criminalistics midterm

cocaine is a

a stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant; euphoria producing stimulant that speeds up messages traveling between the brain and the rest of the body

all coroners’ in pennsylvania are allowed to

issue death certificates

the most important prerequisite for photographing a crime is

MUST always be taken before the scene is altered in any way; taken with a scale then at medium range then close up; should not get caught up in capturing injuries—photos should also be taken of areas where injuries aren’t apparent

gamma-hydroxyburate GHB

available in an odorless, colorless liquid form or as a white powder material, is taken orally, frequently being combined with alcohol

depressant to relax body

euphoria and relaxation

used for fat reduction and body building

used at raves or dance clubs

ketamine has

PCP; used for anesthesia; used in vietnam war because it caused less damage to organs

all jail deaths must be reported to

the medical examiner; majority will need autopsy

the ME/coroner must?

the ME is appointed; position to be held by licened physician in that state; usually physicians specialize in forensic science; requirements of particular state, city, or county

the coroner must obtain state mandated week long class; pass test or lose job; only need to be registered to vote to be qualified

crime laboratories solve crime

NO

investigators solve crime

witnesses solve crime

interviews solve crime

confessions solve crime

if a scene is photogrpoaphed by a forensic photographer, the detective’s rough sketch is?

a hand drawn diagram of the crime scene, including the location of evidence and key measurements, created at the scene before a more detailed finished sketch is produced; essentially a preliminary visual record of the scene

the crime scene should be secured by?

police officers; CSI

common types of physical evidence found at the scene would include?

blood, semen, saliva

documents

drugs

explosives

fibers

fingerprints

firearms and ammunition

glass

hair

impressions

organs and physiological fluids

paint

petroleum products

plastic bags

plastic, rubber, and other polymers

powder residue

soil

tool marks

vehicle lights

wood and vegetative matter

to be a medical examiner in the state of pennsylvania?

need to be a licensed physician

this test is?

TBD

evidence sent in for hair and fiber analysis

trace evidence?

hair is composed of?

the shaft—composed of three layers— the cuticle, cortex, medulla

cuticle- the scale structure covering the exteriror of the hair

cortex- the main body of the hair shaft

medulla- a cellular column running along the hair

an example of impression evidence is?

tire markings, shoe prints, depressions in soft soils and all other forms of trackss

the transition period between the anagen and?

catagen- roots take elongated appearance as the root bulb shrinks and is pushed out of the hair follicle

telogen- when hair growth ends, the telogen phase begins and the root takes on a club-shaped appearance; 2-6 months, hair is pushed out of follicle, causing the hair to be naturally shed

pubic hairs are subject to much more change than?

than scalp hair; pubic hairs are more short and curly and have wide variations in shaft diameter; scalp hairs show little diameter variation and have more uniform distribution

pubic hair samples should contain?

minimum 25 full length hairs, including the root

hair color is provided by pigments produced by?

cortex; derives its major forensic importance from the fact that it is embedded with the pigment granules that give hair its color

humans have a medullary index of?

generally less than 1/3

sex cannot be determined from a forcibly removed hair

no it cant; but can help with race/ethnicity or if it’s from humans or animals

steroids also reduce the activity of the immune system

increase the production of proteins; reduce recovery time by blocking the effects of cortisol

drugs are?

substances of natural or synthetic origin which can alter the emotional state, perception, body functioning or behavior of an organism

forensic science is?

the application of science to LAW; does NOT solve crime

cocaine is?

narcotic drugs; implies a state of lethargy or sluggishness

cause of death?

the underlying medical condition, disease, or injury that initiates the chain of events that leads to death

most alcohol is oxidized in?

about 90% must be metabolized through the liver; remaining 10% is eliminated through the lungs and urine

processing the crime scene

protection of overall scene and the body are of most importance

documenting and photographing undisturbed scene

collecting physical evidence

attempting to determine time of death

determining locations of premortem and postmortem

the ordinary compound microscope was essential

to view small samples that can’t be seen with the naked eye; to illuminate objects under investigation and passes the light through a series of lenses to form an image of the specimen on the retina of the eye

the active ingredient of marijuana is known as?

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)

if the ME/coroner’s office refuses to do an autopsy,

they will release it back to the family, and the death could possibly be ruled as “undetermined”, but the family could choose to get a private autopsy

family dose not need to be forcibly responsible to claim a body; pauper’s grave; if family doesn’t claim, the county takes care of it

normal beer decreases the speed of absorption of alcohol

yes, due to its lower alcohol content and larger volume—so the body takes longer to process it

forensic odontology is

the use of dental evidence in legal cases

who can sign a death certificate?

medical examiner

manner of death

relates to the circumstances that led to fatal results and is the culmination of the complete investigation, including determination of cause of death

homicide, suicide, accidental, natural, undetermined

an expert witness could be

the only witness, in a court case, that is allowed to give opinion on their specialty

anabolic steroids

induce weight gain and increased muscle mass; testosterone

glass, as evidence, is

any glass particle or fragment that may have been transferred to a person or object involved in a crime

stimulants

range of drugs that stimulate, or speed up, central nervous system

-amphetamines, crack cocaine

any substance can be toxic if?

if the dose is high enough or if exposure is prolonged

among women and men who use sedatives,

women are more likely to be prescribed sedatives and use them to self medicate, while men are more likely to use them recreationally

cocaine has been found

from the coca plant; native to south america; blocks pain sensation and stimulates the central nervous system; producing sudden increase in heart; temperature; blood pressure

heroin is produced from?

not a natural product; diacetylmorphine; more potent than morphine

heroin use?

abusers will be drowsy for several hours

mental function is clouded

cardiac functions slow

breathing is also severely slowed, sometimes to point of death

withdrawal can happen within a few hours after use

the district attorney’s office is mandated by law to immediately hold a trail to?

idk

evidence:

the material collected during a legal search of a suspect’s premises

the original freebase cocaine is?

cocaine without its water soluble component or “base”; prepared by dissolving cocaine hydrochloride with strong alkali; drawing out a “pure”; kept exploding, very dangerous to make