Deck 6: Fingerprint Evidence

Question 1

In some cases, the crime scene investigation yields results that point directly to the criminal and provide solid evidence against the offender. Which of the following provides such an example?

A) Footwear impression, model, and size similar to that of a suspect.
B) Tool Mark impressions that are similar to those caused by tools the suspect had in his possession.
C) Fingerprint from scene searched through AFIS and a contributor found
D) None of the above are more valuable than the other

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A device that produces a variety of selectable wavelengths of light used in forensic examinations is known as _______________.

A) Iodine
B) Spot light
C) Alternate Light Source
D) Amido Black

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which method is best when processing a wet vehicle for latent fingerprint evidence?

A) Ninhydrin
B) Amido Black
C) Iodine
D) Small Particle Reagent (SPR)

Answer 3

D

Question 4

You are processing a vehicle that had been stolen from an assault victim's home. Which of the following would be the most appropriate course of action?

A) Fingerprint the interior and then vacuum for trace evidence
B) Fingerprint the interior and then exterior and then collect any fibers or hairs
C) Collect trace evidence from the interior first and then process for fingerprints
D) Use specialized chemicals to search for fingerprints and then collect trace evidence after the chemicals dry.

Question 5

You are processing the exterior of a dark color vehicle at a crime scene, which color dusting powder should you use to process the vehicle?

A) White
B) Black
C) Silver
D) Any color that provides sufficient contrast

Question 6

One of the most important purposes of physical evidence is to establish the identity of the suspect or victim.

Question 7

Fingerprints at a crime scene may be formed when fingers are contaminated with foreign material, such as dirt, blood, or grease, or when the fingers are pressed against a plastic material and produce a negative impression of the pattern of the friction ridges.

Question 8

The three main groups of fingerprints that can be found at the scene of a crime are latent, _____________, and _____________.

A) Sufficient, non-sufficient
B) Patent, plastic
C) Good, bad
D) Identifiable, excluded

Question 9

You are assigned to process the scene of a burglary at a single family residence. The rear window to the kitchen has broken glass and appears to be the entry point. The front door was wide open after the crime, when discovered by the homeowner. It appears the burglar ate and drank food from the refrigerator in addition to ransacking the first floor rooms of the house. All of the following are likely areas and surfaces the suspect may have left fingerprints, except for:

A) Rear window frame
B) Front door knob
C) Glass cup used to drink
D) Cloth window curtain between front door and front window

Question 10

Which of the following chemicals would be the most appropriate when attempting to locate fingerprints on the sticky side of tape?

A) DFO
B) SPR
C) Gentian Violet
D) Ninhydrin

Question 11

Which of the following choices is an alternative to taking inked fingerprints from a suspect?

A) CODIS
B) Livescan
C) AFIS
D) NIBIN

Question 12

Which system allows for the ability to compare a latent fingerprint discovered at a crime scene to a criminal fingerprint database?

A) CODIS
B) Livescan
C) AFIS
D) NIBIN

Question 13

You are at the scene of a burglary and tasked with collecting a fingerprint in soft latex caulk near a window. What is the most appropriate material for collecting and preserving a plastic fingerprint?

A) Dust and lift
B) Mikrosil
C) Electrostatic dust lifter
D) Ninhydrin

Question 14

You have been asked to collect a knife from the crime scene with a visible fingerprint in blood. Choose the most appropriate method for collecting the knife

A) Collect in plastic bag
B) Collect in paper bag
C) Wrap loosely in paper and place in knife box
D) Hold the item with gloves during transport to the lab

Question 15

Fingerprints can be lifted from human skin. Which of the following is one acceptable technique?

A) Iodine
B) Ninhydrin
C) Cyanoacrylate
D) Kromekote ®

Question 16

You are tasked with processing tools for fingerprints that were reported to be used in a burglary. The burglar was started by police when they arrived at the scene and fled the scene leaving a bag of tools. A suspect was later arrested a day later with other burglary paraphernalia such as a mask and gloves. The tools are in a cloth bag and consist of an electric cordless drill, screw drivers, crow bars, hammer, electric sawz-all, and pipe wrench. Which locations on the tools would you seek to obtain fingerprints?

A) Battery portion of electric drill and sawz-all
B) Handles of screwdrivers, crow bars, hammer, and pipe wrench
C) Handle and button portion of electric drill and sawz-all
D) All of the above

Question 17

You arrive at an attempted homicide in which a suspect used a knife to cut the stomach of the victim, which is his lover. Thinking the victim had died, the suspect grabbed a recycling bin and placed items he previously touched in the kitchen into the bin and fled the scene. A couple days later the bin was found about a block away with items still within. Although the victim was in a medically induced coma and couldn't provide a statement, the items were processed for fingerprints. Fingerprints in blood were visibly noticeable on the items. Which type of fingerprint is this called?

A) Latent
B) Patent
C) Plastic
D) None of the above

Question 18

You are tasked with continuing the investigation in question 12 to determine if there are fingerprints not readily visible on the items recovered from the attempted homicide investigation. Which type of fingerprints are you seeking?

A) Latent
B) Patent
C) Plastic
D) None of the above

Question 19

You are assigned to process the scene of a theft at a construction site. The thieves stole expensive construction equipment and vehicles. Upon investigation you observe a plastic print located in a soft caulking material used during the construction of a building. The victim reports that the caulk was newly applied just prior to the theft and there were no prints in it at that time. After photographing the item, which of the following is the most appropriate method for casting the impression?

A) Mikrosil
B) Electrostatic lifter
C) Gel lifter
D) SPR

Question 20

Fingerprints are made up of organic and inorganic material and consist of approximately ___________ % water.

A) 85%
B) 50%
C) 90%
D) 99.5%

Question 21

You are tasked with processing latex gloves for potential fingerprints. Touch DNA can also be collected from this item as well. So, which method for processing fingerprints would be best to maximize the collection of both types of evidence?

A) One-time use powders
B) Commonly reused powders
C) Magnetic powders
D) Chemically treated

Question 22

Cyanoacrylate fuming is the result of putting superglue on a heated element in a chamber with high humidity, resulting in the polymerization of fingerprints.

Question 23

You are at the scene of an attempted homicide and you notice a faint fingerprint in blood, but it is difficult to observe. Which of the dye stains would you use to enhance the print?

A) Amido Black
B) Cyanoacrylate
C) Iodine
D) SPR

Question 24

A flashlight is a useful tool when searching for fingerprints. Holding the flashlight as a low angle is called ___________ lighting.

A) Low light
B) Oblique
C) Acute
D) Diffused