Personal Identification

Question 1

What are the two things identification is based on?

Answer 1

1. single, unique identifier and/or presence of multiple consistent features
2. comparison of ante- and postmortem

Question 2

Why is the biological profile important in identification?

Answer 2

need to get a short list of possibilities before you can get access to these records

Question 3

Corroboration of multiple methods can ____ probability of correct identification.

Answer 3

increase

Question 4

What are the three types of identification?

Answer 4

1. tentative
2. circumstantial
3. positive

Question 5

Tentative

Answer 5

suspected

Question 6

Circumstantial

Answer 6

based on strong consistencies between the remains and the missing person (is enough for a verdict)

Question 7

Positive

Answer 7

preponderance of evidence, agreement from multiple uncorrelated pieces of evidence

Question 8

What are the four general methods of obtaining a positive ID?

Answer 8

1. comparative radiography
2. craniofacial/photographic superimposition
3. forensic odontology
4. non-imaged records comparison

Question 9

What are the general structures used for comparative radiography?

Answer 9

sinuses, vertebrae, clavicles

Question 10

What are the two methods to compare radiography?

Answer 10

point-by-point visual comparison and measurement comparison

Question 11

True or False: All characteristics must agree for a positive identification.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

Why is the frontal sinus significant?

Answer 12

the scalloping of the each side of the frontal sinus is unique to each individual

Question 13

How does comparing vertebral patterns work?

Answer 13

compare outlines of inferior, superior, lateral, and anterior margins of vertebral bodies, score according to outline shape

Question 14

Why is clavicle comparison so helpful?

Answer 14

chest xrays are super common!

Question 15

How does clavicle comparison work?

Answer 15

uses radiograph and 3D model to calculate shape using elliptical fourier analysis

Question 16

What are some other useful structures for comparison?

Answer 16

other sinuses, pattern of trabecular bone, antemortem pathological conditions or anomalies, surgically or dental implanted devices

Question 17

What does craniofacial superimposition use?

Answer 17

a picture of a skull with an antemortem photograph

Question 18

What are the methods of comparison used for craniofacial superimposition?

Answer 18

1. point-by-point
2. qualitatively
3. quantitatively

Question 19

Why is craniofacial superimposition significant?

Answer 19

most often used to corroborate other methods, easy to get photographs in the digital age

Question 20

What is forensic odontology comparison?

Answer 20

comparing antemortem dental records with results of a postmortem examination

Question 21

What are the methods used to compare odontology?

Answer 21

shape of fillings and other dental work, and types of bite

Question 22

Can bite mark analysis be used for identification?

Answer 22

No!!!!!

Question 23

How does non-imaged records comparison work?

Answer 23

1. identify injury or pathology
2. obtain antemortem medical records or dental charts for the suspected deceased
3. compare antemortem records to skeletal remains for consistencies and inconsistencies

Question 24

What are two less used methods of individualization?

Answer 24

identification by exclusion, DNA testing

Question 25

When is identification by exclusion primarily used?

Answer 25

when there are mass fatalities at a closed site (ie plane crash)

Question 26

Molecular anthropologiests

Answer 26

qualified to perform both skeletal and molecular analysis

Question 27

Forensic anthropology ____ molecular analysis, while molecular analysis can ____ assessments.

Answer 27

guides; confirm

Question 28

Why is DNA not often used in forensic anthropology?

Answer 28

its time consuming and expensive; you still need something to compare it to

Question 29

Gene

Answer 29

sequences of DNA or RNA that code for a molecule that has a function

Question 30

Genome

Answer 30

the total content of genetic information in an organism

Question 31

Base pairing

Answer 31

interaction of 2 bases through a hydrogen bond

Question 32

Locus

Answer 32

the specific location of DNA sequence on a chromosome

Question 33

PCR

Answer 33

polymerase chain reaction; process used to amplify sections of DNA

Question 34

STR

Answer 34

short tandem repeats; DNA sequence container <50 repeated short sequences

Question 35

SNP

Answer 35

single nucleotide polymorphism; change in 1 nucleotide

Question 36

What are the four types of DNA tests?

Answer 36

1. autosomal STR profiling 2. mtDNA 3. DNA-based sex testing 4. hair and eye color prediction

Question 37

How does autosomal STR profiling work?

Answer 37

analysis and profile from number of repeats of a specific loci

Question 38

Why is mtDNA best used if DNA is old or damaged?

Answer 38

found in the mitochondria and there are many mitochondria in a single cell

Question 39

What is the only genetic predication that is validated for forensic use?

Answer 39

only eye color prediction