Physical Evidence

Question 1

Define the following terms:
Tangible:

Answer 1

Something that can be seen, felt, heard, smelled, etc and can be collected and analyzed in a crime lab

Question 2

Define the following terms:
Probative:

Answer 2

Relevant to the case

Question 3

Define the following terms:
Testimonial evidence:

Answer 3

What someone says such as statements from police officers, witnesses, victims or suspects

Question 4

Define the following terms:
Class evidence:

Answer 4

Evidence that can be said to originate from a particular group only, NOT from a particular individual

Question 5

Define the following terms:
Individual evidence:

Answer 5

Evidence that can be said to have originated from a single individual

Question 6

Define the following terms:
Bench trial:

Answer 6

A trial with no jury; only the judge will hear the evidence and decide the verdict

Question 7

Define the following terms:
Jury trial:

Answer 7

A trial where 12 people plus 1 alternate will hear the evidence and decide the verdict

Question 8

Define the following terms:
Identification test:

Answer 8

A test to determine what a particular substance is; performed on the evidence sample

Question 9

Define the following terms:
Comparison test:

Answer 9

A test that analyzes both an evidence sample and a known sample, then compares the results from the two to determine if they could have originated from the same source

Question 10

Define the following terms:
Positive control:

Answer 10

A test using a known substance that should give a definite POSITIVE result

Question 11

Define the following terms:
Negative control:

Answer 11

A test using a known substance that should give a definite NEGATIVE result

Question 12

Define the following terms:
Database:

Answer 12

A collection of known samples from known sources analyzed with currently used, proven methods

Question 13

Define the following terms:
Manipulation blank:

Answer 13

A test where a substance (usually plain water) is used; will check for contamination in the chemicals used to conduct the test

Question 14

Define the following terms:
Evidence sample:

Answer 14

A sample collected from a victim, suspect or crime scene in connection with a crime

Question 15

Define the following terms:
Known sample:

Answer 15

A sample collected from a known source with a proven chain of custody (such as a cheek swab from a suspect for DNA analysis)

Question 16

Define the following terms:
Probability:

Answer 16

The frequency of the occurrence of an event

Question 17

What are three types of identification tests?

Answer 17

1. Identifying a body fluid on evidence (such as blood, semen or saliva)
2. Identifying a white powder is a certain drug like heroin or methamphetamine
3. Determining that a piece of glass recovered from the wounds of a hit and run victim was auto glass

Question 18

Give three examples of comparison tests:

Answer 18

1. Comparing the DNA profile of semen recovered from a sexual assault victim to the DNA profile of the suspect
2. Comparing the tire tread pattern left at the scene of a homicide to the tire tread pattern of the suspect’s vehicle
3. Comparing the striations on a bullet recovered from the body of a homicide victim to the striations on a bullet fired from the suspect’s gun

Question 19

Individual or class evidence: Hair (looking at it under the microscope)

Answer 19

Class Evidence

Question 20

Individual or class evidence: Drug evidence

Answer 20

Class Evidence

Question 21

Individual or Class evidence: Plant material (you could tell the species of plant, but not the individual plant)

Answer 21

Class Evidence

Question 22

Individual or Class evidence: Accelerant of a fire like gasoline

Answer 22

Class Evidence

Question 23

Individual or Class evidence: Fibers

Answer 23

Class Evidence

Question 24

Individual or Class evidence: Auto paint or glass

Answer 24

Class Evidence

Question 25

Individual or Class evidence: Fingerprints

Answer 25

Individual Evidence

Question 26

Individual or Class evidence: DNA

Answer 26

Individual Evidence

Question 27

Individual or Class evidence: Footwear impressions

Answer 27

Individual Evidence

Question 28

Individual or Class evidence: Handwriting

Answer 28

Individual Evidence

Question 29

Individual or Class evidence: Tire impressions

Answer 29

Individual Evidence

Question 30

Individual or Class evidence: Toolmarks (including striations on bullets or cartridge cases)

Answer 30

Individual Evidence

Question 31

Why is it important to always process evidence samples PRIOR to processing known standards?

Answer 31

To prevent cross-contamination of the evidence sample with any material from the known sample.

Question 32

Which type of evidence is most common at crime scenes? Class or Individual?

Answer 32

CLASS!!!!