Deck 2: Lifting Prints

Question 1

In processing a crime scene for fingerprints, what precautions should be taken prior to dusting for this type of trace evidence?

A) Shine a light to enhance the location of latent prints.
B) Decide which type of media you will use on the surface of the print.
C) Wear gloves so that you don't transfer your prints onto the crime scene.
D) Package the recovered print in a breathable container.
E) Use a sterile Q-tip to obtain a small portion of a patent print.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

What was the significance of the Wagga Wagga homicide case?

A) Case involved a novel way to use plant DNA to convict a killer.
B) Case involved a novel way to use microbes to help solve a case.
C) Case involved a novel way to obtain a footprint in snow.
D) Case involved a novel way to obtain a fingerprint from a latex glove.
E) Case involved a novel way to solve a crime using probability.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Prints that do not require any enhancement (e.g. fingerprint impressions made on a clay surface) are referred to as

A) latent prints.
B) patent prints.
C) plastic prints.
D) Choices 'a' and b' are correct.
E) Choices 'b' and 'c' are correct.

Answer 3

E

Question 4

What are the elements or actions needed when processing a latent fingerprint?

A) Apply an appropriate type of enhancing media onto the print.
B) Apply lifting tape to remove the print from the original surface.
C) Document the appropriate information associated with the lifted print.
D) Photograph the print.
E) Process the print using a device called a comparison microscope.

Question 5

What were the issues surrounding Lt. Jenkins previous partner?

A) Juarez, his partner, like Chang was a rookie with little experience.
B) Juarez, his partner, had an affair with Lt. Jenkins wife.
C) Juarez, his partner, would rather work on assigned cases alone.
D) Juarez, his partner was a corrupt officer.
E) Juarez, his partner, was very abrasive and arrogant towards Jenkins.

Question 6

A question was posed to Helen about which evidence item should be given priority. What was that item?

A) DNA
B) Blood
C) Fingerprints
D) Shell casing
E) Spent bullet

Question 7

A humorous moment took place between Jenkins and Chang as they were processing the scene for prints. Which description below best describes that moment?

A) Coffee was accidently spilled on Chang's shoes.
B) Fingerprint dusting powder ended up on Jenkins face.
C) Jenkins tripped over Chang's purse.
D) Chang hit her head on the Subaru's open hatch back door.
E) A stray dog ended up licking fingerprint powder off of Chang's face.

Question 8

When Jenkins went to Captain White to complain about being paired up with Criminalist Chang, what was the Captain's response?

A) White would look into partnering Chang with another detective.
B) White insisted that Jenkins bring Chang up to speed.
C) White responded by saying "You'll be fine."
D) Choices 'a' and 'b' are correct.
E) Choices 'b' and 'c' are correct.

Question 9

Miss Chang had just graduated from UC Berkeley with outstanding credentials yet she was having second thoughts about her new job. What was the issue she was struggling with?

Question 10

Describe a situation where this technique of developing a print from thermal paper could help law enforcement solve a crime?

Question 11

(a) Based on the circumstances associated with the discovery of the impounded vehicle, what were the two major evidence items that needed to be processed? (b) What sequential order were they processed and why?

Question 12

While processing the crime scene, Lt. Jenkins retold the story of the Wagga Wagga case to Miss Chang. The parties involved may have interpreted the purpose of this message differently. Explain, from both Miss Chang's perspective and Lt. Jenkins perspective, why this case was told.

Question 13

Raising a child is the most rewarding thing one can experience in life. One of the experiences is teaching a child a skill (such as, for example, how to ride a bicycle or drive a car). Cite in the story where a similar moment between Jenkins and Chang occurred and explain how it is similar to the relationship of a parent and child.

Question 14

As Lt. Jenkins excused himself to clean up the fingerprint powder that ended up on his person. Miss Chang had a moment in reflection. What was that moment of reflection?

Question 15

In Chapter 1, it was clear that Lt. Jenkins expressed reluctance in being assigned a partner in this case. Where do you think the relationship is at this point? Cite evidence to validate your conclusion.

Question 16

What two main evidence items were being processed from the vehicle? What information could be derived from these items?

Question 17

In fingerprint analysis, the designation "2R" refers to which finger?

A) The thumb on the left hand.
B) The ring finger on the right hand.
C) The index finger on the right hand.
D) The little finger on the right hand.
E) The thumb on the right hand.

Question 18

The terms visible, plastic and latent are associated with

A) DNA.
B) firearms.
C) blood spatter
D) chromatography.
E) fingerprint impressions.

Question 19

Which one of the items listed below is not considered a media used to dust for fingerprints?

A) Ultraviolet light
B) Black powder
C) Iodine crystals
D) Cyanoacrylate
E) Ninhydrin

Question 20

What is the property of human skin that allows fingerprint dusting media and cyanoacrylate fumes to enhance latent prints?

A) Hair follicles embedded in the scalp.
B) Epidermal cells absorb dusting media and cyanoacrylate fumes.
C) Hot and cold nerve receptors found on the surface of human skin.
D) Skin surfaces secrete sweat, oils, and proteins.
E) Skin secretes melanin, which reacts to dusting media and cyanoacrylate fumes.

Question 21

An enclosed chamber, a beaker of warm water, and a warming plate are associated with which fingerprint technique?

A) Iodine fuming
B) Super glue fuming
C) Ninhydrin fuming
D) DFO fuming
E) Charcoal fuming

Question 22

You are asked to lift latent prints off of a piece of cardboard found at the crime scene. Explain the procedure you would follow to obtain and record the print (s) lifted from this surface.

Question 23

Each finger is identified by (a) which hand they are on and (b) a digit number ranging from 1 to 10. Which hand and digit does the numbering system begin with and end with?

A) Right thumb ending with the left little finger.
B) Left thumb ending with the right little finger.
C) Right little finger ending with the left little finger.
D) Left thumb ending with the right little finger.
E) Right index finger ending with the left little finger.

Question 24

What is a reference set of fingerprints?

A) Prints lifted from a crime scene.
B) Prints created from a known person.
C) Prints that have been subject to iodine fuming.
D) Latent prints that have been enhanced with dusting powder.
E) Patent prints left in modeling clay.

Question 25

When making a reference set of fingerprints from ink, make sure that the ink

A) only covers the central portion of the fingertip.
B) covers the entire palm of the hand.
C) covers the entire surface of the tip of the finger.
D) All of the above.
E) Choice 'a' and 'c' are correct.

Question 26

When superglue fuming is used to visualize a latent print, what precaution should be implemented?

A) Create a humid environment by heating up a beaker of water.
B) After fuming, further enhance the print by applying fingerprint powder.
C) The protocol should be carried out in a fume hood or in a well-ventilated area.
D) Apply lifting tape to remove the developed fingerprint from the evidence item.
E) Heat the superglue such that the vapors are released into an enclosed chamber.

Question 27

Which of the following chemicals could be used to enhance a fingerprint?

A) DFO (1,8-diazafluoren-9-one)
B) Cyanoacrylate
C) Ninhydrin
D) Choice 'a' and 'b' are correct.
E) Choice a, b, and c are correct .

Question 28

Identical twins have

A) the same DNA but different fingerprints.
B) the same DNA and the same fingerprints.
C) different DNA and different fingerprints.
D) 50% similarity of their DNA and 50% of their fingerprints are identical.
E) the same DNA because they are a result of two eggs simultaneously fertilized by one sperm cell.

Question 29

Discuss the pros and cons of using traditional fingerprint powder to enhance a latent print.
Pros: