Forensic Awareness

Question 1

True or False: Evidence ‘contamination’ may occur when:

1. An examiner wears the same gloves to uplift different exhibits.
2. When the material collected cannot be linked to the investigation.
3. A crime scene lacks clear boundaries, pathways and security.
4. Biological material is inadvertently added to an exhibit.

Answer 1

1. True
2. False
3. True
4. True

Question 2

What is a tangible item in relation to evidential material?

Answer 2

A physical item such as a locked iPhone, memory stick etc.

Question 3

Can an impression be left by any of the following?

1. The sole of a shoe or boot?
2. Drops of saliva or semen?
3. A finger or palm print?
4. A tool used as a lever?

Answer 3

1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes
4. Yes

Question 4

True or False: DNA (blood sample) is known to deteriorate under which of the following conditions?

1. When handled without gloves or masks.
2. When packaging creates conditions that cause it to degrade.
3. When it has exited the body for up to two hours.
4. When exposed to extremes of weather conditions.

Answer 4

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True

Question 5

Classify the following common types of evidence:

1. Semen
2. Blood
3. Glass fragments
4. Paint flakes

Answer 5

1. Biological
2. Biological
3. Physical
4. Physical

Question 6

What does ‘chain of evidence’ refer to?

Answer 6

The official record of exhibit collection, security and movement.

Question 7

Which forensic concept best describes how collection of forensic evidence may be affected when:

1. The movement of exhibits is not recorded.
2. The offender is taken back into the scene for interview.
3. The crime scene is dowsed in continuous rainfall.
4. Many people enter and leave the scene.

Answer 7

1. Evidential integrity.
2. Transfer.
3. Deterioration.
4. Contamination.

Question 8

In a forensic sense, what does persistence refer to?

Answer 8

The length of time biological material can be detected following a crime.

Question 9

True or False: Elimination samples refers to samples taken from people who are not under investigation for the offence, but may have come into legitimate contact with the crime scene.

Answer 9

true.

Question 10

What is an intangible item in relation to evidential material?

Answer 10

facebook account

CCTV camera

Question 11

True or False:

1. Trace evidence is usually found in fragments or small particles.
2. Trace evidence may only be seen by specialist forensic personnel.
3. Trace evidence cannot be seen by the human eye.
4. Trace evidence may be of a biological or physical nature.

Answer 11

1. True
2. False
3. False
4. True

Question 12

True or False: Contamination may occur when:

1. Exhibits are not correctly packaged or secured.
2. Forensic material is added to an exhibit post incident.
3. Equipment used has not been correctly cleaned.
4. Forensic material is exposed to rain or sunshine.

Answer 12

1. True
2. True
3. True
4. False

Question 13

A woman dances with a man, Male A, who is wearing a red jersey and she gets red fibres on her top. Late in the evening she dances with another man, Male B and some of the red fibres are transferred to the shirt of that man.

This is an example of primary and secondary transfer between who?

Answer 13

Primary: Male and Woman
Secondary: Woman and Male B

Question 14

True or False: Material collected at a crime scene can be contaminated when:

1. People or animals have entered the scene.
2. Scene equipment is not cleaned before use.
3. A scene searcher leaves traces on an exhibit.
4. Exhibits are repeatedly handled before packaging.

Answer 14

1. True
2. True
3. True
4. True

Question 15

Entomology is the science of studying what?

Answer 15

Insects.

Question 16

True or False: The relevance of forensic evidence is reliant upon what people say or do.

Answer 16

False.

Question 17

The ‘golden hour’ concept refers to the time when:

Answer 17

Evidential material is more readily available at a crime scene.

Question 18

True or False: Evidence is only relevant to an investigation if it has a tendency to prove anything that is of consequence to the case.

Answer 18

False

Question 19

Do the below situations describe when transfer between victim and offender can occur?

1. When victim and offender are not separated during initial action.
2. When one vehicle is used to transport the victim and offender.
3. When professional medical assistance is given to a victim at the scene.
4. When the offender is present in the scene prior to the incident.

Answer 19

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No
4. Yes