CSI Basic
What is the first step a forensic investigator should take when arriving at a crime scene?
Secure the scene to prevent contamination.
What is the difference between cause of death and manner of death?
Cause of death is the specific reason (e.g., gunshot), while manner of death is the classification (e.g., homicide, suicide).
What is the importance of being observant at a crime scene?
Observational skills help identify evidence and witness statements accurately.
: What are the three main parts of a hair?
The cuticle, cortex, and medulla.
What role do insects play in forensic science?
Insects help estimate the time of death by their life cycle stages found on the body.
Name one method used to document a crime scene.
Photography, sketching, or note-taking.
What is autopsy?
A medical examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death.
Name one technique for improving observation skills.
Practice focusing on details and avoiding distractions
How can forensic scientists determine if hair is human or animal?
By examining the scale pattern and medullary index under a microscope.
Name one type of insect commonly used in forensic entomology.
Blowflies or beetles.
What is the purpose of a crime scene perimeter?
To restrict access to the scene and preserve evidence.
What are livor mortis and rigor mortis?
Livor mortis is the pooling of blood after death; rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles.
How can bias affect observations?
Bias can lead to misinterpretation of evidence or overlooking important details.
What can hair analysis reveal about a suspect?
It can provide information on the individual's identity, environmental exposure, and possible drug use.
How can temperature affect insect development on a corpse?
Temperature influences the rate of growth and development of insects.
Explain the chain of custody.
A process that maintains the integrity of evidence by tracking its handling from collection to court presentation.
Name one sign that can indicate a person has been dead for a long time.
Decomposition or advanced rigor mortis.
What does the term "perception" refer to in forensic investigation?
The process of interpreting sensory information from the environment.
Why is it important to have a control sample of hair?
Control samples help in comparing and confirming the origin of the questioned hair.
What is the term for the study of insects?
Entomology.
What types of evidence can be collected at a crime scene?
Physical evidence, biological evidence, trace evidence, and digital evidence.
Describe the process of estimating time of death.
It involves assessing body temperature, rigor mortis, livor mortis, and decomposition.
Explain the role of eyewitness testimony in forensic science.
Eyewitness testimony can provide crucial information but may also be unreliable due to factors like stress or memory decay.
Describe the process of DNA extraction from hair.
DNA is extracted from the hair follicle, if present, through chemical or physical methods
Explain how forensic entomologists estimate the post-mortem interval.
By analyzing the species of insects present and their developmental stages.