Deck 3: Physical Evidence

Question 1

The database that contains chemical and color information pertaining to original automotive paints is the:

A) PDQ.
B) NIBIN.
C) SICAR.
D) IAFIS.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Determining that an explosive mixture contains dynamite is an example of the process of:

A) Identification.
B) Comparison.
C) Class characterization.
D) Individualization.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

To calculate the overall frequency of occurrence of a blood type in a population,the ________ can be applied by using a series of blood factors that occur independently of each other.

A) Locard's exchange principle
B) Multiplication table
C) Tangent method
D) Product rule

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Physical evidence is considered to have ________ as that of eyewitness (testimonial)evidence.

A) The same value
B) Greater value
C) Less value

Question 5

The examination of a paint chip found on a hit-and-run victim's garment side-by-side with paint removed from a vehicle suspected of being involved in the incident is an example of:

A) Comparison.
B) Identification.
C) Classification.
D) Individualization.

Question 6

Which of the following is a national fingerprint and criminal history system maintained by the FBI and launched in 1999?

A) NIBIN
B) PDQ
C) IAFIS
D) SICAR

Question 7

Forensic databases are maintained for all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Fingerprints
B) Dental impressions.
C) DNA.
D) Automotive paint.

Question 8

Physical evidence can be used to exonerate or exclude a person from suspicion if:

A) It is collected in accordance with the Fourth Amendment.
B) The standard reference sample (control) from the person does not share characteristics with evidence at the crime scene.
C) It does not have a well-documented chain of custody.
D) Evidence taken from suspect is obtained voluntarily.

Question 9

Evidence with individual characteristics can lead to a determination of common origin (single source).Which type of evidence CANNOT yield such results?

A) Random striations on tools
B) Fingerprints
C) Wear patterns on tires
D) Single-layer paints

Question 10

A component of the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network is called:

A) PDQ.
B) CODIS.
C) IBIS.
D) Both A and B

Question 11

The likelihood of finding class physical evidence is ________ the likelihood of finding physical evidence with individual characteristics.

A) The same as
B) Less than
C) Greater than

Question 12

Paint chips,random glass fragments,and synthetic fibers all exhibit:

A) Individual characteristics.
B) Class characteristics.
C) Identification characteristics.
D) Comparison characteristics.

Question 13

The computerized database used to store DNA information is:

A) AFIS.
B) CODIS.
C) NIBIN.
D) Drugfire.

Question 14

The value of class physical evidence lies in its ability to:

A) State with certainty the identity of the perpetrator.
B) Corroborate events with data in a manner nearly without bias.
C) Determine the probability of the occurrence of an event.
D) Determine the quality of forensic analyses carried out on the evidence.

Question 15

If the laboratory can piece broken glass from a window or headlight together,then the evidence has ________ characteristics.

A) Identification
B) Comparative
C) Individual
D) Class

Question 16

Evidence having class characteristics can:

A) Exonerate an innocent suspect.
B) Link a person to a crime with a high degree of certainty.
C) Always be fitted together in the manner of a jigsaw puzzle.
D) Have no evidential value.

Question 17

When a forensic analyst determines the chemical composition of preparations that may contain illicit drugs such as heroin,cocaine,or barbiturates,this is an example of:

A) Individualization.
B) Identification.
C) Classification.
D) Comparison.

Question 18

The corroborative use of physical evidence means that it can be used to:

A) Provide a lead to give the investigation direction.
B) Establish a definite identity.
C) Support other investigative findings.
D) Rule out a particular suspect.

Question 19

A comparison analysis subjects a suspect specimen and a control specimen to the same tests and examinations for the ultimate purpose of determining:

A) Whether or not they have a common origin.
B) If they are identical in chemical composition.
C) If the same person handled them.
D) If they are alike in molecular structure.

Question 20

The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)became fully operational in what year?

A) 1998
B) 1991
C) 1978
D) 1999

Question 21

The PDQ is maintained by the:

A) FBI.
B) RCMP.
C) ATF.
D) National DNA Database.

Question 22

Which source of CODIS contains DNA profiles from unsolved crime scene evidence?

A) Offender index
B) National index
C) Forensic index
D) DNA index

Question 23

The "jigsaw fit" of known and questioned fragments is important for court presentation primarily because:

A) It is a quick way of demonstrating how the object broke.
B) Courts and juries are too nonscientific to understand it any other way.
C) Instrumental analysis is too complicated to explain to nontechnical juries.
D) This method will definitely demonstrate common origin when a match is made.

Question 24

Determining that an explosive mixture contains dynamite is an example of the process of comparison.

Question 25

Who ultimately determines the significance of physical evidence in a trial?

A) The judge
B) Expert witness
C) The Supreme Court
D) The jury

Question 26

When measured or examined with extreme precision,no two items - even those originating from the same source - are exactly alike.

Question 27

The "jigsaw fit" of known and questioned fragments demonstrates common origin when a match is made.

Question 28

Class characteristics are properties of evidence that can be attributed to a common source with an extremely high degree of certainty.

Question 29

Eyewitness testimony and confessions are not as susceptible to dispute,human error,or bias as class evidence.

Question 30

Evidence having class characteristics can exonerate an innocent suspect.

Question 31

Identification is the process of determining a substance's physical or chemical identity.

Question 32

The greatest weakness of class evidence is that examiners cannot assign exact or even approximate probability values to the comparison of most class evidence.

Question 33

Multiplying together the frequencies of independently occurring factors is called the:

A) Multiplication rule.
B) Frequency rule.
C) Product rule.
D) Factor rule.

Question 34

Juries often accord scientific evidence lesser weight than other evidence.

Question 35

To permit a positive identification,testing procedures must be sufficient to exclude all other substances.

Question 36

Paint and fibers are examples of class characteristics.

Question 37

The database that includes more than 300 manufacturers of shoes with more than 8,000 different sole patterns is the:

A) PDQ.
B) SICAR.
C) IAFIS.
D) CODIS.

Question 38

A computerized archive of information relating to a specific type of physical evidence is a(n):

A) Evidence database.
B) Information database.
C) Comparison database.
D) Forensic database.

Question 39

Shoeprints cannot be used to aid in a crime scene reconstruction.

Question 40

The jury ultimately determines the significance of physical evidence in a trial.

Question 41

Identification requires that the number and type of tests needed to identify a substance be sufficient to exclude all other substances.

Question 42

The two methods used by forensic scientists when examining physical evidence are identification and ________.

Question 43

The value of class physical evidence lies in its ability to corroborate events with data in a manner that is,as nearly as possible,free of human error and bias.

Question 44

Bloodstains only have class characteristics.

Question 45

Most items of physical evidence retrieved at crime scenes can be linked definitively to a single person or object.

Question 46

Class evidence is not unique and therefore not useful to forensic scientists.

Question 47

The value of ________ evidence lies in its ability to corroborate events with data that are,as nearly as possible,free of human error and bias.

Question 48

Blood,hair,and fingerprints are some types of ________ evidence that are commonly found at crime scenes.

Question 49

IAFIS is maintained by the ________.

Question 50

The process of identification requires the adoption of testing procedures that give characteristic results for specific ________ materials.

Question 51

If the laboratory can piece broken glass from a window or headlight together,then the evidence has ________ characteristics.

Question 52

A single-layer paint chip can normally be expected to have ________ characteristics.

Question 53

The product rule is used to determine the frequency of occurrence of ________ profiles typically determined from blood and other biological materials.

Question 54

CODIS is maintained by the FBI and thus does not enable local crime laboratories to electronically exchange and compare DNA profiles.

Question 55

The computerized database used to store DNA information is ________.

Question 56

As the number of objects linking an individual to a crime scene increases,so does the likelihood of that individual's involvement with the crime.

Question 57

The French scientist ________ mathematically determined the probability of two individuals having the same fingerprints.

Question 58

The first step in ________ is determining which properties from the suspect and the standard/reference specimen to compare.

Question 59

The only commercially available computer database system is ________.

Question 60

It is a duty of the forensic scientist to draw a conclusion about the origins of the specimens.

Question 61

Explain how compatibility of forensic databases and a common depository for entries assists forensic investigations.

Question 62

Match the word in Column 1 to its definition in Column 2.Each answer can only be used once.

A)Shoeprint Image Capture and Retrieval
B)Properties of evidence that can be attributed to a common source with an extremely high degree of certainty
C)The process of determining a substance's physical or chemical identity
D)Process for developing DNA profiles from a buccal swab in 90 minutes or less
E)Properties of evidence that can be associated only with a group and never with a single source
F)The process of ascertaining whether two or more objects have a common origin
G)Automated Fingerprint Identification System
H)National Integrated Ballistics Information Network
I)Combined DNA Index System
J)A formula for determining how frequently a certain combination of characteristics occurs in a population.One must first determine the probability of each characteristic occurring separately, then multiply together the frequencies of all independently occurring characteristics.The result is the overall frequency of occurrence for that particular combination of characteristics.
1)Class characteristics
2)Comparison
3)Identification
4)Individual characteristics
5)Product rule
6)AFIS
7)CODIS
8)Rapid DNA
9)NIBIN
10)SICAR

Question 63

Name three forensic databases and describe the type of information stored in each.

Question 64

What are three reasons why it is not possible to define a simple analytical scheme that can be applied to all types of evidence?

Question 65

Explain the difference between identification and comparison

Question 66

The ________ rule can be used to show the likelihood of two pieces of evidence containing the exact same set of characteristics.

Question 67

Use the product rule to determine the frequency of occurrence of an individual in the population exhibiting a blood sample with the following factors included:

Question 68

List five examples of each of the following types of physical evidence: biological materials,impressions,and manufactured items.

Question 69

Class characteristics are properties of evidence that can be associated only with a group and never with a single ________.

Question 70

List some of the advantages of class physical evidence.

Question 71

The purpose of ________ is to determine the physical or chemical identity of a substance.

Question 72

Indicate whether the types of evidence listed below likely display individual or class characteristics.
a.A well-developed and collected latent fingerprint
b.Random striations on a discharged bullet
c.Single-layer paint chip
d.A footwear impression with irregular and random wear patterns
e.Bloodstain with no DNA-containing cells
f.An artificial fiber
g.Irregular edges of a broken knife fitted together