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TEST 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

How long have fingerprints been known for?

A

2,000 years

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2
Q

Development of fingerprints

A

Scientists just now understanding how they are formed in the womb
10th week of gestation
As basal layers of skin grow, they’re influenced by environment around it

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3
Q

Arch

A

fingerprint pattern in which the ridge pattern originates from one side of the print and continues to the other side

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4
Q

Loop

A

a fingerprint pattern in which the ridge pattern flows inward and returns in the direction of the origin

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5
Q

Core

A

center of a loop

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6
Q

3 basic fingerprint pattersn

A

Arch (mountain)
Loop (look at your thumb)
Whorl (target)

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7
Q

Types of fingerprints

A

Patent- visible pattern left on a smooth surface when fingers coated with blood, ink, or some other substance touch a surface and transfer their print
Plastic- a three-dimensional fingerprint made in soft material such as clay, soap or putty
Latent- concealed fingerprints made visible through the use of powders or forensic techniques

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8
Q

Minutae

A

the combination of details in the shapes and positions of ridges in fingerprints that makes each unique; also called ridge characteristics

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9
Q

Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)

A

Developed by FBI
National database of fingerprints
76 million fingerprints and criminal histories
Local, state and fed agencies submit prints (though not legally req)

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10
Q

New Generation Identification (NGI)

A

Facial scans

Physical characteristics

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11
Q

How are latent fingerprints lifted?

A

Ninhydrin
Cyanoacrylate Vapor
Silver Nitrate
Iodine Fuming

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12
Q

Ninhydrin

A

Used on paper
Object dipped or sprayed w/ ninhydrin and left 24 hours
Reacts with amino acids to make prints visible- blue/purple print

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13
Q

Cyanoacrylate Vapor

A

Used on metal, plastic and glass
Sample is heated in vapor tent
Reacts with amino acids- reveals white print

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14
Q

Silver Nitrate

A

Used on wood and styrofoam
Dipped or sprayed with silver nitrate
Chloride from salt of perspiration combines with nitrate to form silver chloride
Reveals brown/black prints

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15
Q

Iodine Fuming

A

Used on paper or cardboard
In vapor tent, heat solid iodine crystals
Iodine combines with carbohydrates in latent print
BRIEFLY reveals brown-ish print that has to be photographed before it goes away

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16
Q

Edward Foster

A

Established Canada’s National Fingerprint Bureau

Trained by Scotland Yard in England

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17
Q

Use of fingerprints

A

In China since 300 BC
In Japan since 702 AD
In America since 1902

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18
Q

What is the first case that allowed fingerprint evid in court?

A 
Hiller Case (1912)
Creepy dude goes to the houses and molests mom then another house and molests daughter, shoots father etc
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19
Q

DNA

A

Deoxyribonucleic Acid
Double Helix of genetic material
Self replication material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes, it is the carrier of genetic info

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20
Q

Chromosome

A

Threadlike structure of nucleic acids that contains DNA in humans

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21
Q

Gene

A

Segment of DNA that codes for a trait

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22
Q

Electrophoresis

A

Method of separating molecules, such as DNA, according to size

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23
Q

Genome

A

All the DNA found in human cells

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24
Q

Polymerase Chain Reaction

A

PCR is a method of amplifying tiny amounts of DNA evid for use in investigations

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25
Q

DNA fingerprint

A

Pattern of DNA fragments obtained by analyzing a persons unique sequences of noncoding DNA

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26
Q

Combined DNA Index System

A

FBI’s computerized criminal DNA databases as well as software used to run these databases- includes National DNA Index System

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27
Q

What is DNA made of?

A

Deoxyribose Sugar and one of 4 nitrogenous bases- Cytosine, Guanine, Adenine, Thymine

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28
Q

Who first described DNA?

A 
James Watson and Francis Clark in 1953
"Twisted Ladder"
46 Chromosomes in human body composed of tightly coiled DNA
X, Y Chromosomes
44 Autosomes in homologous pairs
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29
Q

DNA Fingerprinting

A 
Began in 1980s
Dramatically impacted the field of forensic science
Used to solve: 
-ID the guilty
-ID disaster and war victims
-Exonerate the innocent
-Missing persons cases
-Cold cases
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30
Q

Collection of DNA

A 
Wear disposable gloves and change them often
Disposable instruments
Avoid touching areas where DNA may exist
Avoid talking, sneezing or coughing on evid
Avoid touching your face
Air-dry evid
If it cannot be dried, freeze it
Put evid in new bag
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31
Q

Polymorphism of DNA

A

High variability
Located w/i non coding regions of DNA
Consist of repeating base sequences
# of differs with each individual

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32
Q

Short Tandem Repeats

A

STRs
Consisting of 50 bases
More easily recovered
FBI uses 13 core STRs

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33
Q

What are the top 3 ways to get DNA?

A

Blood
Semen
Saliva
DON’T RE-WET IF DRIED

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34
Q

What kills DNA evid?

A

sunlight
moisture
heat

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35
Q

Uses of DNA profiling

A

Many different uses
Consistent advances
Used to prove guilt
Exonerate the innocent

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36
Q

How does CODIS work?

A

In case of sexual assault where an evid kit is collected from the victim, a DNA profile of suspected perp is developed from the swabs of the kit
Forensic unknown profile attributed to suspected perp is searched against their state database of convicted offender and arrestee profiles
If there is candidate match, the lab will go through procedure to confirm match, and obtain ID of perp

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37
Q

What happens if tehre is a hit in the DNA database when trying to find a match?

A

Once match is IDed by CODIS lab involved in the match exchange info to verify match and est coordination b/w their two agencies
The match of forensic DNA record against DNA record in database may be use to est. PC to obtain and evidentiary DNA sample from suspect

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38
Q

Why do labs only send out hit notifications to the LE contributor?

A

LE agency sends crime scene evid to forensic DNA lab for analysis and production of DNA record
At time of hit, there amy not be an open or active investigation or other judicial processing and therefore the submitting LEA becomes the lab’s point of contact for hit notifications

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39
Q

Is any personal info relating to the convicted offenders, arrestees or detainees stores in these DNA databases?

A

No names or other personal identifiers are stored using the CODIS software. Only the following is stored and can be searched:

  • DNA profile
  • Agency identifier of submitting agency
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40
Q

What precautions are taken for safeguarding the info in these DNA databases?

A

Computer terminals/servers are located in safe space
Access to these files limited to few individuals with access to CODIS and approved by FBI
Fed law- DNA ID Act of 1994-restricts access to CJ agencies for LE purposes only
Def. is allowed access to samples and analysis performed for their own case
Unauthorized disclosure of DNA data is subject to criminal penalty not to exceed $250,000

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41
Q

Agglutination

A

Clumping of cells caused by an antigen-antibody response

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42
Q

Angle of IMpact

A

angle at which blood strikes a target surface relative to the horizontal plane of the target surface

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43
Q

Antibodies

A

proteins secreted by white blood cells that attach to specific antigens

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44
Q

Antigen

A

substance that provokes an immune response in the body

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45
Q

History of Blood Spatter

A 
2500 BC- Blood letting
1628- Sir William Harvey noted continuous circulation w/i the body
1659- blood cells first viewed through microscope
1874- discovered platelets
1901- discovered blood types A, B, O
1935- First able to store blood
1971- developed antibody detection
1987-2000s- Blood screening
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46
Q

4 main Blood components

A

Plasma- 35% of total blood volume
Platelets- causes blood to clot
Red blood cells
White blood cells- only part that has DNA

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47
Q

Red Blood Cells

A

Carry gasses: Oxygen and carbon monoxide

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48
Q

Hemoglobin

A

located in RBCs; carry iron-containing proteins taht bind to oxygen in the lungs

49
Q

White Blood Cells

A

Body locates foreign elements: bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
Converge on location and engulf/digest foreign elements

50
Q

Blood types and Forensics

A

Prior to DNA profiling, blood types were used as CLASS evid
Used to exclude a person as a suspect
It is all about the antigens

51
Q

Karl Landsteiner

A

Noticed that all blood does not mix freely- AGGLUTINATION

52
Q

Rh Factor

A

Discovered in 1940
85% of human population has protein called Rh factor int heir RBCs
Blood that has Rh factor is designated Rh+

53
Q

3 tests for blood types

A

Mix with A antigens
Mix with B antigens
Mix with Rh

54
Q

Probabilities of blood types

A 
A- 42%
B- 12%
AB- 3%
O- 43%
Rh+ 85%
Rh- 15%
55
Q

History of Blood spatter analysis

A

1895- Edward Piotrouski wrote the earliest reference for BSA
Baltnazard was first to research spatter pattern
1955- used to exonerate Sam Shepard
1971- physics of blood spatter used in investigations

56
Q

Cohesion

A

Blood molecules are attracted to one another
Blood tends to stick together as it falls
Round droplets

57
Q

Directionality

A

The shape of drop shows direction it came from
Easily determined by the pointed end of the blood
90 deg indicated by circular drops

58
Q

Shapes of blood drops

A

As blood tavels across a surface it adheres to the surface
Cohesion means most of blood stays with original drop
Point of impact is larger than traveling edge

59
Q

Trail of circular drops

A

Passive- indicate someone walking while bleeding

60
Q

Cast off

A

Seen on walls and ceiling

Flying off weapons

61
Q

Blood transfer

A

Wet bloody surface contacts a second surface with minimal lateral motion (ex: bloody footprint)

62
Q

Wipe

A

Object moves through partially dried blood w/ lateral motion altering appearance

63
Q

Swipe

A

Lateral transfer of wet blood from moving source onto a surface
Feathered edge indicated direction from source

64
Q

Arterial Gush

A

Blood exiting body under pressure from an artery and striking a surface: peaks indicate heart contraction

65
Q

Expired blood

A

Blood blown out of nose/mouth as a result of air pressure, similar to high-velocity; often w/ bubbles

66
Q

Shadowing or void

A

Absence of blood in a pattern

67
Q

Toxicology

A

Study of drugs, poisons, toxins, their metabolities and other substances that can harm people

68
Q

Poisons

A

natural or manufactured chemicals that can cause severe harm

69
Q

Toxins

A

Naturally occurring poisonous substances that living things produce

70
Q

Toxicity

A

degree to which a substance is harmful

71
Q

Areas of interest for forensic toxicology

A

Misused legal drugs
Illegal drugs
Environmental toxins

72
Q

Brief history

A

Socrates- death by drinking poisonous tea
Charles Norris- NYC’s 1st Medical Examiner developed standardized techniques and testing to help determine the cause of death

73
Q

Less that __% of all homicides are poisons

A

5

74
Q

Georgi Markhov

A

Born 1929 in Bulgaria
Became BBC and Radio Free Europe broadcaster speaking against communism
Poisoned by ricin by KGB
Dead 4 days later

75
Q

Ricin

A

natural toxin developed by castor beans

76
Q

4 ways to be exposed to toxins

A
  1. Ingesting them
  2. inhaling
  3. injecting
  4. absorbing through skin
77
Q

Exposures to toxins are done i what 3 ways

A
  1. Intentionally- taken as drug to treat illness and relieve pain
  2. Accidentally- unintentional
  3. Deliberately- taken as in suicide
78
Q

Factors determining toxicity

A 
Dose- how much
Duration- frequency or length of exposure
Nature of exposure
Interactions w. other medications
By-products (ex wood alcohol)
79
Q

Presumptive Testing

A

Most is colorimetric
Microscopic examination of plant matter
Microcrystalline (small crystals that form in blood)
Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectronomy

80
Q

Types of poisoning

A

Acute- caused by high dose over short period of time (ex cyanide)
Chronic- caused by low doses over longer periods of time (ex chemotherapy, lead, mercury)

81
Q

Heavy metals

A 
Suicides, homicides and accidental deaths have occurred throughout history due to exposure to heavy metals
Arsenic- in water
Lead- paint
Mercury- industrial waste
Stored in the soft-tissues of the body
Can damage organs
82
Q

Carbon Monoxide

A

Used in nazi death camps

83
Q

Hydrogen Cyanide

A

used in US penal system during 1900s
Cyanide occurs naturally
Inhaled with cigs

84
Q

Potassium Chloride injections

A

slows the heart’s electrical signals

85
Q

Sodium pentothal injection

A

acts as depressant and slows CNS

86
Q

Drugs

A

half of US prison pop. is there because of drug related offenses:
possession/distribution
Drugs contributed to crimes
Drug-using lifestyle where frequency of illegal activity is increasing

87
Q

How much is spent each year because of effects of drug abuse (federally)?

A

$600 Billion

88
Q

Schedule Drugs

A

Schedule 1: no medicinal use, high potential abuse (ex heroin)
Schedule 2: severely restricted medical use, high potential for abuse (ex cocaine, methamphetamine)
Schedule 3: Accepted medical use, moderate potential for abuse (ex Ketamine)
Schedule 4: Medical use, low potential for abuse and low risk of dependency (ex Xanax)
Schedule 5: Wide medical use, very low potential for abuse (ex: tylenol w/ codeine)

89
Q

Stimulants

A 
Highly addictive (ex meth)
Increase energy and alertness
Suppress appetite
Users develop tolerance
High blood pressure
Depression often replaces euphoria
Meth leads to severe weight loss, dental problems, cardiac and neurological damage)
90
Q

Narcotics

A

Used in pain management (morphine, codeine)
Long term use can lead to addiction- can become addicted to oxycodone and hydrocodone
Symptoms include: difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, contracted pupils

91
Q

Depressants

A

Reduce anxiety and produce sleep (ex Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines)
Highly addictive
Slows heart rate
Slows breathing rate
OFten fatal when combined with alcohol which is a CNS depressant

92
Q

Anabolic Steroids

A

Promote tissue and cell growth and division
Chemical structure similar to testosterone
Became popular in 1930s
Side effects: increased body hair, baldness, acne, blood clotting, cancer
Not addictive- people do for results

93
Q

Document Experts

A

Must apprentice under experienced document experts
Certifications by:
-American Board of Forensic Document Experts
-Board of Forensic Document Examiners

94
Q

Handwriting

A

Everyone’s is unique
If document is questioned, it is compared with an exemplar
Handwriting analysis 1st questioned in 1868
-ROBINSON v MANDELL- forged will
Lindbergh case
US ct of Appeals 1999 recognized handwriting analysis as expert testimony

95
Q

Factors effecting handwriting

A

Mood
Pace
Utensils
Medical conditions

96
Q

12 Characteristics of Handwriting

A
  1. Line Quality
  2. Spacing
  3. Size Consistency
  4. Continuous
  5. Connecting letter
  6. Letters complete
  7. Cursive or printed letters
  8. Pen pressure
  9. Slant
  10. Line habits
  11. Fancy curve or loops
  12. placement of crosses on t’s and dots on i’s
97
Q

Line quality

A

do the letters flow or are they erratic or shaking

98
Q

Spacing

A

Are letters equally spaced or crowded

99
Q

Size consistency

A

is the ratio of height and width consistent?

100
Q

continuous

A

is the writing continuous or does the writer lift hte pen?

101
Q

Connecting letters

A

are uppercase and lowercase letters connected?

102
Q

Letters complete

A

Are the letters completely formed or are parts of the letters missing?

103
Q

Pen pressure

A

Is pressure equally applied to upward or downward strokes?

104
Q

Slant

A

left, right or variable?

105
Q

Line habits

A

is the text on the line, above or below?

106
Q

What do you do if you don’t have an exemplar?

A

Writing sample must be obtained
Do not inform suspect that sample will be analyzed
Dictated is more natural than copied
Avoid conscious writing effort
-Do not show the suspect the questioned or evid doc
-Do not provide the suspect guidance in punctuation or spelling

107
Q

Ways of handwriting analysis

A

Unaided eye
Infrared Spectroscope- pressure of utensil etc
Biometric signature Pads- like at grocery store- speed, rhythm, pressure, data analyzed by expert
Computerized Analysis- Forensic Information SYstem for Handwriting (FISH)- USSS in charge

108
Q

Handwriting Analysis in Court

A 
Subject Matter Expert (SME) presents a written report
Def and Pros question SME
SME explains how analysis was done
Explains how SME arrived at conclusion
Req. strong factual evid
Def will likely have its own analysis
109
Q

Short comings of handwriting analysis

A

Quality of exemplar determines quality of analysis
Can fall victim to effect that mood, age, drugs, fatigue, and illness have on person’s handwriting
Ultimately is subjective
Certifications are important
Should be used in conjunction with other evid
Paints only a piece of the puzzle

110
Q

Forgery

A

When accompanied by potential for financial gain, it becomes fraud
Accomplished by document alteration

111
Q

Different types of document alterations

A

Erasure- physical erasure can be seen under stereomicroscope; chemical erasure can be seen under UV or IR light
Crossouts- use of something can expose writing crossed out
Additions- UV or IR lights can distinguish b/w ink
Burning- some inks and leads burn more slowly than paper, may be revealed under angled light

112
Q

Approx how much money is cashed in bad checks each day?

A

$27 million

113
Q

Methods of forgery

A

Ordering someone else’s check from deposit slip
Altering a check
Intercepting a check and altering it
Creating from scratch

114
Q

Methods used to prevent check forgery

A

Print checks on chemically sensitive paper
Use large font size that req. more ink and makes alterations more difficult
Use high-res borders on checks that are difficult to copy
Print in multiple color-patterns
Embed fibers in checks that glow under different types of light
Use chemical-wash detection systems that change color when check is altered

115
Q

Mark Hoffman

A

Famous forger- sole income from 1980-1985

Specialized in mormon documents and money

116
Q

Counterfeiting

A

Typically forging of currency but can also refer to the production of fake brand name products
One of oldest crimes
COunterfeting US currency is federal felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison
USSS charged with counterfeiting investigations
Gov changes layout of bills routinely to throw off counterfeiters
Safeguards built into $100 make most expensive to produce

117
Q

Detecting a counterfeit

A

Counterfeit detecting pen- ink causes chemical reaciton with starch; marketed as 98% effective
Bill bleaching- turning $1 into $100 bill
Additional safeguards

118
Q

8 ways to spot a coutnerfeit

A
  1. portrait stands out
  2. fed and treasury seals
  3. border
  4. serial #s must be same color as seals
  5. Filaments
    6.
    7.
    8.
119
Q

14 features of authentic bills

A
  1. portrait stands out from BG
  2. Microprinting on security threads
  3. serial # color and spacing
  4. Letter and quadrant #
  5. Fed seal, no sharp points
  6. Treasury seal, sharp points
  7. filaments
  8. fed # and letter
  9. series
  10. check letter and face plate #
  11. watermark
  12. color shifting #
  13. clear disctint BG
  14. Clear distinct borders

Forensic Science (3 decks)

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