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Chapter 4 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is forensic science primarily concerned with?
a. Legal procedures
b. Physical evidence
c. Witness testimonies
d. Criminal psychology

A

B

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2
Q

What is forensic identification?
a. Determining crime motives
b. Linking trace evidence to individuals
c. Analyzing crime scenes
d. Profiling criminal behavior

A

B

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3
Q

Why is trace evidence considered significant in forensic science?
a. Criminals intentionally leave traces
b. It can be carried away from crime scenes
c. It is easy to overlook
d. It is always left in large amounts

A

B

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4
Q

Who devised the anthropometry technique?
a. Paul Kirk
b. Alphonse Bertillon
c. Fort Leavenworth
d. Sir Francis Galton

A

B

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5
Q

Why was anthropometry abandoned in favor of fingerprints?
a. It was unreliable and inaccurate
b. A new prisoner had similar measurements to an existing inmate
c. The process was too time-consuming
d. Fingerprinting provided more unique identification

A

B

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6
Q

Which of the following is NOT a biometric discussed in the notes?
a. Iris
b. Signature
c. DNA
d. Walking

A

C

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7
Q

What does modern forensic identification rely on?
a. Historical evidence
b. Comparisons between samples
c. Theories of criminal behavior
d. Public perception

A

B

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8
Q

What does the comparison of trace evidence aim to establish?
a. The innocence of the suspect
b. The presence of a criminal at the scene
c. The motive behind the crime
d. The exact time of the crime

A

B

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9
Q

What is an example of a forensic technique that fell out of favor due to accuracy concerns?
a. Fingerprinting
b. DNA analysis
c. Comparative bullet composition analysis
d. Anthropometry

A

C

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10
Q

What is a criticism of handwriting analysis mentioned in the notes?
a. It is always accurate
b. Dynamic nature of handwriting
c. It is more reliable than other forensic methods
d. Handwriting does not change over time

A

B

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11
Q

Why is handwriting analysis considered challenging?
a. Handwriting is rarely used in crimes
b. Suspects intentionally change their writing
c. Handwriting is a static trace
d. Alcohol and drugs have no effect on writing

A

B

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12
Q

What is one complication in matching a trace to a source mentioned in the notes?
a. Lack of trained forensic scientists
b. Rare events and unusual materials
c. Overabundance of research on forensic traces
d. Excessive amounts of trace evidence

A

B

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13
Q

Why did the technique of comparative bullet composition analysis fall out of favor?
a. It was too time-consuming
b. The chemicals used were harmful
c. It was not based on solid scientific principles
d. The FBI discontinued its use

A

C

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14
Q

What kind of evidence is handwriting analysis considered to be?
a. Irrefutable evidence
b. Pseudoscience
c. Forensic science
d. Static evidence

A

B

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15
Q

What are the fundamental quality standards for a scientifically meaningful measure?
a. Uniqueness and specificity
b. Reliability and validity
c. Precision and accuracy
d. Consistency and variability

A

B

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16
Q

What does reliability refer to in scientific measurement?
a. Accuracy and precision of a measure
b. Consistency or repeatability of a measure
c. The degree to which a measure is specific
d. The uniqueness of a measurement technique

A

B

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17
Q

What is test–retest reliability concerned with?
a. Consistency over time
b. Precision of measurement instruments
c. Uniqueness of observations
d. Validity of a technique

A

A

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18
Q

Which form of reliability ensures that two or more observers arrive at the same measurement independently?
a. Temporal consistency
b. Test–retest reliability
c. Interrater reliability
d. Interobserver agreement

A

C

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19
Q

What does measurement validity refer to?
a. Precision and accuracy of a measure
b. Consistency or repeatability of a measure
c. Whether a technique measures what it is supposed to measure
d. The degree of uniqueness in a measurement technique

A

C

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20
Q

Can a technique be valid without being reliable?
a. Yes
b. No
c. It depends on the context
d. Only in psychometric tests

A

B

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21
Q

Why is reliability considered a prerequisite for validity?
a. Because reliable measures are always valid
b. To ensure consistency in measurement over time
c. Reliable measures prevent subjectivity and inaccuracy
d. Validity is dependent on the degree of reliability

A

D

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22
Q

What is crucial in forensic identification to assess whether a technique accurately differentiates one print from another?
a. Reliability
b. Uniqueness
c. Validity
d. Consistency

A

C

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23
Q

What is a key requirement for forensic identification techniques to inspire confidence?
a. Subjectivity
b. Objectivity
c. Popularity
d. Complexity

A

B

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24
Q

How are forensic identification procedures classified in terms of objectivity?
a. Subjective to objective
b. Objective to subjective
c. Contextual to absolute
d. Scientific to pseudoscientific

A

A

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25
Q

Why is DNA identification considered a standard for other forensic identification techniques?
a. It is entirely subjective
b. It lacks scientific foundation
c. It serves as a benchmark for objectivity
d. It relies on pseudoscience

A

C

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26
Q

Who proposed the idea that some segments of DNA are unique to individuals?
a. Watson and Crick
b. Alec Jeffreys
c. Paul Kirk
d. Alphonse Bertillon

A

B

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27
Q

What is the purpose of the CODIS database maintained by the FBI?
a. To store criminal profiles
b. To analyze fingerprints
c. To evaluate forensic techniques
d. To store DNA profiles

A

D

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28
Q

How are DNA profiles typically displayed for analysis?
a. Electromagnetic waves
b. Electropherogram
c. Chromatography
d. Spectroscopy

A

B

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29
Q

What do DNA analysts use to estimate the probability of a match in court?
a. Electropherogram
b. Random match probabilities (RMPs)
c. CODIS database
d. Genetic characteristics

A

B

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30
Q

What are the tiny swirling lines on fingertips called?
a. Genetic patterns
b. Friction ridges
c. DNA strands
d. Latent prints

A

B

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31
Q

Who pioneered the procedure of counting points of similarity in fingerprint matching?
a. Alec Jeffreys
b. James Watson
c. Francis Crick
d. Sir Francis Galton

A

D

32
Q

What are latent prints?
a. Visible fingerprints
b. DNA strands
c. Fingerprint databases
d. Difficult-to-see fingerprints

A

D

33
Q

What is the threshold for the minimum number of matching ridge characteristics in fingerprint identification?
a. 3 to 5 points
b. 7 to 16 points
c. 20 points
d. 30 points

A

B

34
Q

What doctrine is often invoked when errors are discovered in fingerprint matching?
a. One dissimilarity doctrine
b. Ridgeology doctrine
c. Exclusion doctrine
d. Unique characteristics doctrine

A

A

35
Q

What is a significant source of error in fingerprint identification?
a. Print quality
b. Database matching
c. Ridge characteristics
d. Pore distribution

A

A

36
Q

What is a critical issue in the interpretation of forensic identification evidence?
a. Contextual bias
b. Subjectivity
c. Cognitive biases
d. Confirmation bias

A

C

37
Q

What percentage of false negative errors was found in a study of experienced FBI latent print examiners?
a. Less than 1%
b. 10%
c. 50%
d. 85%

A

D

38
Q

What do experienced fingerprint examiners tend to believe about their judgments?
a. Vulnerable to cognitive biases
b. Close to infallible
c. Dependent on contextual bias
d. Subject to confirmation bias

A

B

39
Q

Who published a paper in 1953 presenting the molecular structure of DNA?
a. Alec Jeffreys
b. Sir Francis Galton
c. James Watson and Francis Crick
d. Juan Vucetich

A

C

40
Q

What did Alec Jeffreys and his colleagues posit in 1984 regarding DNA segments?
a. DNA segments are identical in all individuals
b. DNA segments are unique to individuals
c. DNA segments are similar across species
d. DNA segments are not relevant for identification

A

B

41
Q

When was DNA first introduced as evidence in U.S. courts?
a. 1984
b. 1953
c. 1988
d. 2004

A

C

42
Q

What is CODIS?
a. A DNA extraction technique
b. A forensic identification technique
c. A DNA database maintained by the FBI
d. A computerized measuring instrument

A

C

43
Q

How are genetic profiles typically displayed in DNA analysis?
a. As fingerprints
b. As barcodes
c. As electropherograms
d. As chromatograms

A

C

44
Q

Who pioneered the procedure of counting points of similarity as a means of matching two fingerprints?
a. Alec Jeffreys
b. Sir Francis Galton
c. Juan Vucetich
d. James Watson

A

B

45
Q

What term is used for fingerprints found at a crime scene that are difficult to see with the naked eye?
a. Clear prints
b. Latent prints
c. Visible prints
d. Obvious prints

A

B

46
Q

What is the primary task of a human examiner when comparing fingerprints?
a. Counting the number of pores
b. Assessing the color of the ridges
c. Identifying ridge characteristics
d. Measuring the length of ridges

A

C

47
Q

What is the critical issue in fingerprint matching in the legal system?
a. Uniqueness of fingerprints
b. Probability of error
c. Age of fingerprints
d. Clarity of fingerprints

A

B

48
Q

What is the threshold for declaring a fingerprint match in many countries?
a. 4 points of similarity
b. 7 points of similarity
c. 10 points of similarity
d. 16 points of similarity

A

D

49
Q

What is the term for the tendency for extraneous influences to taint one’s judgments?
a. Confirmation bias
b. Contextual bias
c. Cognitive bias
d. Subjective bias

A

B

50
Q

What did a survey of experienced examiners reveal about their beliefs regarding cognitive biases?
a. Examiners believed they were immune to biases
b. Examiners acknowledged the presence of biases
c. Examiners reported high susceptibility to biases
d. Examiners believed biases could be eliminated easily

A

A

51
Q

What technique has been applied to the problem of fingerprint recognition and differentiation?
a. Sophisticated mathematical models
b. DNA analysis
c. Facial recognition
d. Handwriting analysis

A

A

52
Q

Which form of identification evidence is considered moderately strong?
a. DNA evidence
b. Fingerprint evidence
c. Toolmark analysis
d. Bite mark analysis

A

B

53
Q

What is a key issue in cases involving toolmark analysis?
a. The weight of the tools
b. The number of striations
c. The size of the markings
d. The expertise of the examiner

A

B

54
Q

What is the primary problem with bite mark analysis and toolmark analysis, according to the notes?
a. Lack of research validating the techniques
b. Inconsistency in examiner training
c. Overreliance on subjective assessments
d. Difficulty in distinguishing patterns

A

A

55
Q

What did DNA analyses reveal regarding microscopic hair comparison?
a. It was a reliable technique
b. It led to accurate convictions
c. It was often misused
d. It had a low error rate

A

C

56
Q

What did the Justice Department, the FBI, and the Innocence Project conclude about microscopic hair comparison?
a. It was a groundbreaking technique
b. It had a high accuracy rate
c. FBI experts gave inaccurate testimony in 96% of cases
d. It was superior to DNA analysis

A

C

57
Q

What is the American Board of Forensic Odontology’s recommendation for bite mark testimony degrees of certainty?
a. Three degrees
b. Four degrees
c. Six degrees
d. Seven degrees

A

C

58
Q

What does a simple-match statement in forensic analysis involve?
a. Quantitative probability statements
b. Comparing characteristics between trace and source
c. Individualization based on detailed matching
d. Expert testimony on false positive rates

A

B

59
Q

What information do statistics in a match plus statistics statement provide?
a. Expert qualifications
b. Rarity or commonality of matching characteristics
c. Historical context of the trace evidence
d. Personal biases of the forensic analyst

A

B

60
Q

What does individualization as a form of testimony require from the forensic analyst?
a. A detailed and perfect match
b. Statistical probability calculations
c. Multiple degrees of certainty
d. Collaboration with other experts

A

A

61
Q

Why is calculating the false positive rate challenging for most types of trace evidence?
a. Lack of collaboration among forensic examiners
b. Examiners’ reluctance to participate in studies
c. Adequate funding for research is lacking
d. Judges’ insufficient training in forensic science

A

B

62
Q

What term is suggested as more objective than “match” in describing similarity between a trace and a source?
a. Equivalent
b. Identical
c. Consistent with
d. Conclusive

A

C

63
Q

What have courts been encouraged to prohibit forensic examiners from implying?
a. Certainty or near certainty in conclusions
b. Collaboration with other experts
c. The use of statistical analyses
d. The term “individualization”

A

A

64
Q

What are some conditions that can raise the risk of error in forensic analysis?
a. The complexity of the case
b. Improper collection and contamination of trace evidence
c. The examiner’s personal bias
d. Ambiguity in legal procedures

A

B

65
Q

What does valid identification presume regarding trace evidence?
a. Ambiguity in findings
b. Adequate testing conditions
c. Lack of procedural safeguards
d. Independence from legal affiliations

A

B

66
Q

What is a potential source of error emphasized in the notes regarding the handling of trace evidence?
a. Lack of proficiency testing
b. Insufficient laboratory safeguards
c. Routine retesting of traces
d. Ambiguity about findings

A

C

67
Q

How can the confidence in identification be increased according to the notes?
a. Relying on a single test result
b. Routine retesting of traces
c. Reducing the number of proficiency tests
d. Increasing the ambiguity of findings

A

B

68
Q

What measures have forensic laboratories taken to minimize errors in examiner judgments?
a. Increasing situational pressures
b. Instituting proficiency testing and certification
c. Limiting blind testing
d. Discouraging routine retesting

A

B

69
Q

Why does extensive training play a crucial role in creating a scientific sensibility?
a. To increase forensic examiners’ work speed
b. To prioritize nonscientific values
c. To maintain scientific integrity
d. To encourage bias in analyses

A

C

70
Q

What is a pillar of scientific progress according to the notes?
a. Financial interest
b. Peer review
c. Secrecy in research
d. Rapid publication

A

B

71
Q

Who are the reviewers of forensic science, and what is a challenge in their assessment?
a. Independent scientists; fear of negative findings
b. Juries and judges; scientific sophistication
c. Forensic analysts; secrecy in research
d. Law enforcement; financial interest

A

B

72
Q

What is a related source of potential bias mentioned in the notes?
a. Lack of financial interest
b. Secrecy in research
c. Independent oversight
d. Financial interest in demonstrating technique validity

A

D

73
Q

What is a challenging task for jurors in evaluating trace evidence?
a. Assessing the bias of forensic examiners
b. Understanding complex statistical statements
c. Identifying errors in laboratory procedures
d. Evaluating the financial interest of laboratories

A

B

74
Q

What is a finding regarding jurors’ revisions of evaluations when presented with random match probabilities (RMPs) for DNA samples?
a. Jurors are overly conservative in revisions
b. Jurors easily grasp statistical statements
c. RMPs have no impact on jurors’ evaluations
d. Jurors overemphasize statistical information

A

A

75
Q

Why is presenting statistical information challenging for juror understanding, according to the notes?
a. Jurors lack interest in statistical details
b. Jurors find it irrelevant to the case
c. Jurors have low levels of education and little background in math and science
d. Jurors are skeptical of statistical evidence

A

C

76
Q

What is suggested as a way to defeat cognitive bias in presenting statistical evidence to jurors?
a. Presenting statistical evidence only in written form
b. Using complex mathematical formulas
c. Presenting evidence in multiple forms
d. Limiting the use of statistical evidence

A

C

77
Q

What is the jurors’ understanding of fingerprint evidence compared to DNA evidence?
a. Jurors find fingerprint evidence more complex
b. Jurors are unaware of weaknesses in fingerprint identification
c. Jurors have a better scientific foundation for fingerprint evidence
d. Jurors consider fingerprint evidence less certain

A

B

Forensic and Legal Psychology (4 decks)

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