DNA
What shape does DNA look like?
A long double helix
How many blood types are there?
8
What is the name of the job that looks at teeth and bite marks at crime scenes?
Forensic odontologists.
Who are often the first to arrive at a crime scene?
First responding officers.
'Spacing' is when you analyse the spaces between words and if they are equally spaced, crowded or far apart.
What nitrogen bases pair together?
Guanine + cytosine, adenine + thymine
What determines your blood type?
Alleles from your parents.
What job looks at insects and larvae at a crime scene?
Forensic entomologist.
Is calling in backup to help the injured a first responder's responsibility?
Yes.
Is a receipt considered a question document?
Yes.
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
What is blood made up of?
Red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), plasma, and platelets (thrombocytes).
How do crime scene investigators and ballistic experts work together?
Ballistic experts help to search for weapons and guns at crime scenes, as well as analyse them.
What are the two types of crime scenes and what is the difference?
A primary crime scene is the original location of a crime or accident.
A secondary crime scene is an alternate location where additional evidence may be found.
What is a question document?
Any signature, handwritten, mark, or other written mark whose authenticity or legitimacy is questioned or uncertain.
What is DNA made of? (Subunits and molecules that it's made of).
DNA is made up of nucleotides. These nucleotides are made up of a nitrogenous base, deoxyribose (a sugar molecule) and a phosphate group.
How is blood spatter analyse used in crime scene investigators?
It can show the direction the blood was moving, the pressure the wound was under and how long ago the crime happened.
What are three things serologists do?
1. Search for evidence of bodily fluids that may be found at a crime scene, either from the victims or the accused criminal.
2. Possibly be involved in blood spatter analysis
3. Aid the collection of DNA from the fluids they have collected.
What is Australia's version of the CSI? What do they do at a crime scene
The Victorian Police Forensic Services Department (VPFSD) is our version of CSI. It is split into 5 divisions, each responsible for their own field of science.
What is document analysis?
The examination and comparison of question documents with known material.
What are the 5 steps of DNA profiling? Give a brief explanation of each.
1. Extract and purify DNA: The DNA has to be recovered from the body, and be separated from other cellular materials and proteins.
2. Target and amplify DNA: DNA is cut using restriction enzymes at certain places. These are then copied to create a larger sample.
3. Tagging: Fluorescent tags are added to the sample.
4. Sizing and sorting: DNA is poured into a gel which is then charged. DNA will be attracted to the bottom of the gel as it has a positive charge and DNA has a slightly negative charge. Larger pieces of DNA will move slower and will be closer to the top.
5. DNA profiling: A excites the fluorescent tags and a pattern of bands is formed representing the length of the DNA. The thicker the line, the more of the same size there is.
What are the two types of blood tests? Give two examples for each.
Presumptive Tests:
Kastle-Meyer test
Luminol test
Confirmatory Tests:
Takayama test
RSID test
Name 5 jobs in forensics.
List 5:
Ballistics Expert, Toxicologist, Odontologist, Entomologist, Meteorologist, Serologist, Musicologist, Palynologist, Botanist, Anthropologist, Geologist, psychologist, arson investigator, graphologist, pathologist/ medical examiner
What is the job of a first responder?
They must: first make sure that if the victim is alive and medics are on their way, secure the area with crime scene tape or other barriers, make sure that the evidence does not get compromised, make sure that witnesses do not leave the crime scene, analysis the crime scene and photograph and document evidence.
What are the three types of forgery?
Freehand simulation, tracing, and disguised writing.