Forensic Biology Flashcards
What are diatoms and how are they used in forensic cases?
Algae. They are used to help determine if someone has drowned or not. And can also help identify where someone has drowned.
Where are diatoms found in the body?
In the lungs
True or false? A person who has been murdered and then have their body dumped in a river will have diatoms in their lungs
False
How does pollen come into contact with the body?
Inhaling, sticking to skin, in hair and on clothing
How is pollen used in forensics?
It can help you identify the type of plant and identify where the person might have been
How are plant fragments used in forensic science?
They can help you identify where a person might have been e.g. (a plant fragment found on a shoe)
What does plant material in stomach contents mean?
Helps determine what there last meal might have been
What are the four blood groups?
A, B, O, AB
How do you determine a blood group type , for example on a piece of clothing?
Extract the blood on the clothing with saline and then do an agglutination test
What is histology?
Identification of tissues for example (a brain will look like this tissue, and then the liver will look like this tissue etc)
How would you identify semen on clothing?
- Press wet filter paper onto clothing
- Draw around garment
- Spray with acid phosphate
- If there is semen on the garment it would turn purple
What is the relevance of maggots in relation to death?
Helps identify how long the person may have been dead for
What is forensic microbiology?
The identification/tracing of microorganisms used for criminal purposes
