FKA1

Question 1

According to RCMP, forensic, identification services policy, explain whether or not probability of identification testimony is permitted on other types of physical or impression evidence, excluding friction ridge comparisons.

Answer 1

Probability of identification testimony is not permitted.
For physical object comparisons, the only permitted opinions are:
Identification
Similar to
Exclusion
Inconclusive
For physical impression evidence, the only permitted opinions are:
Identification
Higher degree of association
Association of class characteristics
Exclusion
Inconclusive

Question 2

You are required to mix of potassium thiocyanate solution for use on scene exhibit. What precautions should you take?

Answer 2

Refer to, and follow the SDS
Follow proper personal hygiene
Use/wear appropriate PPE
Prepare in a well ventilated area

Question 3

What are the first aid measures to take if diazafluoren-9-one; is inhailed, is swallowed, gets on skin, gets in eyes?

Answer 3

Inhalation: move the infected individual to fresh air. Call the poison centre or doctor if you feel unwell, begin CPR if subject loses consciousness.
Ingestion: do not induce vomiting, contact the poison centre and or doctor.
Gets on skin: wash off immediately with plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention if irritation occurs.
Gets in ice: rinse eyes immediately with plenty of water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.

Question 4

How does a digital camera capture an image?

Answer 4

Light reflects off the subject being photographed. The light is focussed through the lens and admitted by the shutter. The light hits the sensor and has converted to electronic data, via photo-electric conversion, and it’s saved in the memory card.

There are two types of sensors:
CCD - charge coupled device
CMOS - complementary metal oxide semi conductor

Question 5

When referring to digital resolution, what is meant by the abbreviations PPI and DPI?

Answer 5

PPI - pixels per inch - measurement of resolution, indicates the number of pixels per inch of distance and is used in input devices, such as cameras and scanners.
DPI - dots per inch - measurement of resolution indicates number of dots per inch of distance, and is used in output devices such as printers.

Question 6

What is CMOS?

Answer 6

Complementary metal oxide semiconductor - a type of digital camera sensor, and one of the most widely used.

Question 7

Describe what the contrast of an image refers to a digital photography.

Answer 7

Contrast describes the difference between the darkest in latest areas of an image. Greater contrast means greater difference and vice versa.

Question 8

In digital imaging, what is noise and what is its effect on an image?

Answer 8

Noise is a grainy veil in a photograph, obscuring details and making the image appear less clear. It is created by electrical activity on the sensor. It is most visible on uniform services.
Another type of noise is called, stuck, pixels or hot pixels, which occurs in longer exposures.

Question 9

Define the term redeye in photography.

Answer 9

Red eye occurs when light from the cameras flash reflects off the blood vessels behind the retina of the subject person being photographed. It usually occurs when flash is used at night or in dim lighting because the pupils are dilated.

Question 10

What are artefacts as it relates to digital photography?

Answer 10

Artefacts in digital photography refers to defects or undesirable changes resulting from the processing algorithms of the camera, but don’t exist in the original image.

Question 11

What are the total ranges of a digital photograph?

Answer 11

Highlights
Mid tones
Shadows

Question 12

What is the use of flash useful in daylight?

Answer 12

Using a flash in daylight can reduce her shadows by using a technique called Fill-in-flash. It is helpful in situations where an object of interest is found under an object such as a tree or car. The use of the flash will reduce the shadows to allow the object question to become clearly visible in the resulting photo.

Question 13

When using a digital camera, name two ways of correcting for the white balance, when the auto setting doesn’t accurately record the colours of each item.

Answer 13

Change the camera, white balance settings manually.
Take photos in raw format. This allows for adjusting the white balance during post processing.

Question 14

State the formula used to determine the maximum printed size to create a good quality print from a digital image.

Answer 14

Dimensions of the image in pixels divided by the print resolution(minimum recommended is 300 PPI)

Question 15

From an image that is 2100 x 1500 pixels. What is the maximum printed dimensions?

Answer 15

7” x 5”

Question 16

How do you ensure the retention of the integrity of digital photographs obtained at a crime scene?

Answer 16

Raw images are to be taken, in addition to JPEG
Images are to be saved in a folder, titled originals, and saved on file
Enhanced images must be saved in a separate folder
Document any changes using digital enhancement notes

Question 17

In order to photographically record a crime scene what minimum two standards must your digital camera be able to provide?

Answer 17

Must be able to record images in JPEG and raw formats.
Must have a minimum resolution of 10 megapixels

Question 18

What are the standard items a personal protective equipment for safeguard at many crime scenes?

Answer 18

Mask or respirator
Safety glasses
Biohazard suit
Gloves
Footwear coverings, or booties

Question 19

List five problems that may occur if the crime scene is not properly secured or protected

Answer 19

Unknown persons may enter the scene and destroy evidence
Loss of continuity of evidence, and or scene
Evidence removed or hidden
If objects or evidence or moved, the photos of the scene could be ruled inadmissible do not accurately, representing the scene at the time of the offence
Scene not cleared of hazards or cross contamination of the scene

Question 20

Identify the five basic patterns used to search a crime scene

Answer 20

Circle or spiral
Strip or line
Grid
Zone
Point To point

Question 21

Describe circle or spiral search pattern

Answer 21

Widely used for interior scenes. The searcher begins on the outside of the area or room, then moves in a circular pattern and spirals towards the center.

Question 22

Describe strip or line search

Answer 22

Often used in exterior or large scenes. The area is subdivided into smaller strips. The searcher begins on an outer strip and moves down the line upon reaching the end of the strip, the searcher reverses direction and evaluates. The next to Jason strip process is repeated until the entire area has been evaluated. This can be accomplished with the single searcher or a group of searchers.

Question 23

Describe grid search

Answer 23

A variation of the line search the area is divided into two sets of strips or lanes, which run perpendicular to each other, the searcher treats, each set of lines independently, and in the same manner as a line search

Question 24

Describe the zone search

Answer 24

Best for small spaces like a vehicle. The area is broken down into zones and searchers deal with their zone individually for example in a four-door vehicle, each door, including the trunk, would be assigned to one searcher.

Question 25

Describe a point to point search

Answer 25

The scene examiner determines an order of handling specific focal points and evidence. The searcher then processes the area around each point, moving from one point to another.

Question 26

Upon arrival at a crime scene, what is the order of steps you would take?

Answer 26

1 - take note of location, time of arrival, date, persons, present, and other observations
2 - speak to persons on scene and conduct a walk-through
3 - photograph the exterior
4 - collect exterior evidence
5 - photograph the interior
6 - collect interior evidence
7 - complete a report, update the lead investigator

Question 27

What potential evidence could be obtained from the comparison of glass fragments seized from the scene and from the suspect?

Answer 27

A determination, whether either sample is in fact a glass
A determination of whether the glass originated from similar sources (type of glass)
Possible physical object comparisons

Question 28

Where are glass fragments to be sent for analysis and what main factor needs to be taken into consideration?

Answer 28

Glass fragments are sent to a private lab for analysis.
The nature of the offence should be taken into consideration prior to contracting a private lab.

Question 29

When the point of entry is a broken window, is it important to make note of how much glass is located on either side and why?

Answer 29

Yes, make a note of the amount of glass on either side of the window would help to determine whether the glass was broken inward, or outward
Some other indicators to look for would include Wallner lines and conchoidial fractures.

Question 30

If a suspect is arrested shortly after an offence involving broken glass, what procedure would you use to collect fragments from that individual?

Answer 30

Have the individual stand on a drop cloth and comb their hair with a cotton seeded comb. The drop cloth, comb, and any glass fragments should be seized as exhibits.
Have the individual stand on another clean drop cloth. Have them remove their outerwear. collect the clothing, dropcloth, and any fragments as exhibits.

Question 31

At a break and enter scene where the point of entry and point of exit or different locations which area should normally be examined first and explain why

Answer 31

The point of entry, because of it being a high traffic area and commonly exposed to the elements. Additionally, most evidence is likely to be found there.

Question 32

What common methods will you use regularly to document the crime scene?

Answer 32

Photography
Notes
Report
Scene sketch
Plan drawing or scanner data
Video when required

Question 33

What details should investigative notes contain with respect to your scene?

Answer 33

Date
Time of notification
Time of arrival and departure
Persons on scene
Observations and description of scene
Actions taken and results

Question 34

What are three basic photographs associated with crime scene photography?

Answer 34

Overall
Mid range
Close up

Question 35

What is the purpose of the mid range photograph?

Answer 35

The midrange photograph is used to bring attention to an object of interest, and give context and establish orientation within the scene

Question 36

Why is it necessary for you to speak with witnesses and are victims of crime?

Answer 36

Witness information can clarify any questions the examiner may have pertaining to the investigation.
The witness may be able to identify items, moved or brought, and left by the suspect

Question 37

Describe the reason it is necessary to record the environmental conditions were at a scene

Answer 37

The conditions during the investigation are important as the environmental conditions will have an effect on the scene and evidence, these effects should be noted.

Question 38

What should be marked on an exhibit when it is recovered?

Answer 38

File number and caption
Time and date of seizure
Description of the exhibit
Location where is the exhibit was seized
Seizing persons initials

At minimum the date and time, identifier, and initials

Question 39

What is the benefit of using a rubber casting compound to record tool marks?

Answer 39

Rubber casting compounds are able to record even microscopic details. If you are unable to seize a door frame or object, then the use of a casting compound should be considered.

Question 40

What is the most effective way of visualizing possible dust impressions?

Answer 40

Oblique or grazed lighting

Question 41

What is the method for collecting impression evidence located within standing water?

Answer 41

Consider damning around the impression
Sift dental Stone powder over the impression until the water begins to thicken
Allow the cast to cure

Question 42

Describe the purpose of a scene sketch

Answer 42

A scene sketch gives context to the scene and assists the trier of fact with understanding locations of evidence

Question 43

What should you record with respect to liver Mortis? why is it necessary to record the presents or lack of these conditions?

Answer 43

Livor mortis involves the settling of blood within the body due to gravity, after circulation has ceased. The resulting discolouration will set and become fixed within eight hours of death, but can be seen as early as 30 minutes.
Note of this discolouration and its location or lack of livor mortis could indicate that a deceased person was moved after the time of death.

Question 44

Describe the term stippling, and its potential significance to a death investigation

Answer 44

Stipling is partially burned and unburned gunpowder that has been driven into the skin in and around a bullet entry wound. This is extremely helpful to the medical examiner in determining approximate distance between the muzzle and the victim.

Question 45

What is the typical appearance indicated by an exit wound?

Answer 45

The wound will be irregular and asymmetrical in shape.
There is no soot or stippling.

Question 46

What is meant by the term pugilistic attitude/stance

Answer 46

As a result of a body, being exposed to fire, the body is often found in somewhat of a fetal position. Sometimes can be mistaken for defensive positioning.

Question 47

In a criminal investigation, why is it important to photograph the whole body of a deceased person?

Answer 47

To establish the body’s physical position and condition in a scene
It is an accurate record of the body
To refute claims of additional changes or injury

Question 48

Describe in detail what steps you will take to examine a body and prepared for removal from the scene

Answer 48

Take detailed notes
Photographs
Physical measurements of the body within the scene
Trace evidence must be documented, and collected immediately upon detection
Chalk outline, or mark the body location
Bag hands and maybe the feet and head
Bag the body

Question 49

What methods would you use to record? A faded suspected bite mark on the victims shoulder at the morgue.

Answer 49

Consider consulting with forensic odontologist

Photograph with scale
Use ALS or laser

Question 50

At the scene of an underwater search for a firearm has been recovered by the dive team to prevent flash corrosion how would you package the exhibit for submission to the firearms unit?

Answer 50

Package the firearm submerged in a sample of the water in which it was found.

If not possible, then, rinse with hot water, allow to dry naturally, then apply lubricant to metallic surfaces to protect against corrosion.

Question 51

What section of the laboratory will conduct tool mark comparisons?

Answer 51

Firearms and tool mark section

Question 52

Why is it necessary to photograph fingerprints before lifting?

Answer 52

In the event that the lifter damage is the impression, the photograph will provide an accurate representation of the impression as it was found.
Photographs can be enhanced and enlarged to assist in analysis

Question 53

What was Alphonse Bertillon’s contribution to the identification of criminals?

Answer 53

He devised a classification system, in which a series of measurement should be taken from criminals to differentiate one individual from another.
His system was called Bertillionage.

Question 54

During the course of Alfred Hale’s research he repeatedly refers to CR length. What is he referring to when referencing this?

Answer 54

CR length refers to crown to rump length a measurement from the crown of the head to the bottom of the rump

Question 55

Harold Cummins suggested in his paper that a certain anatomical structure of the hand influences the tography of friction Ridge patterns. Which structure is he referring to?

Answer 55

The Volar pads

Question 56

Name three early scientific researchers, and briefly describe what each contributed to the study of fingerprints

Answer 56

Inez Whipple - a zoologist who studied primates and found that the locations of the Volar pads on primates corresponds to the locations of that on humans.

Alfred Hale - studied the prenatal development of fetuses, through his research he was able to identify the stages of development of friction skin.

Francis Galton - studied friction skin and defined the features/details as minutiae. Further, Galton defined the different features; ridge endings, islands, bifurcations, and lakes/enclosures.

Michio Okajima - defined incipient ridges, which are immature friction ridges are not always recorded in impressions due to not being as pronounced/tall as fully developed ridges. They do not have pores.

Johann CA Mayer - A German doctor who wrote “Anatomical Copper plates with Appropriate Explanations, wherein he wrote that “although specific friction ridge arrangements may be similar, they are never duplicated.” Credited as the first to recognize friction skin as unique.