FSC100~ Exam
### Forensic Science Cue Cards
#### Week 1: Introduction and Death Investigations
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#### Cue Card 1
Front:
Define first responder responsibilities at a crime scene.
Back:
First responders must:
- Preserve life unless signs of obvious death are present (e.g., decapitation, decomposition).
- Provide emergency medical aid if applicable.
- Secure the scene and prevent contamination of evidence.
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#### Cue Card 2
Front:
Define the term "chain of custody."
Back:
Chain of custody refers to the documented and unbroken transfer of evidence from the crime scene to the courtroom, ensuring its integrity.
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#### Week 2: Evidence Preservation Techniques
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#### Cue Card 3
Front:
How should biological evidence be preserved?
Back:
- Air-dry samples to prevent degradation.
- Store in paper containers or envelopes.
- Avoid airtight plastic containers to prevent mold and decay.
- Keep refrigerated or frozen if required.
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#### Cue Card 4
Front:
How is trace evidence collected and preserved?
Back:
- Use disposable tweezers or adhesive tape to collect small items like fibers or hair.
- Store in druggist folds or sealed evidence bags.
- Label and document the source location.
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#### Cue Card 5
Front:
What is the process for preserving firearm evidence?
Back:
- Avoid handling the barrel or grip to preserve fingerprints.
- Secure in a rigid container.
- Remove and separately package ammunition.
- Label all items and document handling.
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#### Cue Card 6
Front:
How is blood evidence preserved?
Back:
- Collect liquid blood with sterile swabs and air-dry.
- Use moistened swabs for dried stains.
- Package in paper bags or envelopes with biohazard labeling.
- Refrigerate or freeze samples to maintain stability.
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#### Cue Card 7
Front:
How should footwear and tire impressions be preserved?
Back:
- Photograph impressions with scales for context.
- Use casting material like dental stone for 3D impressions.
- Protect casts in rigid containers during transport.
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#### Cue Card 8
Front:
What is the method for preserving digital evidence?
Back:
- Use write-blockers to prevent data alteration.
- Create forensic copies for analysis.
- Secure devices in anti-static bags and document chain of custody.
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#### Cue Card 9
Front:
How should drug evidence be preserved?
Back:
- Place powders, tablets, or plant material in sealed plastic bags or vials.
- Label with case information and document weight.
- Store in a controlled environment to avoid contamination.
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#### Cue Card 10
Front:
What precautions are necessary for preserving volatile evidence?
Back:
- Collect in airtight containers, such as glass jars or metal cans, to prevent evaporation.
- Store in a cool location to stabilize volatile compounds.
- Minimize exposure to air and light.
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#### Week 3: Fingerprint Evidence
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#### Cue Card 11
Front:
What are the three main fingerprint patterns?
Back:
1. Loops: Found in 60-65% of the population. Includes radial and ulnar loops.
2. Whorls: Found in 30-35%. Includes plain and double-loop whorls.
3. Arches: Least common at about 5%. Includes plain and tented arches.
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#### Cue Card 12
Front:
What are latent fingerprints?
Back:
Latent fingerprints are invisible prints left by the transfer of natural oils or sweat from a finger, requiring development techniques for visualization.
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#### Cue Card 13
Front:
What are patent fingerprints?
Back:
Patent fingerprints are visible prints left when fingers come into contact with a substance like ink, blood, or dirt and transfer it to a surface.
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#### Cue Card 14
Front:
What are plastic fingerprints?
Back:
Plastic fingerprints are three-dimensional impressions left on soft surfaces such as wax, clay, or wet paint.
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#### Cue Card 15
Front:
Define ridge minutiae.
Back:
Ridge minutiae are unique features of fingerprint ridges, such as bifurcations, ridge endings, islands, and dots, used for individual identification.
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#### Cue Card 16
Front:
What is the ACE-V method?
Back:
ACE-V is a systematic process for fingerprint analysis:
1. Analyze: Assess quality and clarity of the print.
2. Compare: Match points of similarity between prints.
3. Evaluate: Determine if the prints match.
4. Verify: Peer review to confirm conclusions.
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#### Week 4: Blood Spatter Evidence
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#### Cue Card 17
Front:
Define passive bloodstains.
Back:
Passive bloodstains are created solely by the force of gravity, such as drips, pools, or flows.
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#### Cue Card 18
Front:
What are impact spatter patterns?
Back:
Impact spatter patterns are created when blood is subjected to a force, such as a gunshot, blunt object impact, or stabbing.
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#### Cue Card 19
Front:
How is the angle of impact calculated for bloodstains?
Back:
The angle of impact is calculated using the formula:
- Sin⁻¹ (Width / Length) of the bloodstain.
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#### Cue Card 20
Front:
Define the term "void pattern" in blood spatter analysis.
Back:
A void pattern occurs when an object blocks the path of blood, leaving a blank space within the bloodstain pattern.
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#### Cue Card 21
Front:
What are transfer bloodstains?
Back:
Transfer bloodstains are created when a bloody object comes into contact with a surface, resulting in patterns like smears, swipes, or wipes.
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#### Week 5: Courtroom Procedures
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#### Cue Card 22
Front:
What is the role of an expert witness in court?
Back:
An expert witness provides specialized knowledge to explain forensic evidence, interpret findings, and deliver unbiased testimony in court.
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#### Cue Card 23
Front:
Define direct examination.
Back:
Direct examination is the initial questioning of a witness by the side that called them, aiming to establish facts that support their case.
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#### Cue Card 24
Front:
Define cross-examination.
Back:
Cross-examination involves the opposing side questioning a witness to challenge their credibility or uncover inconsistencies in their testimony.
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#### Cue Card 25
Front:
What is voir dire?
Back:
Voir dire is a preliminary examination of a witness or juror to determine their qualifications, biases, or suitability for testimony or jury service.
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#### Week 6: Firearms and Toolmark Evidence
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#### Cue Card 26
Front:
What are class characteristics of firearms?
Back:
Class characteristics are measurable features of a firearm, such as caliber, number of lands and grooves, and direction of rifling.
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#### Cue Card 27
Front:
What are individual characteristics of firearms?
Back:
Individual characteristics are unique, microscopic markings left on bullets or cartridge cases by the firearm due to wear and manufacturing defects.
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#### Cue Card 28
Front:
Define the term "toolmark."
Back:
A toolmark is any impression, cut, gouge, or abrasion caused by a tool coming into contact with another object, often used to link a tool to a crime.
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#### Cue Card 29
Front:
How are striations used in toolmark analysis?
Back:
Striations are microscopic scratches on a surface caused by a tool, which can be matched to the specific tool that created them.
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#### Cue Card 30
Front:
What is the purpose of a comparison microscope in firearms analysis?
Back:
A comparison microscope allows side-by-side examination of bullets or toolmarks to determine if they share the same origin.
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