Physical Evidence

Question 1

Which of the following may be considered by a judge in qualifying an individual as an expert in his/her discipline?
a. training
b. university education
c. prior testimony
d. experience
e. all of the above

Answer 1

e. all of the above

Question 2

Who determines if an individual is permitted to testify as an expert at trial?
a. the jury
b. the bailiff
c. the prosecutor
d. both attorneys
e. the judge

Answer 2

e. the judge

Question 3

Forensic analysis which supports a statement or testimony made by an individual is known as
a. inclusion
b. disassociation
c. association
d. inconclusive
e. corroboration

Answer 3

e. corroboration

Question 4

In the case of Daubert v. Merrel Dow Pharmaceutical, Inc. the U.S. supreme court advocated that a “gatekeeper” determine the admissibility and reliability of scientific evidence. The gatekeeper is the:
a. expert witness
b. prosecutor
c. jury
d. trial judge
e. court clerk

Answer 4

d. trial judge

Question 5

T or F: An individual must be qualified as an expert witness in their discipline at each trial in which they appear.

Answer 5

true

Question 6

A forensic lab report can prove to be of value to the legal system, even if a case never goes to trial, by facilitating:
a. admissibility hearing
b. change of venue
c. jury selection
d. suppression hearings
e. plea-bargaining

Answer 6

e. plea-bargaining

Question 7

A negotiation between a defendant and a prosecutor in which the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence or reduction of charges is a:
a. plea-bargain
b. forensic deposition
c. presentence report
d. subpoena testificandum
e. peremptory challenge

Answer 7

a. plea-bargain

Question 8

Properties that can be attributed to a common source with an extremely high degree of certainty are:
a. class characteristics
b. individual characteristics
c. physical evidence
d. validated
e. none of the above

Answer 8

b. individual characteristics

Question 9

Evidence having class characteristics:
a. can exonerate an innocent subject
b. can link a person to a crime with a high degree of certainty
c. can always be fitted together in the manner of a jigsaw puzzle
d. have no evidential value at all
e. none of the above

Answer 9

a. can exonerate an innocent subject

Question 10

Linkages provide a much stronger evidence of association when:
a. the evidence is in the form of paint transfer from a suspected automobile
b. the linkages are based on the two-way transfer
c. one of the suspects is a woman
d. the evidence goes unrecognized and is not collected
e. the victim is dead

Answer 10

b. the linkages are based on the two-way transfer