Introduction to Forensics
This process uses observations to answer questions; made up of a Question, Hypothesis, Experiment, Observation, Analysis and Conclusion
Scientific Method
Fingerprints are important to Forensic Science because no two fingerprints are ________.
Alike
What are fibers?
Tiny strands from clothing, carpet, or furniture.
Through Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA), scientists can put together the _________ of events that led to bloodshed.
Sequence
Chromatography is an analysis method that helps _______ mixtures.
Separate
Forensic Science uses the scientific method to analyze ___________, solve crimes, and assist in legal proceedings.
Evidence
Fingerprints stick to _________ and therefore, tell us who was at a crime scene.
Stick
What category is Hair and Fiber Analysis placed under?
Trace Evidence
Iron (Fe)
Chromatography is used to ________ people, places and things to crime!
Connect
Some forensic scientists will travel to ______ ______ to collect evidence, while other forensic scientists have a more __________ role.
Crime Scenes, Laboratory
Name the tools that forensic scientists use to find fingerprints.
Dusting Powder, Clear/Lifting Tape
What is the difference between real and synthetic hair?
Real hair comes from a real person. If the root is attached, scientists can pull a person’s DNA.
Synthetic hair is fake and made from plastic.
What is Luminol? How is it used in forensics?
Luminol is a special chemical that is used by forensic scientists to detect blood that was hidden or cleaned up. When luminol touches blood, it glows blue in the dark.
How is chromatography used to analyze trace evidence?
Scientists test hairs, fibers, and even evidence from a gun to connect a suspect to a crime.
The different categories of Forensics are also known as:
Branches
What are Minutiae?
The unique, microscopic ridge characteristics that distinguish one fingerprint from another.
Name one method that is used to collect hair and fibers.
Acceptable Answers: Visual Inspection, Tape Lifting, and Vacuuming
Name one piece of information that BPA can reveal about a crime.
Acceptable Answers: Directionality, Angle of Impact, Velocity, Area of Convergence & Origin
Name a type of chromatography method and what it is used for.
Acceptable Answers: Gas Chromatography-Used to locate smelly substances, like gasoline or drugs.
Liquid Chromatography-Used to test blood, urine or other bodily fluids.
Thin-Layer Chromatography-Used to identify inks, dyes, or colors in things like notes, pens or clothing.
Name one category of Forensics and explain what it studies.
Acceptable Answers: DNA Analysis, Trace Evidence, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Trace Evidence
Name the three types of fingerprints. Describe the patterns.
Loops: curve back on themselves to form a loop shape.
Whorls: form circular or spiral patterns, like whirlpools.
Arches: create wave-like patterns.
Name one type of Hair and Fiber Analysis method. Explain how it is used.
Acceptable Answers: Microscopic Analysis use microscopes to compare the characteristics of unknown hairs and fibers with known samples.
Chemical Analysis identifies what the fibers are made up of.
DNA Analysis extracts DNA to tell exactly who it came from.
Define chemiluminescence.
The production of light during a chemical reaction.
Name a type of crime that chromatography can be used to solve.
Acceptable Answers: Drug Analysis, Arson Investigation, Toxicology, Ink and Paper Clues