Chapter 5 pollen and spore examination

Forensic Investigations MIDTERM EXAMINATION

1. The Scientific Method involves testing a hypothesis within its steps but also includes

a. Formulating a question worthy of investigation.

b. Formulating a reasonable hypothesis to answer the question.

c. Upon validation of the hypothesis, it becomes suitable as scientific evidence.

d. a and c

e. All of the above

2. Examples of securing a crime scene should include the boundaries of the crime scene must be secured with crime scene tape, ropes, or cones and that the secured area should include the area where the crime took place and the surrounding area where physical evidence may be located.

a. evidence, police officers

b. vehicles, physical evidence

c. boundaries, physical evidence

d. None of the above

3. Daubert Criteria for admissibility and validity of scientific evidence includes

a. Whether the scientific technique or theory can be tested

b. Whether the technique has been subject to peer review and publication

c. The years of a police officer’s experience

d. Existence and maintenance of equipment used for the testing of evidence

e. a and b

f. a and c

g. All of the above

4. The responsibilities of the first officer at the scene include

a. Acquiring medical assistance for injured victims

b. Detaining any potential suspects or witnesses

c. Securing the crime scene to the greatest extent possible

d. Calling for any additional personnel needs, such as other officers and/or forensic investigators

e. a and c

f. All of the above

5. A detailed log is kept of personnel movements in and out of the crime scene. This log should primarily include

a. personnel names and time of entry or exit.

b. vehicle license plate numbers.

c. the weather conditions.

d. your opinion of what occurred at the scene.

6. The walkthrough of the scene involves your initial survey of the crime scene and things taken into account should include a/an

a. perpetrator’s point of entry and exit are located.

b. indirect path is taken to the center of the crime scene.

c. obvious items of evidence are located and documented.

d. a only

e. c only

f. All of the above

7. Photographs taken at a crime scene should

a. show the only a portion of the crime scene

b. show the position of collected and uncollected evidence

c. show the point of view of police officers upon arrival

d. a and c

e. b and d

8. Departing the Crime Scene should include the following checklist of things to do

a. The experienced lead investigator decides when all pertinent physical evidence has been recorded and collected at the crime scene.

b. A final survey is undertaken to visually review the scene and collect all evidence and equipment.

c. Following the final survey, the crime scene is released to the proper authorities.

d. b only

e. All of the above

9. Crime Scene Notes begin when the investigator is contacted and requested to report to the crime scene. They should include

a. The identity of the person who contacted the investigator

b. Time of contact and arrival at the crime scene

c. Preliminary case information

d. Personnel present on arrival and those being contacted

e. a and c

f. All of the above

10. Which photographs are usually taken first?

a. Overview

b. Medium

c. Close-Up

d. None of the above

11. For a factual, unbiased reconstruction of the crime, the investigator, relying upon his or her training and experience, must not overlook any pertinent evidence.

a. True

b. False

12. Grid Search Patterns involve two or more investigators form a grid by searching in line patterns that overlap and are perpendicular to each other.

a. True

b. False

13. Quadrant/Zone Search Patterns involve the crime scene is divided into smaller sections (zones) with one or more investigators then being assigned to search each zone.

a. True

b. False

14. A digital photograph is made when a light-sensitive microchip captures light on each of millions of tiny picture elements, called pixels.

a. True

b. False

15. Bloodstain photography requires photographs of all pertinent stains and determined area of convergence or area of origin.

a. True

b. False

16. Latent fingerprint photography does not require photographs with a 1:1 scale.

a. True

b. False

17. The crime scene video does not include overview, medium-range, and close-up images.

a. True

b. False

18. An example of an Individual Characteristic is piece of evidence is when it can be compared only with a group and never with a single source.

a. True

b. False

19. An example of a Class Characteristic is determining whether or not a nylon fiber originated from a particular sweater, or that a paint chip came from a suspect car in a hit and run.

a. True

b. False

20. Forensic pathologists, in their role as medical examiners or coroners, are charged with determining cause, manner, and time of death.

a. True

b. False

21. Crime scene investigators are not responsible for ascertaining pre-mortem locations of the body and whether any post-mortem movement of the body occurred.

a. True

b. False

22. If biological or bloodstained materials are stored in airtight containers, the accumulation of moisture may encourage the growth of mold, which can destroy the evidential value.

a. True

b. False

23. Contamination is a key concern during the collection of DNA-containing specimens such as blood, saliva, sweat or skin cells; however, contamination cannot occur either by coughing or sneezing in a crime scene.

a. True

b. False

24. The forensic autopsy consists of an external examination and an internal examination.

a. True

b. False

25. The manner in which death occurred is classified in death certificates as one of five categories: Homicide, Suicide, Accidental, Natural, and Undetermined.

a. True

b. False

26. A pathologist can never give an exact time of death.

a. True

b. False

27. Livor mortis results in the loss of heat by a body as general rule the body loses heat by 1 to 1 1/2 degrees Fahrenheit per hour until the body reaches the environmental temperature.

a. True

b. False

28. Algor mortis results in the settling of blood in areas of the body closest to the ground (begins 20 minutes to three hours on death and continues up to 16 hrs.).

a. True

b. False

29. Forensic Anthropology is the study of insects and their relation to a criminal investigation, commonly used to estimate the time of death.

a. True

b. False

30. Physical evidence encompasses any and all objects that can establish that a crime has been committed or can provide a link between a crime and its victim or a crime and its perpetrator.

a. True

b. False

31. An Entry/Exit Log is a list of all persons who came into possession of an item of evidence.

a. True

b. False

32. The removal of any evidence from a person or from the scene of a crime must be done in conformity with Sixth Amendment privileges.

a. True

b. False

33. Surgery in its broadest definition is simply the examination of a body after death (i.e., a postmortem examination).

a. True

b. False

34. Forensic Astrology is concerned primarily with the identification and examination of human skeletal remains.

a. True

b. False

35. Each different item or similar items collected at different locations must be placed in separate containers.

a. True

b. False

36. In a highly populated crime scene, it is standard procedure to allow civilians and unauthorized personnel are excluded from the crime scene.

a. True

b. False

37. Calling for any additional personnel needs, such as other officers and/or forensic investigators usually depends upon the nature of the crime scene.

a. True

b. False

38. During the initial scene assessment, special attention is paid to items or conditions that suggest timing of the incident or do not appear to belong.

a. True

b. False

39. Physical evidence can be anything from massive objects to microscopic traces

a. True

b. False

40. In a Quadrant/Zone Search pattern, the crime scene is searched by allowing investigators to wander into sections they choose to be relevant and important, on their own, with no direction by the forensic investigator.

a. True

b. False

41. Forensic science is the application of ____________________to criminal and civil laws.

(Hint…it is one word)

42. ____________________states that when a criminal comes in contact with an object or person, a cross-transfer of evidence occurs.

(Hint…it is three words)

43. A ____________________Unit examines body fluids and organs for the presence of drugs and poisons.

(Hint…it is one word)

44. An expert witness is an individual who the ____________________determines possesses knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average person.

(Hint…it is one word)

45. The ____________________witness is called on to evaluate evidence based on specialized training and experience that the court lacks the expertise to do.

(Hint…it is one word)

46. In the ruling for Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, Inc., the U.S. Supreme Court asserted that ____________________were said to be ultimately responsible as “gatekeepers” for the admissibility and validity of scientific evidence presented in their courts, as well as all expert testimony.

(Hint…it is one word)

47. ____________________photographs show the layout of smaller significant areas of the crime scene and are taken with evidence markers in place to show the spatial relationships between and among pieces of evidence in greater detail than the overview photographs.

(Hint…it is two words)

48. ____________________photographs are taken last and show greater detail of individual objects or evidence.

(Hint…it is two words)

49. A ____________________ sketch is created at the crime scene and contains an accurate depiction of the dimensions of the scene and shows the location of all pertinent objects and features.

(Hint…it is one word)

50. The goal of a forensic/medicolegal autopsy is to determine the ____________________of death and confirm the ____________________ of death, often to be used in criminal proceedings.

(Hint…it is one word for each line; usually means the specific reason and how it leads to death)

Chapter 1:

The Crime Lab

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Definition of Forensic Science

Forensic science is the application of science to criminal and civil laws.

This book emphasizes the application of science that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system.

© 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved

Definition of Forensic Science

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Major Contributors in the Field

• Mathieu Orfila: the father of forensic toxicology.

• Alphonse Bertillion: devised the first scientific system of personal identification in 1879.

• Francis Galton: conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification.

• Leone Lattes: developed a procedure to determine blood type from dried bloodstains.

• Calvin Goddard: used a comparison microscope to determine if a particular gun fired a bullet.

• Albert Osborn: developed the fundamental principles of document examination.

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Major Contributors (continued)

• Walter McCrone: utilized microscopy and other analytical methodologies to examine evidence.

• Hans Gross: wrote the first treatise describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation.

• Edmond Locard: incorporated Gross’ principles within a workable crime laboratory.

– Locard’s Exchange Principle states that when a criminal comes in contact with an object or person, a cross-transfer of evidence occurs.

• Sir Alec Jeffreys: developed the first DNA profiling test in 1984.

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The Crime Lab

• The development of crime laboratories in the United States has been characterized by rapid growth accompanied by a lack of national and regional planning and coordination.

• At present, approximately 400 public crime laboratories operate at various levels of government—federal, state, county, and municipal.

• Many crime laboratories have “evidence technicians,” trained by the crime lab staff, on 24-hour call for evidence collection at crime scenes.

• Training ensures all pertinent evidence will be recognized and collected properly.

• Where no formal training exists, familiarity can be gained through lectures, tours of the lab, and evidence collection manuals.

© 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved

The Crime Lab

3 reasons for the increase in the number of crime laboratories:

– Supreme Court decisions in the 1960s responsible for police placing greater emphasis on scientifically evaluated evidence

– Crime laboratories inundated with drug specimens due to accelerated drug abuse

– The advent of DNA profiling

© 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved

Technical Support

The technical support provided by crime laboratories can be assigned to five basic services:

• Physical Science Unit: identifies and compares physical evidence.

• Biology Unit: investigates blood samples, body fluids, hair, and fiber samples.

• Firearms Unit: investigates discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition.

• Document Examination Unit provides the skills needed for handwriting analysis and other questioned-document issues.

• Photography Unit applies specialized photographic techniques for recording and examining physical evidence.

© 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved

Technical Support

Optional Services by Full-Service Labs

• Toxicology Unit examines body fluids and organs for the presence of drugs and poisons.

• Latent Fingerprint Unit processes and examines evidence for latent fingerprints.

• Polygraph Unit conducts polygraph or lie-detector tests. • Voiceprint Analysis Unit attempts to tie a recorded voice to

a particular suspect. • Crime Scene Investigation Unit dispatches specially trained

personnel to the crime scene to collect and preserve physical evidence.

© 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved

Special Forensic Science Services

• Forensic Psychiatry examines the relationship between human behavior and legal proceedings.

• Forensic Odontology involves using teeth to provide information about the identification of victims when a body is left in an unrecognizable state. Also investigates bite marks.

• Forensic Engineering is concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, and causes and origins of fires or explosions.

• Forensic Computer and Digital Analysis Unit examines digital evidence.

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The Scientific Method

1. Formulate a question worthy of investigation.

2. Formulate a reasonable hypothesis to answer the question.

3. Test the hypothesis through experimentation.

4. Upon validation of the hypothesis, it becomes suitable as scientific evidence.

© 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved

Skills of a Forensic Scientist

• A forensic scientist must be skilled in applying the principles and techniques of the physical and natural sciences to the analysis of the many types of evidence that may be recovered during a criminal investigation.

• A forensic scientist may also provide expert court testimony.

• An expert witness is an individual who the court determines possesses knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average person.

© 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved

Skills of a Forensic Scientist (continued)

• The expert witness is called on to evaluate evidence based on specialized training and experience that the court lacks the expertise to do.

• The expert will then express an opinion as to the significance of the findings.

• Forensic scientists also participate in training law enforcement personnel in the proper recognition, collection, and preservation of physical evidence.

© 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved

The Frye Standard

The Frye v. United States decision set guidelines for determining the admissibility of scientific evidence into the courtroom.

• To meet the Frye standard, the evidence in question must be “generally accepted” by the scientific community.

• 1993 - Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, Inc., the U.S. Supreme Court asserted that the Frye standard is not an absolute prerequisite to the admissibility of scientific evidence.

• Trial judges were said to be ultimately responsible as “gatekeepers” for the admissibility and validity of scientific evidence presented in their courts, as well as all expert testimony.

© 2013 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved

Daubert Criteria for Admissibility

• Whether the scientific technique or theory can be tested

• Whether the technique has been subject to peer review and publication

• The techniques potential rate of error

• Existence and maintenance of standards

• Whether the scientific theory or method has attracted widespread acceptance within a relevant scientific community

PowerPoint Presentation
Definition of Forensic Science
Definition of Forensic Science
Major Contributors in the Field
Major Contributors (continued)
The Crime Lab
Slide 7
Technical Support
Technical Support
Special Forensic Science Services
The Scientific Method
Skills of a Forensic Scientist
Skills of a Forensic Scientist (continued)
The Frye Standard
Daubert Criteria for Admissibility