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Intro to Forensic Science > Midterm > Flashcards

Midterm Flashcards

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1
Q

The scientific method is:

A

a method used by investigators to reconstruct crime scene events; a multi step method of inquiry used by scientists

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2
Q

What are considered manners of death?

A

Natural
Accident
Homicide
Undetermined

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3
Q

What is not considered a manner of death?

A

Blunt force trauma

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4
Q

If the K and Q samples do not match, what conclusion should be reported in the forensic laboratory report?

A

Exclusion

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5
Q

What are the two types of physical matches?

A

Direct and indirect

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6
Q

The “body” or basic elements of a crime are described by the Latin term:

A

Corpus Delicti

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7
Q

What problem do you encounter when putting biological evidence in plastic packaging?

A

Mold can grow and destroy any DNA present

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8
Q

What is the first step in the processing of physical evidence?

A

Recognition

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9
Q

What acronym refers to the investigative database that contains known and unknown DNA profiles?

A

CODIS

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10
Q

The science that examines the effects of extraneous materials such as poisons on the human body is known as:

A

toxicology

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11
Q

What is the definition of “forensic science”?

A

The application of science to the law

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12
Q

Tangential fracture lines have the following characteristics:

A

encircle the point of impact

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13
Q

GSR patterns around a bullet hole are determine:

A

the muzzle to target distance

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14
Q

What individual established one of the world’s first police crime laboratories in Lyon, France?

A

Edmond Locard

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15
Q

What is not considered a class characteristic of fingerprints?

A

A dot

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16
Q

What is an example of an indentation?

A

Tire marks in snow

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17
Q

A blood droplet striking a non absorbent surface at a 10 degree angle of impact would form a bloodstain with the following shape:

A

A highly elongated ellipse

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18
Q

A comparison shows that a questioned specimen does not originate from a known source. This result is termed:

A

An exclusion

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19
Q

The type of marking made on a hard surface by the movement of a hard object across that surface is specifically known as:

A

a striation

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20
Q

What is the acronym refers to a computer database of fingerprints?

A

AFIS

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21
Q

What is an example of a striation mark?

A

Tool marks on a door frame from forced entry

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22
Q

What is the purpose of ASCLD/LAB?

A

to provide agencies with accreditation standards

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23
Q

In the Daubert decision, the Supreme Court issued guidelines for the admissibility of scientific evidence and advocated the role of “gate keeper” for which individual?

A

the trial judge

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24
Q

What factors influence the final appearance of the bloodstain that is formed when a blood droplet strikes a surface?

A
  • The volume of blood
  • The texture of the target
  • The impact angle
  • The absorbance of the target surface
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25
Q

GSR is an acronym used by forensic science to represent::

A

gun shot residue

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26
Q

SWGFAST was a group made up of examiners proficient in what area?

A

fingerprint analysis

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27
Q

What investigative database contains known and unknown fingerprints?

A

AFIS and IAFIS

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28
Q

What is an example of a deposit?

A

Pollen on a car

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29
Q

Forensic science differs from traditional sciences because the results of physical evidence examination are:

A

used in legal proceedings

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30
Q

If the K and Q patterns match, what conclusion should be reported in the forensic lab report?

A

the known source is included as the source of the questioned sample

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31
Q

The national computer database of fingerprints that is maintained by the FBI is called:

A

IAFIS

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32
Q

What is an example of a transfer medium?

A

Pencil lead

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33
Q

What patterns can be used for crime scene reconstruction?

A
  • Blood patterns
  • Track and trial patterns
  • Tire and skid mark patterns
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34
Q

What is not an example of an individualization pattern?

A

Tire and skid marks on the pavement

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35
Q

A blood droplet striking a non absorbent surface at an 80 degree angle of incidence would form a bloodstain with the following shape:

A

nearly circular

36
Q

The science which studies the flight of a firearm’s projectile through the air is called:

A

Ballistics

37
Q

Establishing the exact whereabouts of an item of evidence and under whose control it was from the time its collection to its admissibility as evidence in court is known as maintaining:

A

chain of custody

38
Q

Radial fracture lines have the following characteristics:

A

radiate outward from the point of impact

39
Q

What is a cause of death?

A

Blunt force trama

40
Q

Skid mark patterns can provide the following helpful information for crime scene reconstructions:

A
  • The direction of movement of the vehicle
  • The number of vehicles involved in an accident
  • The exact location of the accident
41
Q

What are examples of a class characteristic of footwear?

A

Size
Honeycomb sole pattern
Color
Heel height

42
Q

What criteria would be used by the Court of Law to qualify a forensic scientist as an expert in his/her field?

A

Experience
Education
Training

43
Q

What are the three types of fingerprints that can be found at a crime scene?

A

Latent, Plastic, Patent

44
Q

What forensic organization is involved with the accreditation of forensic laboratories and crime scene units?

A

ASCLD/LAB

45
Q

What are techniques used to improve the contrast between pattern evidence and background?

A

Side lighting
Fingerprint powders
Photoshop
Chemical dye stains

46
Q

What forensic science profession involves bite mark comparisons?

A

Forensic odontology

47
Q

What is an example of a primary physical match?

A

Pieces of a broken mug

48
Q

The best container for a bloody shirt is:

A

a brown paper bag

49
Q

Probable cause is defined as:

A

sufficient evidence to believe a crime has been committed

50
Q

The pattern that is created when a bloody object in motion comes in contact with a non bloody surface is called a:

A

swipe

51
Q

What are examples of evidence that could potentially yield a direct match?

A
  • A knife blade broken in half
  • A broken chain link
  • A broken automobile glass headlamp
  • A plastic button broken into two pieces
52
Q

T/F Criminalistics is a forensic science discipline that involves the recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence using methods of science.

A

True

53
Q

T/F The normal variation within an individual’s handwriting is expected to be much less than the variation between handwriting from two different individuals

A

True

54
Q

T/F A forensic pathologist may specialize in “profiling” of perpetrators in serial murder or serial rape cases

A

False

55
Q

T/F A physical match between two pieces of a fence board that was sawn apart is an example of an indirect physical match.

A

True

56
Q

T/F A connection, relationship, or association between objects/persons/locations is termed a exclusion.

A

False

57
Q

T/F If a suspected tool is available at the crime scene, it should be carefully inserted into the tool mark to check for an exact fit.

A

False

58
Q

T/F Mikrosil is a photographic technique used to improve contrast of pattern evidence.

A

False

59
Q

T/F A drip stain is an example of a high velocity blood pattern.

A

False

60
Q

T/F The cone shaped pattern at the point of impact of a projectile with a glass window is expected to be wider on the side of glass where the impact occurred.

A

False

61
Q

T/F Hair falling from a perpetrator to a crime scene surface by the force of gravity is an example of a deposit.

A

True

62
Q

An experience forensic scientist will be able to fit together fractured pieces even if they were not originally part of the same item.

A

False

63
Q

An example of medium velocity impact blood splatter is the pattern resulting from a gunshot wound.

A

false

64
Q

The make and model of a vehicle can be determined using tire and skid marks.

A

False

65
Q

The angle of impact of a blood drop is not a factor in the appearance of bloodstain/blood pattern

A

False

66
Q

Wear patterns on the bottom of a shoe are considered to be class characteristics

A

false

67
Q

If a crash reconstruction officer measures the length of skid marks at an accident scene, she can use the length to determine the speed of a vehicle that left those skid marks at the time the operator applied the brakes.

A

True

68
Q

Criminal Profiling creates a hypothetical picture of an offender in an unsolved case.

A

False

69
Q

Low velocity impact blood splatter patterns are created by gravity acting upon a blood splatter.

A

True

70
Q

Gunshot residue consists of burned and unburned particles of gun powder and nothing else.

A

False

71
Q

Clothing or objects scattered around a residential crime scene may provide indications of a struggle or simply reflect the typical living conditions of the owner.

A

True

72
Q

Draw and explain the Linkage Triangle

A

Draw that shit.

The only way a scene, suspect, and victim are linked is through evidence.

73
Q

Explain the Locard Principle of Exchange and provide a crime scene situation that illustrate his principle.

A

When two people come into contact with each other, there is a mutual exchange of material.

Exchange of semen/vaginal cells

74
Q

Explain the significance of the Daubert decision on the admissibility of scientific and technical evidence: specifically, who was appointed the gatekeeper and what four criteria does that person use to determine the admissibility of scientific and technical evidence?

A

gatekeeper = the judge

  • generally accepted (Frye)
  • subject to rigorous testing
  • subject to error rate analysis
  • peer reviewed
75
Q

Explain the steps involved in the Scientific method. How is the scientific method important in both forensic science and crime scene reconstruction?

A
  • Observation
  • Formulate hypothesis
  • Test hypothesis
  • Record and retest to see if the result is indeed accurate

Important: helps connect evidence to suspects and determines what really happens at crime scenes. Rules for natural science: scientific method

76
Q

Define class and individual characteristics. Give one example of each as they pertain to footwear evidence. Give one example of each as they pertain to fingerprint evidence.

A

Class: a description of a specific group of objects
Footwear: marks made by a sneaker v a boot
Fingerprint: whorls, arches, loops

Individual: a difference that sets an object apart from its class 
Footwear: wear on a shoe due to time 
Fingerprint: an individual's specific print and structure.
77
Q

Define “K” and “Q”. Define Inclusion and Exclusion as they relate to K and Q

A

Q: questioned specimen; origin unknown
K: Known specimen; origin known

Inclusion: If K and Q samples come from the same origin
Exclusion: If K and Q samples do not come from the same origin

78
Q

Define and differentiate between Indentation and Imprint. Give an example of each.

A

Both are used in identification purposes.

Indentation: 3D impression in a soft, receiving surface; shoe print in the snow

Imprint: 2D impression on a hard surface left in a medium; fingerprint in blood

79
Q

You find a bloody shirt at a crime scene. What type of packaging should be used for the shirt? Explain why. What type of packaging should not be used? Explain why.

A

Packaging that should be used: paper, so the material can breathe and nothing will grow that could contaminate.

Packaging that should not be used: plastic, too restricting and could cause mold to grow, which could contaminate evidence.

80
Q

Name three investigative databases. Explain what each acronym means and what type of evidence each contains.

A

AFIS: Automated Fingerprint Identification System; fingerprints

CODIS: Combined DNA Index System; DNA

NIBIN: National Integrated Ballistic Information Network; ballistics

81
Q

List the three main fingerprint patterns used to classify fingerprints. List the three primary minutiae that can be combined to form other minutiae.

A

Patterns: whorls; arches; loops

Minutiae: ridge ending; branching off; short ridge

82
Q

You are a crime scene technician. What are the three types of photographs that you need to take and what will each type demonstrate to a jury?

A

Overall: scene at arrival

Midrange: showing spatial relationship w/ evidence and surrounding evidence

Close up: individual evidence photos

83
Q

You are a firearms examiner. A detective submits a yellow and red striped t shirt with a defect in the left side of the chest and apparent gunshot residue around the defect. Explain the steps you will take in estimating a muzzle to target distance for the detective.

A
  • obtain a gun similar to what is thought to have been used
  • obtain samples of the exact same yellow and red striped defect
  • using the weapon, shoot the left side of the chest of the samples until a pattern emerges that matches the evidence.
  • muzzle to target distance would be the one that matches
84
Q

What does the acronym ASCLD/LAB stand for?

A

American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/ Lab Accreditation Board

85
Q

List three variables that can affect the appearance of a blood stain.

A
  • surface texture
  • velocity
  • movement of a person at a scene

Intro to Forensic Science (12 decks)

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