Ch. 1: Forensic Science and Observational Skills
What is the first step in the scientific method?
State the problem or question
What is the term described here: 'Whenever two people come into contact with each other or with an object, a physical transfer occurs'?
Locard's Principle of Exchange
Why are hair and fiber samples considered trace evidence?
They are small & can easily be left behind at a crime scene.
Name the three major ridge patterns for fingerprints.
Arch, loop, and whorl
What is the term descred as the degree to which a substance is poisonous or can cause illness?
Toxicity
What is a factor that can influence our ability to observe and our ability to remember sensory information?
Vision capabilities; number of people around us; emotional involvement; distractions
A death that is presented as a suicide, but is indeed covering up a murder is known as a ______ crime scene.
staged
Name the three sources of natural fibers.
Plants, animals & minerals
Why are fingerprints considered individual evidence?
No two people will ever have the same fingerprints.
What is a drug or other chemical whose distribution, possession, and use are regulated by the legal system (needs identification or prescription)?
Controlled substance
The length of a knife blade is an example of ______ evidence.
quantitative
Which of the following are examples of physical evidence: a firearm, a blood sample, a fingerprint, or a dead body?
A firearm & a fingerprint (NO DNA!)
What protein is hair composed of?
Keratin
True or False: Identical twins will have the same fingerprints.
False
If someone drinks an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time, causing them to become violently sick and lose consciousness, which type of poisoning is that individual experiencing?
Acute poisoning
The smell of gasoline is an example of ______ evidence.
qualitative
Which of the following is/are example(s) of class evidence: blood type, shoe size, DNA obtained from a hair follicle, or clothing?
Blood type, shoe size & clothing
Define amorphous.
No definite shape.
Which type of crime scene print is described as a three-dimensional fingerprint made using soft material?
Plastic fingerprint
Which type of toxicology test is used to reveal the identity of a substance?
Confirmatory test
How do humans gather information from their environment subconsciously (without thinking)?
By applying FILTERS to select information to the brain
Name THREE of the Seven S's of Crime Scene Investigation.
1. Secure the Scene
2. Separate the Witnesses
3. Scan the Scene
4. See the Scene
5. Sketch the Scene
6. Search for Evidence
7. Secure & Collect the Evidence
What is the difference between nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA?
Nuclear DNA provides individual evidence.
Mitochondrial DNA provides class evidence (family history).
What are fingerprint minutiae?
The small, unique ridge characteristics
Name the TWO roles of a toxicologist.
1. Explains scientific data about drugs/toxins/poisons to a courtroom
2. Studies the effects of drugs/toxins/poisons on the body