Deck 1: Introduction

Question 1

Who wrote the first treatise describing the application of science to the field of criminal investigation?

A) Locard
B) Osborn
C) Lattes
D) Gross

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Who is known as the "father of forensic toxicology"?

A) Orfilia
B) Locard
C) Osborn
D) Lattes

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following can be rightfully cited as an explanation for the rapid growth of crime labs during the last 40 years?

A) Supreme Court decisions in the 1960s
B) Staggering increase in crime rates in the United States
C) Advent of DNA profiling
D) All of the above

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Who established the comparison microscope as the indispensable tool of the modern firearms examiner?

A) Goddard
B) Lattes
C) Gross
D) Osborn

Question 5

The concept of "general acceptance" of scientific evidence relates to the:

A) First Amendment.
B) Exclusionary rule.
C) Frye standard.
D) Miranda warnings.

Question 6

The exchange of evidence principle was theorized by:

A) Gross.
B) Locard.
C) Galton.
D) Osborn.

Question 7

Who developed the system known as anthropometry?

A) Bertillon
B) Goddard
C) Gross
D) Galton

Question 8

Forensic science is the application of science to:

A) Crime scene reconstruction.
B) Civil laws.
C) Criminal laws.
D) Both criminal and civil laws.

Question 9

In the case of Daubert v.Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical,Inc.,the U.S.Supreme Court advocated that a "gatekeeper" determine the admissibility and reliability of scientific evidence.This gatekeeper is the:

A) Expert witness.
B) Prosecutor.
C) Jury.
D) Trial judge.

Question 10

Who devised a technique for determining the blood group of a dried bloodstain,which he applied to criminal investigations?

A) Lattes
B) Gross
C) Locard
D) Bertillon

Question 11

The oldest forensic laboratory in the United States is that of the:

A) N.Y.C. Police Department.
B) FBI.
C) Los Angeles Police Department.
D) Secret Service.

Question 12

The final evaluator of forensic evidence is the:

A) Police.
B) Jury.
C) Accused.
D) Prosecutor.

Question 13

The fictional character of Sherlock Holmes was created by:

A) Dalton.
B) Doyle.
C) Darwin.
D) Denton.

Question 14

What is the LEAST important consideration in the gathering of evidence at a crime scene?

A) Adequate preservation of samples
B) Competent collection of materials
C) Guilt of the suspect(s)
D) Proper recognition of the evidence

Question 15

Which entity maintains the largest crime laboratory in the world?

A) FBI
B) Royal Canadian Mounted Police
C) Scotland Yard
D) ATF

Question 16

Which unit is responsible for the examination of body fluids and organs for the presence of drugs and poisons?

A) Toxicology unit
B) Physical science unit
C) Evidence collection unit
D) Biology unit

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT true? An expert witness must be able to demonstrate:

A) Skill in trade or profession of interest to the court.
B) Significant experience in a relevant field.
C) A formal degree in forensic science.
D) Education in his/her area of expertise.

Question 18

Who undertook the first definitive study of fingerprints as a method of personal identification?

A) Gross
B) Lattes
C) Goddard
D) Galton

Question 19

Who established the first workable crime laboratory?

A) Galton
B) Bertillon
C) Locard
D) Osborn

Question 20

Which would NOT be included in the work of the biology unit of a crime lab?

A) Blood typing
B) Comparison of hairs
C) DNA profiling
D) Fingerprint analysis

Question 21

The lay witness provides testimony that relies on:

A) Scientific education.
B) Personal opinions.
C) Personal knowledge.
D) Scientific experience.

Question 22

In Kumho Tire Co.,Ltd.v.Carmichael,the U.S.Supreme Court ruled that the "gatekeeping" role of a trial judge:

A) Was restricted to scientific testimony.
B) Applied only to cases involving capital crimes.
C) Was subject to appeal by a higher court.
D) Applied to all expert testimony.

Question 23

The judicial case that set forth the most current guidelines for determining the admissibility of scientific examinations in the federal courts is:

A) Frye v. United States
B) Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals
C) Coppolino v. State of Florida
D) Mapp v. United States

Question 24

What factor(s)do(es)the court usually take into consideration as sufficient grounds for qualification as an expert witness?

A) Experience
B) Training
C) Education
D) All of the above

Question 25

Which unit applies principles and techniques of chemistry,physics,and geology to the identification and comparison of crime scene evidence?

A) Forensic geology
B) Physical science
C) Toxicology
D) Biology

Question 26

Which specialized area of forensic science examines the relationship between human behavior and legal proceedings?

A) Forensic jury selection
B) Jurisprudence
C) Forensic psychiatry
D) Forensic psychology

Question 27

Specially trained personnel called ________ are employed by some crime laboratories on 24-hour call to retrieve evidence and have all the proper tools and supplies for proper collection and packaging of evidence at their disposal.

A) Evidence officers
B) Crime scene investigators
C) Evidence technicians
D) Forensic pathologists

Question 28

What is the major problem facing the forensic DNA community?

A) Contamination of DNA samples by evidence collectors
B) Backlog of unanalyzed DNA samples
C) Lack of recent advancements in DNA technology
D) Existence of computerized DNA databases

Question 29

The tendency of the public to believe that every crime scene will yield forensic evidence and their unrealistic expectations that a prosecutor's case should always be bolstered and supported by forensic evidence is known as:

A) Jurisprudence.
B) Locard's Principle.
C) The Scientific Method.
D) The CSI Effect.

Question 30

The case of Coppolino v.State highlights issues dealing with:

A) Search and seizure.
B) The admissibility of the polygraph.
C) The evidential value of confessions.
D) The acceptability of new scientific tests.

Question 31

The dramatization of forensic science on television has led to a phenomenon known as the:

A) NCIS effect
B) NYPD effect
C) CSI effect
D) LAPD effect

Question 32

The necessity for the forensic scientist to appear in court comes from the U.S.Supreme Court case:

A) Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts
B) Crawford v. Washington
C) Coppolino v. State
D) Frye v. United States

Question 33

The current system of crime laboratories in the United States can best be described as:

A) Centralized.
B) Regional.
C) Decentralized.
D) National.

Question 34

A crime scene which involved the collapse of a structure would be analyzed by specialists in the area of:

A) Forensic computer and digital analysis.
B) Forensic error analysis.
C) Criminalistics.
D) Forensic engineering.

Question 35

One of the earliest crime laboratories was founded by Albert Osborn.

Question 36

Forensic odontology refers to the study of:

A) Drugs.
B) Pollen.
C) Teeth.
D) Bones.

Question 37

Bite marks would be LEAST likely to be found in cases involving:

A) Murder.
B) Child abuse.
C) Arson.
D) Sexual abuse.

Question 38

The scientific method requires that scientific evidence be validated by:

A) Formulating pertinent questions.
B) Formulating hypotheticals.
C) Performing experiments.
D) All of the above

Question 39

Which of the following services are typically provided to law enforcement by crime laboratories?

A) Pathology
B) Criminalistics
C) Odontology
D) Psychology

Question 40

The eleven sections of The American Academy of Forensic Science include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) General.
B) Arson/Explosives.
C) Jurisprudence.
D) Criminalistics.

Question 41

The effectiveness of an expert's testimony does not usually depend on the educational background of the expert.

Question 42

The physical science unit would perform soil and mineral analysis.

Question 43

Providing expert testimony is not one of the main functions of a forensic scientist.

Question 44

The comparison of hairs and fibers would be performed in the biology unit.

Question 45

Locard's exchange principle states that whenever two objects come into contact with one another,there is an exchange of materials between them.

Question 46

A lay witness's testimony cannot usually contain the personal opinions of the witness.

Question 47

An expert witness gives testimony on events or observations that arise from personal knowledge.

Question 48

The increase in U.S.crime rates since the 1960s did not have any effect on the growth of crime laboratories.

Question 49

Examining garments and other objects in order to detect firearms discharge residues would be performed in the biology unit.

Question 50

In 1972 New York began creating an integrated network of state-operated forensic laboratories consisting of regional and satellite facilities.

Question 51

Karl Landsteiner and Louis Lattes are associated with the area of blood typing.

Question 52

Frye v.United States established the "general acceptance" rule.

Question 53

The case of Frye v.United States deals with the legal issue of general acceptance of scientific principles.

Question 54

The federal government has no single law enforcement or investigative agency that has unlimited jurisdiction throughout the country.

Question 55

Forensic science is the application of science to criminal laws only.

Question 56

Differences in local laws have no effect on the variation of total services offered by crime labs in different communities.

Question 57

A polygraph examination does not normally lie within the expertise of the forensic scientist.

Question 58

The toxicology unit determines the alcoholic consumption of individuals.

Question 59

The physical science unit is responsible for examining burned or charred documents.

Question 60

Forensic anthropologists can use dental records such as X-rays,dental casts,and a photograph of a person's smile to compare a set of dental remains and a suspected victim.

Question 61

The United States has no national system of forensic laboratories.

Question 62

Forensic odontologists look at bones to identify victims.

Question 63

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes had a large influence on popularizing scientific crime-detection methods.

Question 64

The five basic services a crime lab can provide are the physical science unit,the biology unit,the firearms unit,the document examination unit,and the photography unit.

Question 65

It is the responsibility of the forensic investigator to determine innocence or guilt.

Question 66

Dr.Walter C.McCrone made significant contributions to forensic science using the microscope.

Question 67

________ was the first to use a comparison microscope to analyze bullets to determine whether they were fired from the same gun.

Question 68

________ undertook the first definitive study of fingerprints and developed a methodology of classifying them for filing.

Question 69

The current system of laboratories in the U.S.is decentralized.

Question 70

One major problem of the forensic DNA community is the backlog of unanalyzed DNA samples.

Question 71

Physical evidence is subject to bias.

Question 72

The Bureau of Alcohol,Tobacco,Firearms and Explosives is a state-run agency.

Question 73

The "father of forensic toxicology" is considered to be ________.

Question 74

The fee-for-service concept has encouraged the creation of a number of ________ laboratories.

Question 75

Regional laboratories have decreased the accessibility of many local law enforcement agencies to a crime laboratory.

Question 76

The increase in crime rates in the U.S.has led to an increase in the number of crime laboratories.

Question 77

A voiceprint transforms a visual graphic display into speech.

Question 78

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is the largest forensic science organization in the world.

Question 79

The firearms unit may also analyze tool marks.

Question 80

All illicit drug seizures must be sent to a forensic laboratory for confirmatory analysis.