Forensic Sci Exam 2

What do optical principles in microscopy refer to?

How light interacts with lenses to magnify objects.

What is the effect of light bending when passing through different mediums called?

Refraction.

What does numerical aperture (NA) determine in a lens?

The ability to resolve fine details.

How is resolution defined in microscopy?

The ability to distinguish two close objects as separate.

What is the typical magnification of an eyepiece (ocular lens)?

10x magnification.

What is the formula for calculating total magnification?

Total Magnification = Eyepiece Magnification × Objective Lens Magnification.

What happens to the field of view as magnification increases?

The field of view decreases.

What is a comparison microscope primarily used for?

Allows side-by-side comparison of specimens for forensic analysis.

What does a stereoscopic microscope provide?

A three-dimensional view of specimens.

What does the scanning electron microscope (SEM) use to produce images?

An electron beam to scan a specimen's surface.

What is refraction?

The bending of light when it passes from one medium to another.

What does refractive index (RI) measure?

How much light slows when entering a material.

What is birefringence in materials?

The splitting of light into two beams traveling at different speeds.

What characteristic of glass helps identify its type?

Density.

What are class characteristics?

Common to a group, such as glass type, thickness, and color.

What are individual characteristics in forensic analysis?

Unique features like fracture patterns and striations specific to a piece.

How should glass fragments be collected for evidence?

Carefully, placing them in separate containers.

What are the three parts of hair structure?

Cuticle, cortex, and medulla.

What distinguishes pubic hair from head hair?

Coarse, curly, irregular diameter.

What types of natural fibers are there?

Animal fibers (e.g., wool, silk) and plant fibers (e.g., cotton, flax).

What are synthetic fibers made from?

Petroleum-based polymers (e.g., nylon, polyester).

What is the significance of cross-section in fiber analysis?

Distinctive shapes aid in identification.