chapter 3 forensics

Determining that an explosive mixture contains dynamite is an example of the process of:

A: Class characterization

B: Individualization

C: Identification

D: Comparison

C

The greatest weakness of class evidence is that examiners cannot assign exact or even approximate probability valuesto the comparison of most class evidence.

A: true

B: false

A

Physical evidence is considered to have ________ that of eyewitness (testimonial) evidence

A: less value than 

B: not comparable to 

C: the same value as

D: greater value than 

D

Eyewitness testimony and confessions are not as susceptible to dispute, human error, or bias as class evidence.

A: true 

B: false 

B

Physical evidence can be used to exonerate or exclude a person from suspicion if:

A: Evidence taken from suspect is obtained voluntarily

B: It is collected in accordance with the Fourth Amendment

C: It does not have a well-documented chain of custody

D: The standard reference sample (control) from the person does not share characteristics with evidence at the crime scene

D

Class characteristics are properties of evidence that can be attributed to a common source with an extremely highdegree of certainty

A: true 

B: false 

B

Evidence having class characteristics can:

A: Always be fitted together in the manner of a jigsaw puzzle

B: Have no evidential value

C: Link a person to a crime with a high degree of certainty

D: Exonerate an innocent suspect

D

Paint chips, random glass fragments, and synthetic fibers all exhibit:

A: Class characteristics

B: Identification characteristics

C: Individual characteristics

D: Comparison characteristics

A

As the number of objects linking an individual to a crime scene increases, so does the likelihood of that individual's involvement with the crime.

A: true 

B: false 

A

CODIS is maintained by the FBI and thus does not enable local crime laboratories to electronically exchange and compare DNA profiles.

A: true 

B: false 

B

A component of the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network is called:

A: CODIS

B: PDQ

C: IBIS
D: both A and B 

C

Identification is the process of determining a substance's physical or chemical identity.

A: true 

B: false 

A

Bloodstains only have class characteristics.

A: true 

B: false 

B

Most items of physical evidence retrieved at crime scenes can be linked definitively to a single person or object

A: true 

B: false 

B

Which of the following is a national fingerprint and criminal history system maintained by the FBI and launched in 1999?

A: NIBIN

B: PDQ 

C: IAFIS
D: SICAR

C

Class evidence is not unique and therefore not useful to forensic scientists.

A: true 

B: false 

B

It is a duty of the forensic scientist to draw a conclusion about the origins of the specimens.

A: true 

B: false

A

Forensic databases are maintained for all of the following EXCEPT:

A: dental impressions 

B: fingerprints 

C: DNA

D: automotive paint 

A

Evidence with individual characteristics can lead to a determination of common origin (single source). Which type of evidence CANNOT yield such results?

A: wear patterns on the tires 

B: random striations on tools

C: single-layer paints 

D: fingerprints 

C

The computerized database used to store DNA information is:

A: NIBIN

B: CODIS
C: drugfire 

D: AFIS 

B

The jury ultimately determines the significance of physical evidence in a trial.

A: true 

B: false 

A

The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) became fully operational in what year?

A: 1978

B: 1991

C: 1999

D: 1998

D

The "jigsaw fit" of known and questioned fragments is important for court presentation primarily because:

A: This method will definitely demonstrate common origin when a match is made.

B: Courts and juries are too nonscientific to understand it any other way.

C: Instrumental analysis is too complicated to explain to nontechnical juries.

D: It is a quick way of demonstrating how the object broke.

A

The likelihood of finding class physical evidence is ________ the likelihood of finding physical evidence with individual characteristics.

A: less than 

B: not comparable to 

C: greater than 

D: the same as 

C

A comparison analysis subjects a suspect specimen and a control specimen to the same tests and examinations for the ultimate purpose of determining:

A: If they are identical in chemical composition

B: Whether or not they have a common origin

C: If the same person handled them

D: If they are alike in molecular structure

B