Forensic Science Exam Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to forensic science, as outlined in the study guide notes for the exam.

Forensic Science

A field of science that applies scientific principles and techniques to investigate crimes and analyze evidence.

Forensis

Derived from Latin, meaning 'of the forum,' referring to the public nature of forensic science.

Victor Balthazard

A pioneer in forensic science who contributed significantly to the fields of fingerprint and firearm analysis.

Sir Francis Galton

Contributed to forensic science through his work in fingerprinting and establishing the uniqueness of fingerprints.

Hans Gross

Considered the father of criminalistics, he emphasized the importance of scientific methods in forensic investigations.

Edmond Locard

Known for Locard's Principle, which states that 'every contact leaves a trace.'

Mathieu Orfila

Regarded as the father of forensic toxicology, contributed to the study of poisons and their effects.

Chain of Custody

A process that ensures the integrity of evidence by documenting its handling from collection to court presentation.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment, consisting of items like gloves, masks, and protective clothing to ensure safety during forensic investigations.

Accreditation vs. Certification

Accreditation validates a lab's quality systems; certification assesses individual competence in specific tasks.

Biological Evidence

Evidence derived from biological sources, including blood, hair, saliva, and other bodily fluids.

Presumptive Tests

Initial tests that indicate the presence of a substance but do not confirm it, such as blood test reactions.

Confirmatory Tests

Definitive tests that confirm the specific presence of a substance, like DNA analysis.

Mitochondria

Cellular organelles inherited maternally, containing their own DNA and involved in energy production.

Genes

Segments of DNA that code for specific proteins and determine inherited traits.

Y-STR

Short Tandem Repeats on the Y chromosome, useful in male lineage tracing in forensic investigations.

Keratin

A fibrous protein that makes up the structure of hair and provides its strength.

DNA Profile

A unique representation of an individual's DNA characteristics, used to identify individuals in forensic science.

STR

Short Tandem Repeat, a type of DNA marker used in forensic analysis to profile individuals.

Electrophoresis

A laboratory technique used to separate DNA fragments based on size, often used in DNA profiling.

Emulsion

A mixture of two immiscible liquids, often found in paint, where tiny droplets of one liquid remain suspended in another.

Becke’s Line

A refractive index phenomenon occurring at the boundary of glass and a liquid, used to determine glass composition.

Radial vs. Chonchoidal Fractures

Radial fractures appear as lines radiating outward, while chonchoidal fractures have smooth, shell-like curves.

What is the intended purpose of science in law?

To provide evidence and methods for investigating and solving crimes.

Define forensic science.

The application of scientific principles and techniques to the investigation of crime.

What language is the word 'forensis' derived from and what does it mean?

Latin; it means 'of the forum' or 'public'.

Discuss two historical findings that demonstrate China's use of forensic-like applications.

1. The use of fingerprints for identification in the 3rd century. 2. The investigation of a murder using a pig to determine the cause of death in the 13th century.

Who was the first known individual to perform an autopsy?

Hippocrates.

Who is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and how did he impact forensic science?

He was the author of Sherlock Holmes, which popularized the use of forensic science in crime solving.

What contributions did Victor Balthazard make to forensic science?

He advanced the study of firearms and ballistics.

What contributions did Sir Francis Galton make to forensic science?

He established the uniqueness of fingerprints and developed fingerprint classification.

What contributions did Hans Gross make to forensic science?

He is known as the father of criminalistics and wrote the first book on forensic science.

What contributions did Edmond Locard make to forensic science?

He formulated Locard's Principle, stating that 'every contact leaves a trace'.

What contributions did Mathieu Orfila make to forensic science?

He is known as the father of toxicology and studied the effects of poisons.

What are three goals of forensic investigations?

1. To identify the perpetrator. 2. To establish the facts of the case. 3. To provide evidence for court.

What are two reasons for the rapid growth in crime labs across the U.S.?

1. Increased crime rates. 2. Advances in forensic technology.

List the complete names of the five federal laboratories involved in forensics.

1. FBI Laboratory. 2. DEA Laboratory. 3. ATF Laboratory. 4. U.S. Secret Service Laboratory. 5. U.S. Postal Inspection Service Laboratory.

What does PPE stand for and what does it consist of?

Personal Protective Equipment; it consists of gloves, masks, goggles, and protective clothing.

Explain the difference between forensic specialists and generalists.

Forensic specialists have expertise in specific areas, while generalists have a broader understanding of various forensic disciplines.

What are the seven steps a forensic scientist follows when processing evidence?

1. Secure the scene. 2. Collect evidence. 3. Document evidence. 4. Analyze evidence. 5. Interpret results. 6. Report findings. 7. Testify in court.

What are four major tasks of documentation in forensic science?

1. Recording the scene. 2. Taking photographs. 3. Writing reports. 4. Maintaining a chain of custody.

What is the basic approach to photographing a crime scene?

Photograph the scene from multiple angles, including wide shots and close-ups.

Describe four types of search patterns used in crime scene investigations.

1. Grid. 2. Spiral. 3. Zone. 4. Line.

Who are the six groups of individuals in a forensic investigative team?

1. Crime scene investigators. 2. Forensic scientists. 3. Detectives. 4. Medical examiners. 5. Prosecutors. 6. Defense attorneys.

What is the chain of custody?

A process that ensures evidence is collected, preserved, and documented to maintain its integrity.

What does Locard's Principle state?

Every contact leaves a trace.

Define evidence.

Information or material presented in court to prove or disprove a fact.

What is physical evidence and what are its two types?

Physical evidence is tangible items that can be collected; the two types are class evidence and individual evidence.

What is biological evidence? Give three examples.

Biological evidence includes any biological material; examples are blood, saliva, and hair.

What are the guidelines for collecting, packing, and preserving evidence?

Use gloves, avoid contamination, package evidence in appropriate containers, and label clearly.

What does the law of evidence state?

Evidence must be relevant, reliable, and legally obtained to be admissible in court.

What are the two requirements for evidence to be admissible in court?

1. Relevance. 2. Reliability; the judge decides admissibility.