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Forensic Biology Exam 1 Review Sheet Notes

Forensic Biology Exam 1 Review Sheet Notes

General Overview

  • Course: Forensic Biology, Fall 2025

  • Instructor: Dr. Belgrave-Banton

  • Exam Content: Based on lectures including:

    • Definition/Scope of Forensic Biology

    • Forensic Science History

    • Toxicology

    • Introduction to Cellular Structures

Key Terms and Concepts

Stimulus

  • Definition: Any external or internal signal that elicits a response from an organism.

  • Examples:

    • Internal stimulus: hunger or thirst.

    • External stimulus: light, temperature, or sound.

Chemotaxis

  • Definition: Movement of an organism or cell in response to a chemical stimulus.

Phototaxis

  • Definition: Movement of an organism or cell toward or away from a light source.

Internal vs External Stimuli

  • Difference:

    • Internal stimuli originate from within the organism (e.g., hormonal changes), while external stimuli come from the environment (e.g., temperature changes).

    • Examples:

    • External: changes in light or presence of predators.

    • Internal: stress response or hunger.

Homeostasis

  • Definition: The process by which an organism maintains a stable internal environment despite external changes.

  • Importance: Essential for the survival of organisms as it ensures optimal functioning of biological processes.

Reproduction in Organisms

  • Importance: Key for the continuation and evolution of a species.

Adaptation

  • Definition: The process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment.

  • Drivers of Adaptation: Natural selection, environmental changes, and genetic mutations.

  • Importance: Increases the chances of survival and reproduction of a species.

Biological Evidence in Forensic Science

Definition of Biological Evidence

  • Biological Evidence: Any biological material that can be used to provide information in a forensic investigation.

  • Utility: Assists forensic scientists in identifying victims and criminals based on biological signatures.

  • Collectibles:

    1. Blood

    2. Hair

    3. Saliva

    4. Other bodily fluids

  • Advantage: Biological evidence allows for unique DNA profiling which is crucial for determining "whodunnit" in criminal cases.

Toxicology

  • Branches of Toxicology:

    • Postmortem toxicology

    • Other branches include forensic drug testing and environmental toxicology.

Postmortem Toxicology

  • Focus: Analysis of substances in deceased individuals to determine cause of death.

  • Key Questions Addressed:

    1. What substances were ingested?

    2. When were they ingested?

    3. What was the quantity ingested?

    4. Did the substances contribute to death?

Xenobiotic

  • Definition: Any foreign substance to the body, such as drugs or poisons.

Drug vs Poison

  • Drug: Any substance that causes a physiological effect.

  • Poison: A substance that causes harm or death when introduced to a living organism.

Historical Case Study: Mary Anne Cotton

  • Identity: Infamous English poisoner.

  • Victims: Poisoned family members using arsenic, referred to as