Physical Evidence
Name one type of physical evidence
Objects (literally anything), fingerprints, DNA, etc.
What is the purpose of a crime scene sketch?
To document evidence and help investigators form a case
How many windows are in my classroom?
What is minute physical evidence classified as?
Trace evidence
What type of physical evidence would you need in the case of a suspected forgery or counterfeiting operation?
Document (pattern) evidence
What two things are a coroner or medical examiner responsible for when they arrive on a scene?
Establishing (potential) cause and time of death
What do you need for literally any piece of physical evidence you collect to compare it to?
A reference (sample)
How many chromosomes are in a normal human cell (diploid, 2n)?
46
What subset of physical evidence does DNA fall under?
Biological
Markings on a shell casing or bullet are what type of evidence?
Pattern or impression
Name one thing that has to be worn when collecting evidence.
Gloves, shoe covers, aprons, safety glasses, etc.
What is the process by which evidence collection and labwork is meticulously documented?
Chain of custody
What model year was OJ Simpson's infamous Ford Bronco?
1993
When detectives explain that contact with another person, place, or object results in an exchange of physical material, what principal are they describing?
Locard's Exchange Principle
Name one thing you can learn from studying blood at a crime scene.
Cause of death, blood type of victim, and blood type of suspect (if present).
What property of camera lenses makes photos inadequate for documenting a crime scene?
Focal length
What is the difference between biological and pattern evidence?
Biological: from someone, could be used to positively identify an individual; Pattern: some type of impression, usually physical evidence
What are the two types of DNA tested in PCR and other laboratory tests?
Nucleic DNA (nDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
What was the major piece of physical evidence missing in the OJ Simpson case?
The knife (murder weapon)
What is the scientific study of blood called?
Serology
Name one piece of information that has to be included in a crime scene sketch to make it admissible in court.
Case number, date and time, signature of sketch artist, legend, scale, etc.
Name one reason chain of custody is important.
What is the chemical used to test for the presence of blood called?
Luminol