by our senses&raquo_space; Brain chooses what to pay attention to&raquo_space; Brain could play tricks on us&raquo_space; Short term memory&raquo_space; Long term memory

Question 7

Eyewitness Testimony AKA….

Answer 7

First hand account

Question 8

Testimonial Evidence is…

Answer 8

written or oral statements given to police by ppl who witnessed an event (not very reliable)

Question 9

Factors that Affect Eyewitness Testimony

Answer 9

• focus or concentration
• emotional state
• alone or w ppl
• # of ppl or things in area
• activity around you
• personal beliefs, prejudices..
• memory problems

Question 10

What is the Innocence Project?

Answer 10

• established in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck & Peter Neufeld
• purpose is to reexamine cases
• after research 87% faulty eyewitness accounts led to wrongful convictions

Question 11

Who are the First People to Respond to the Scene?

Answer 11

the CSI

Question 12

“Must haves” in a forensics tool kit

Answer 12

mask, gloves, evidence bags, and digital camera

Question 13

How is a Crime Scene Secured?

Answer 13

tape

Question 14

What Chemical Tests for the Presence of Blood

Answer 14

luminol

Question 15

Are Chalk Outlines Used?

Answer 15

No bc of possible contamination

Question 16

What are the Two Most Important Finds at a Crime Scene?

Answer 16

Hair & Clothing Fibers

Question 17

Who Touches a Body First?

Answer 17

a forensics pathologist

Question 18

What are the Three Types of Fingerprints?

Answer 18

1. Loops
2. Whorls
3. Arches

Question 19

What are the Three Steps of Fingerprint Processing?

Answer 19

1. Collection
2. Processing
3. Decision

Question 20

What Causes Fingerprints to be Left on Surfaces?

Answer 20

sweat

Question 21

What is a Limitation of DNA and fingerprint evidence?

Answer 21

you have to be in the system

Question 22

What Can a Ballistics Team Tell from a Gunshot?

Answer 22

• Time of death
• The gun
• The height
• Distance

Question 23

During What Time Frame do you Lose the Most Info?

Answer 23

after 48hrs

Question 24

2 Types of Facial Composites

Answer 24

1. Free Hand Sketches
2. Composites

Question 25

Simultaneous Lineup

Answer 25

where all photos are shown and victim chooses possible perpetrator

Question 25

What are Facial Composites Used For?

Answer 25

to piece facial features together one at a time

Question 25

A Double Blind Lineup

Answer 25

when the person who administers the line up does not know which person in the line up is the suspect and who are fillers (benefits integrity of eye witness)

Question 25

Sequential Lineup

Answer 25

the victim picks the perpetrator

Question 25

What Lineup does NJ use?

Answer 25

sequential line up