Forensics

What is a crime scene?

A Physical Location

What are some examples of physical evidence?

Fingerprints, weapons, glass

Rank the types of evidence from least reliable to most reliable.

Least reliable- Testimonial

Middle - Physical

Most reliable - Trace

Compare a primary and secondary crime scene.

Primary - the original location of crime

Secondary - alternate location where evidence is found

What are the steps of crime scene protocol in order?

Interview, Examine, Document, Process

An alibi is:

Where you sat you are at the time of crime

Discuss the job of each person who works at a crime scene

Police Officer - first to arrive; securing

CSI Unit - documents; collects evidence

District attorney - obtains warrants

Medical examiner - cause of death; called if needed

detective- interview

State Locard’s Principle and explain how it helps in crime investigation.

“Every contact leaves a trace”

If you were to witness a crime and later asked to describe the suspect to someone who draws a picture of them, the picture is known as a:

facial composite

Why are fingerprints unique (2 reasons)?

B/c they are produced by DNA

they’re altered by life experiences

List the 3 classes of fingerprints and tell how common each one is

Arches- 5%

Whorls- 35%

Loops- 60%

Define a latent print and tell how to lift it.

When sweat and oil leaves a print

By putting fingerprint powder on it and lifting it

What are the points of similarity in fingerprints called?

Minutiae

What is the national database for fingerprints?

AFIS

What is the study of lip prints called and how can lipstick be

useful in solving a crime?

Cheiloscopy lipstick found at a crime scene can be compared to known samples using paper chromatography

List examples of impression evidence

Shoe prints, tool marks, tire tracks, bite marks, and a fired bullet

How would you document tire impression evidence? Shoe impression evidence?

2d collecting an impression taking a picture with a scale, casting shoe (Picture, Casting, Inking)

What is the most famous case where bite mark evidence was

used in a conviction?

Ted Bundy

What evidence could be obtained from a bite mark?

DNA, When it happens, Animal/Human

Which one is absent in some people

Medula

List some natural and synthetic fibers.

Natural - cotton, Wool

Synthetic- Nylon, polyester, rayon

What are some ways to tell the age of a skeleton?

Teeth, Sutures on skull, and growth plates

List the ways to tell the difference between a male and female skeleton

Pubic Arch ( Narrow/v - male; Wide/U - female)

Square facial features- male; Round facial features- - female

Browbone - Male

What are the 4 components of blood?

Red blood cells

White Blood Cells

Platelets

Plasma

How much blood does the average adult have in their body?

5 Liters

Rank the blood types from most common to most rare.

Most common - O, A, B, Ab - Least common

What kind of blood spatter might indicate a person who was

beaten with a weapon? Shot? Stabbed? Smothered?

weapon - medium velocity

Shot - High velocity

Stabbed - Medium velocity ( Artisinal Spurts)

Smothered - None

Compare the validity of DNA evidence to fingerprints.

DNA - chemical

Fingerprints - Phsyical

What is the national DNA database called?

CODIA

List the steps of DNA Fingerprinting. Describe how the results can

determine if a suspect’s DNA is at the crime scene.

collect DNA

extract dna

add restricion, cut dna in different pieces

place DNA into agrose gel

turn electricity on

DNA made

No 2 people have the same dna

What is the order that insects will arrive at a dead body?

flies

beetles

Draw the fire triangle and label the 3 required components.

fuel - top

heat -right

oxygen - left

When fire burns, it forms a _________ pattern.

V

List some common causes for arson crimes

Pyromania

revenge

crime cover

fraud

insurance

What is ballistics?

The science of projectiles and firearms

What does the caliber of the gun tell you?

the diameter of a firearm barrel measured from land to land

List the 3 types of bullets and why each one might be used.

Round nose- goes completely through(maximum penetration)

Woodcutter - Target practice

Hollow point - Mushrooms on impact

How do they match guns to crime scenes?

the straiations on the bullet

Give some examples of questioned documents

Checks, wills, and lisences

An example of your handwriting is called a(n)

exemplar

.List the ways that money is produced to deter counterfeiting.

watermarks

portrait stands out

red and blue fibers in bill