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forensics > intro to forensics > Flashcards

intro to forensics Flashcards

1
Q

what is the job description of a forensics scientist

A

to process and document crimes, collect and preserve evidence, analyze and compare evidence in a laboratory, reconstruction of evidence (forming the best theory), and providing expert testimony

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2
Q

what are the skills needed to become a forensics scientist

A

having good observation skills (using the 5 senses), analytical skills ( being able to identify the problem, draw conclusions, and organize info) and deductive reasoning ( using logical steps to draw a conclusion based on facts or evidence)

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3
Q

what is a physical science unit?

A

incorporates the principles of chemistry, physics, and geology to identify and compare physical evidence

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4
Q

what is biology unit

A

applies the knowledge of biological sciences in order to investigate blood samples, bodily fluids, botanical samples, hair, and fiber samples. also includes DNA profiling

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5
Q

what is the firearm unit

A

investigates discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition. also includes comparison of tool marks, tire treads, and shoe prints

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6
Q

what is ballistics

A

a specific type of physical pattern identification; matching projectiles and casings to individual firearms or weapons

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7
Q

what is the document examination unit

A

provides handwriting analysis and other reproduction processes; ink and paper analysis; forgery and authenticity. also analyzes indentations, obliterations, erasures, and burned or charred documents

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8
Q

what is the photography unit

A

responsible for recording and examining physical evidence. may use special techniques (digital imaging, infrared, uv, x-ray). also responsible for photographic display in courtroom presentations

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9
Q

what is toxicology unit

A

examines body fluids (blood, urine) and organs for the presence of drugs and poisons. also responsible for training breathalyzer operators and for maintenance of the instruments

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10
Q

what is fingerprint unit

A

processes and examines crime scene and evidence for latent fingerprints

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11
Q

what is polygraph unit

A

conducts polygraph (lie detector) tests; administered by people trained in investigation and interrogation.

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12
Q

what is evidence-collection unit

A

dispatches specially trained personnel to the crime scene to collect and preserve physical evidence. must follow specific procedures to maintain chain of custody.

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12
Q

what is voiceprint analysis unit

A

attempts to tie a recorded voice to a particular suspect. use an instrument called a sound spectrographto make a visual graphic display called a voiceprint

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13
Q

what is chain of custody

A

refers to the document or paper trail showing the seizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of physical and electronic evidence.

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14
Q

what does the fbi do

A

protect and defend the united states against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the united states, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies

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15
Q

what does fbi stand for

A

federal bureau of investigation

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16
Q

what does dea stand for

A

drug enforcement administrat

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17
Q

what does the dea do

A

analyzes drugs seized in federal cases

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18
Q

what does atf stand for

A

bureau of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms

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19
Q

what does atf do

A

protects our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, violations of tax laws, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products

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20
Q

what does uspis stand for

A

us postal inspection service

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21
Q

what does uspis do

A

support and protect the u.s postal service and its employees, infrastructure, and customers; enforce the laws that defend the nation’s mail system from illegal or dangerous use; and ensure public trust in the mail

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22
Q

what is the states official crime lab?

A

the georgia bureau of investigation, also know as the gbi

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23
Q

what was the first case ever recorded using forensic science?

A

13th century china

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24
Q

what was the 13th century china?

A

when someone was stabbed all of the knives in the village were collected. files were attracted to the traces of blood and landed on only one of the knives, causing the suspect to confess

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25
Q

who is mathieu orfila

A

chemist who published first scientific paper on the detection of poisons and their effects on animals

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26
Q

who is concidered the father of forensics toxicology

A

mathieu orfila

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27
Q

who is william herschel

A

he used thumbprints on documents to identify workers in India

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28
Q

who is alphonse bertillon

A

developed anthropometry which uses body measurements to distinguish individuals

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29
Q

who is known as the father of criminal identification

A

alphonse bertillon

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30
Q

who is henry fauld

A

uses fingerprints to eliminate an innocent burglary suspect

31
Q

who is sir arthur conan doyle

A

published his first sherlock holmes story; considered the first “CSI”, featured in four novels and 56 short stories, popularized scientific crime-detection methods.

32
Q

who is frances galton

A

published finger prints. conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification. gave proof of their uniqueness

33
Q

who is hans gross

A

published criminal investigation. wrote the first paper describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation

34
Q

who is karl landsteiner

A

discovered the ABO blood groups, later received nobel prize

35
Q

who is edmond locard

A

incorporated Gross’ principles within a workable crime lab; became the founder and director of the Institute of Criminalistics at the University of Lyons, France.

36
Q

who is albert s. osborn

A

published questioned documents. developed the fundamental principles of document examination

37
Q

who is leone lattes

A

developed a method for determining blood type from dried blood

38
Q

who is august vollmer

A

established the First Crime Lab in United States, located in Los Angeles

39
Q

who is calvin Goddard

A

developed a comparison microscope; first used to compare bullets to see if fired from the same weapon.

40
Q

true or false: types of criminal cases receive different levels of forensic treatment

A

true

41
Q

true or false: forensics are used more in propery then against persons

A

false

42
Q

define statutory law

A

legislative acts declaring, commanding, or prohibiting something. They have been enactedby a governmental body or agency (such as Congress) and are based on the Constitution

43
Q

define common/case law

A

laws made up of judicial opinions and precedents set in appellate courts.

44
Q

define civil law

A

often referred to as private law; deals with relationships between individuals involving matters such as property, contracts, marriage/divorce, wills, negligence, and other civil concerns. Violations of civil law are usually punishable by fines or transfer of property.

45
Q

define criminal law

A

often referred to as public law; deals with regulation and enforcement of rights. offenses against an individual are usually offensive to society; the state becomes the plaintiff in court. (ex. Miranda vs. Arizona)

46
Q

what is a misdemeanor

A

minor crime such as theft, minor assault and battery, or possession of small amount of illegal drugs

47
Q

what is a felony

A

major crime such as murder, rape, armed robbery, serious assaults, dealing of illegal drugs, fraud, auto theft, or forger

48
Q

define equity law

A

remedial or preventative; includes injunctions and restraining orders

49
Q

define administrative law

A

laws established by agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or branches of the military

50
Q

first amendment

A

reedom of Religion, Speech, and Press, the Right to Assemble Peaceably and to Petition the Government “for a redress of grievances.”

51
Q

second amendment

A

right to Keep and Bear Arms- “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

52
Q

third amendment

A

quartering of Troops- “No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”

53
Q

forth amendment

A

search and seizure- “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.“

54
Q

fith amendment

A

grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process

55
Q

sixth amendment

A

criminal Prosecutions – Right to  a speedy public trial by an impartial jury, to confront witnesses and to counsel for defense

56
Q

seventh amendment

A

common Law Suits –Right to a Trial by Jury

57
Q

nineth amendment

A

non-Enumerated Rights or “Rule of Construction of the Constitution”-  “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

58
Q

tenth amendment

A

states’ Rights- Rights not explicitly delegated to the Federal Government in the Constitution are reserved to the States or to the People.

59
Q

what are 3 things to consider when having probable cause

A

means, motive and opportunity

60
Q

what is means

A

he ability of the defendant to commit the crime

61
Q

what is motive

A

the reason the defendant committed the crime

62
Q

what is opportunity

A

whether the defendant had the chance to commit the crime

63
Q

true or false in cases of immediate danger officers have to wait for a warrant

A

false

64
Q

when is someone informed of miranda rights

A

after arrest, suspect is booked, fingerprinted, photographed, and informed of miranda rights

65
Q

does an officer have to make sure the person who is arrested that they UNDERSTAND miranda rights

A

yes

66
Q

when is a suspect brought before magistrate/judge, or commissioner

A

72 hours

67
Q

during arraignment the defendant is brought before court to hear…

A

charges and enter a plea

68
Q

what is the plea of guilty

A

admitting to the judge that one has committed acts which violate a law

69
Q

what is the plea of not guilty

A

one believes he or she has not violated the law

70
Q

what is the plea of not guilty by reason of insanity

A

meaning that at the time of the crime, the defendant was ‘unable to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of the acts

71
Q

what is double jeopardy

A

if he or she has already been tried for the same crime in the same court

72
Q

what is no contest

A

neither admits or denies the crime, but accepts punishment as though he/she were guilty

73
Q

preliminary or evidentiary hearing

A

a hearing before a judge to determine whether a person charged with a crime should be held for trial.

74
Q

grand jury

A

a group of people that are selected and sworn in by a court, just like jurors that are chosen to serve on a trial jury. A prosecutor will work with a grand jury to decide whether to bring charges, or an indictment, against a potential defendant

75
Q

indict

A

formally accuse a person of a crime

76
Q

plea bargaining

A

an agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge and the prosecutor in return drops more serious charges to avoid the cost and time of trial.

forensics (4 decks)

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