Module 3

Question 1

When processing the scene of a death, what are some considerations prior to moving the body

Answer 1

1) photograph the body in situ
2) examine body visually
3) examined with forensic Lightsource
4) use bags on the hands, feet and head
5) Collect fragile evidence

Question 2

Name the common bio-hazards associated with violent crime or death scenes as well as which arti-facts at the scene present bio-hazards

Answer 2

1) blood
2) urine
3) feces
4) saliva
5) vomit
6) infectious disease (HIV, hepatits, etc)

Question 3

What is Adipocere

Answer 3

A gray – white coloured wax like substance as a result of decomposition of fatty tissue in deceased bodies caused by the hydrolysis of lipids. Occurs as early as two weeks or as late as two months post death, dependant on variables such as temperature/weather, items around the body (plastic) and/or burial/embalming methods

Question 4

What is forensic odontology

Answer 4

The use of dental knowledge in identifying bite marks or unknown human remains. Teeth and bite marks can be compared against dental records of a suspect’s teeth/test impressions to identify a source or to identify a deased person. The main application is in identifying deceased individuals.

Question 5

In nanometers, what is the wavelength of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum

Answer 5

400-700 Nanometers

Question 6

The term luminescence is a general term that incorporates various phenomena including thermoluminescence, bio luminescence, chemical luminesence Which in turn includes fluorescence and phosphorescence. Briefly describe what each term means

Answer 6

Thermoluminescence; light admission as a result of heating or radiation

Bio luminescence; light admission from a biological process

Chemical luminescence; light emission from a chemical process

Photoluminescence; light emission from absorption of light energy

• florescence; light emitted during excitation
• phosphorescence; light emitted after excitation

Question 7

During the process of qualifying yourself as an expert in court defence counsel asks are you an expert in the location, development, collection, analysis and identification of fingerprints. How would you answer this?

Answer 7

Only a judge can deem an examiner an expert however, with training and experience in the area of crime scene examination, evidence collection and specifically, analysis, comparison and evaluation of fingerprtints I am qualified to provide an accurate opinion and therefore I am an expert in this area.

Question 8

Often forensic identification personnel will make reference in the reports or during testimony to unsuitable friction Ridge impressions. During cross-examination, defence counsel asked you to clarify the expression for the court and describe what a suitable impression is. How would you clarify the expression to the court in order to reflect your impartiality

Answer 8

That there was sufficient information in quantity and quality to identify to a known source or to exclude

Question 9

What does AFIS acconym stand for

Answer 9

Automated fingerprint identification system

Question 10

How are latent fingerprints or physical evidence, developed at a crime scene, to be marked prior to photographing and lifting

Answer 10

1) circle the impression
2) assign an R or F number
3) file number
4) date
5) initials

Question 11

It is likely that the ridge detail of a fingerprint which has been developed with chemistry powder can be further enhance by the application of lightning gray powder. What about the reverse?

Answer 11

Yes, it can work both ways. Best success with a first application of silver powder, photograph and lift the impression, use a guttural breath on the impression, then develop with chemistry powder, photograph and lift again

Question 12

What method would you use to develop/enhance a fingerprint on a waxy or a oily surface

Answer 12

1) florescence examination
2) Sudan black
3) cyanoacrylate
4) Chemist gray powder

Question 13

List 2 recommended methods of developing/enhancing latent fingerprints on plastic bags

Answer 13

1) cyanoacrylate, view with white light and further process with fluorescent dye stains if applicable
2) Vacuum metal deposition

Question 14

If silver gray fingerprint powder is used to examine a black, plastic cash register tray, what will probably happen to the fingerprint powder when it applied

Answer 14

The impression will over develop and/or fill in

Question 15

List two recommended methods of lifting a finger print from a very rough surface or oddly shaped surface

Answer 15

1) gel/rubber lifter

2) impression moulding materials
- White school style glue
- Coe-flex

Question 16

Where will you locate the recommended formula for preparing ninhydrin working solution

Answer 16

1) recipe book for chemical solutions located in the FIS office
2) Q-Pulse; search for ninhydrin working solution
3) copy of recipes received from the Canadian police college

Question 17

Which technique is recommended for developing fingerprints on wet or damp, non-porous surfaces

Answer 17

Small particle reagent or molybdenum disulfide

Question 18

How can you intensify a week fingerprint developed with magna fingerprint powder

Answer 18

Guttoral breath or chemical process such as ninhydrin or DFO

Question 19

Describe the cyanoacrylate fingerprint development process

Answer 19

Occurs in a sealed chamber in which moisture is introduced creating humidity. Cyanoacrylate is heated on an element causing it to evaporate and as a result this bapor of water/cyanoacrylate polymerizes on the sweat/sebaceous oils and appear as white friction ridges. Post processing, dye stains can be used to enhance impression further and subsequently view them with the appropriate alternate light source for the dye being used

Question 20

Name five different chemical reagents that could be used to enhance fingerprints in blood

Answer 20

1) DFO
2) Ninyhrin
3) Amido black
4) Leuco crystal violet
5) Hungarian Red

Question 21

How would you enhance a friction ridge impression, believed to be blood, on a dark colored, nonporous surface

Answer 21

It could be enhanced with a chemical such as acid yellow 7, VMD, CA or powders

Question 22

Will cyanoacrylate fuming interfere with acid yellow seven an acid violet 17 development of a bloody impression on a nonporous surface

Answer 22

Yes it will prevent the dye from reaching the blood

Question 23

Explain the proper procedure to conduct a presumptive test of a stain, suspected to be blood, using a hemastix and what precautions should be taken

Answer 23

Indirect test. Sterile swab. Drip sterile water on swab. swab a small area of the stain away from the main/Central part of stain. Place swab on hemastix. Note result. If swab is taken subsequently, note on the envelope that indirect hemastix test was conducted. New gloves should be worn between each swab and examiner should wear a mask.

Question 24

What are the three main categories of bloodstains encountered a crime scenes

Answer 24

1) gravity
2) Spatter
3) Transfer

Question 25

List seven factors that may be determined by the analysis of blood stains

Answer 25

1) Point of origin 2) position of victim 3) Direction of impact 4) movement of person shedding blood 5) movement of person after incident 6) Number of impacts by object 7) Object/source distance

Question 26

In a scene where you suspect blood has been cleaned up, prior to any chemical use, how would you conduct your visible examination and where

Answer 26

Begin with white light and florescence light source examination in areas where blood may have been missed when the cleanup was conducted (furniture, walls, ceilings, clothes, cracks of floors, etc.)

Question 27

How is infrared photography helpful in documenting bloodstain patterns on some surfaces

Answer 27

It can be useful on dark or multicolour surfaces where the blood is not visible with white light alone

Question 28

Is Luminol a presumptive test for blood

Answer 28

Yes

Question 29

Name three basic types of construction used to manufacture tire

Answer 29

1) Radial 2) bias ply 3) bias Belted

Question 30

Name seven basic components of the modern radial tire

Answer 30

1) tread 2) bead (heal/toe) 3) plies 4) belts 5) sidewall 6) shoulder 7) cap

Question 31

In a forensic tire examination it is important to know whether a tire was manufactured before or after the date of offence for which the tire is alleged to have been involved. Which numbers represent which from this serial number. DOT PDL9 BYC 4405

Answer 31

DOT = meets/exceeds DOT standards PD = Manufacturer’s location L9 = Tire size number BYC = Optional manufacturer numbers 4405 = date: 44th week of 2005

Question 32

What is meant by the term mold rotation or mold offset

Answer 32

When the top and bottom halves of a tire mold or misaligned or offset leaving a defect or imperfection in the tire

Question 33

Name two annual publications which can assist in identifying possible automotive tire brand

Answer 33

1) tire guide Inc. | 2) Who makes it? And where? Directory

Question 34

List three of the five factors that may cause irregular or accelerated vehicle tire wear

Answer 34

1) over/under inflation 2) incorrectly balanced 3) toe is in/out 4) camber out of alignment

Question 35

An integral part of the forensic analysis and comparison of a vehicle tire impression is the identification of the noise treatment. Explain the term and it’s significance to the analysis

Answer 35

A technique of positioning geometric shape tread elements in a varied arrangement on a radial tire in a manner in which the pitch of each element is positioned to reduce road noise. The noise treatment pattern can assist in narrowing the search of the area of the tire for the purposes of comparison as it is not repeated throughout the radial tire circumference

Question 36

A vehicle tire impression has been linked to a crime scene. Research indicates that the tire with that particular tread pattern is manufactured by Goodyear but the second suspect vehicle has a Moto master tire with the same tread pattern. How could this occur.

Answer 36

1) Goodyear made the tires for Moto master | 2) Goodyear sold molds to Moto master

Question 37

What is the recommended procedure to measure the wheelbase of a vehicle using only it’s tire tracks

Answer 37

From the leading edge of the front tire to the leading edge of the back tire

Question 38

Explain the procedure to determine the track with of a vehicle based on its tire marks which have been left in the dirt

Answer 38

Measure from the centre of the tire tread to the centre of the tire tread of the front and rear sets of tires

Question 39

To avoid damaging a three dimensional impression in snow, when using liquid sulphur as a casting medium, what is the most critical time prior to pouring

Answer 39

When the Sulphur begins to cool

Question 40

What concerns were raised by the NAS committee pertaining to friction ridge examination and more specifically ACE-V methodology

Answer 40

- that ACE-V is a broadly stated framework for conducting friction ridge analysis - too broad to ensure repeatability and transparency - this framework is not specific enough to qualify as a validated method for this type of analysis - does not guard against bias; up to the examiner to remain objective - does not guarantee that two analysts following it will attain same result

Question 41

According to the PCAST report what two Black box studies validate the ACE-V process

Answer 41

1) FBI/Noblis Black box study | 2) Miami Dade black box study

Question 42

According to the OSAC response to the PCAST REPORT, what is the correct false positive rate in the Miami Dade black box study

Answer 42

0.19 %

Question 43

What is cognitive bias

Answer 43

An individuals construction of reality not based on factual input. Biases may sometimes lead to perceptual distortion, inaccurate judgment, illogical interpretation

Question 44

What is meant by adequate documentation

Answer 44

The documentation of the conclusions and reasoning of an examiner in a transparent manner. The documentation should be sufficient in detail so that another examiner could understand the basis for which the conclusion was made and be able to re-create the process taken.

Question 45

What conclusions were drawn from the 2011 FBI and Noblis corporation study into error rates

Answer 45

False positive rate 0.1% False negative rates 7.5%

Question 46

What is meant by inter-examiner agreement

Answer 46

The process of two examiners reaching the same conclusion on the same fingerprint comparison

Question 47

What is meant by Intra-examiner agreement

Answer 47

The process of an examiner consistently reaching the same conclusion on the same fingerprint comparisons

Question 48

Examiners repeated _________% of their identification decisions

Answer 48

89.1%

Question 49

What is meant by sufficiency?

Answer 49

Whether or not there is sufficient quality and quantity of friction ridge detail to continue on to comparison

Question 50

Stokes Shift

Answer 50

The difference of wave length of light between excitation light...and light emitted as a result of excitation. Think of UV light used on ardrox. The green light emitted as a result of being hit with UV is a longer wavelength of light and the difference between excitation light and emitted light is the stokes shift.

Question 51

What is confirmation bias

Answer 51

Tendency to search or interpret information in a manner that supports one’s preconceptions. An example would be bias from the known because you’re comparing the known to the unknown

Question 52

What is contextual bias

Answer 52

The effect of information or outside influences has on the evaluation and interpretation of data. An example would be GIS giving you arrest prints from a suspect and saying “he’s the guy it must be him”

Question 53

Dysplasia is a medical condition of friction skin. What is the origin of this medical condition?

Answer 53

A medical condition which occurs during the formation of friction ridges resulting in disassociated ridges. Ridge units that did not form friction ridges due to a genetic cause. Abnormal development of cells within tissues.

Question 54

Question

Question 55

Reasons to experiment with fingerprint forgeries

Answer 55

Allows an examiner the ability to distinguish between real and forged impressions Fingerprint moulds and transfers - unexplainable voids - inconsistencies with clarity - too many consistencies with multiple impressions of same mould - distortions not consistent; smearing, but no lateral or rotational movement - distortion not consistent with the substrate the impression was transferred from or on to - inconsistencies of foreign information, such as geometric shapes not consistent with the substrate Ability to determine a forgery in an investigation can prove a person’s innocence.

Question 56

Dr William BABLER

Answer 56

1980-present. Dr Babler researched the prenatal morphogenesis of dermatoglyphic traits of friction ridge skin specifically relate to birth defects and their implications on ridge development. He testified at the Daubert hearings.

Question 57

8 components of the tire tread

Answer 57

- groove - notch - rib - rib element - lug - sipes - noise treatment - bead - bead heel - beed toe - sidewall - cap - shoulder - plies - belts - liner

Question 58

What are the databases are searched when DNA is sent to the lab?

Answer 58

CODIS (FBI) and National DNA database (RCMP) which includes 1) Crime Scene Index 2) Convicted Offender Index 3) Victim’s Index

Question 59

If file has a retention period of more than 10 years, what do you do with the digital images? What is the appropriate policy?

Answer 59

All photos are burned to a onc-time writable gold archival CD or DVD disc For rention longer than 10 years, all images shall be printed Consider individual 4x6 inch photos or ‘4-up’ format of 4, 3.5x5 inch photos on a 8.5x11 inch photo quality paper

Question 60

What does Forensic mean

Answer 60

The use of science and technology in investigations and to you bring forth facts and evidence to a court of law

Question 61

ACE-V is a methodology used by the Forensic Indentification members. What is that methodology based on; what is its origin?

Answer 61

HUBER initially discussed ACE-V in 1959. - purpose was to describe the philosophy of science & the correct use of the scientific method - HUBER described hypothesis testing as it related to the comparative sciences. - Used the words analyze, compare and evaluate (ACE) and the need for verification to describe this philosophy.

Question 62

Explain the term class characteristic as related to footwear and footwear impression

Answer 62

In footwear these would be size, shape, style and pattern design. Predetermined nail holes and flaws in teh mold repeated in every sole or heel in the same place are also considered class characteristics if two or more shoes have them

Question 63

Define the term RAC as it relates to footwear

Answer 63

Randomly Acquired Characteristic is a cut, tear, wear mark, randomly placed nail holes and flaws acquired during or after manufacturing but not reproduced on subsequent soles or heels manufactured

Question 64

Name 3 lesser known erroneous identifications

Answer 64

Lana Canen was charged with murdering a 94 year old woman after her FP was found at the scene. The police officer who did the comparison had no training in fingerprint examination. Dwight Gomas charged with robbery after an examiner identified his impression left at the scene. It was later determined to be an error by a senior examiner. Richard Jackson was convicted of murder after 3 FP examiners testified to the identification of his FP at the scene.