Deck 3: Physical Evidence

Question 1

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)Exchange principle
B)Multiplication table
C)Tangent method
D)Product rule

Answer 1

D

Question 2

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

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

Answer 2

C

Question 3

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

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Forensic databases are maintained for all of the following EXCEPT:

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

Question 5

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

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

Question 6

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

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

Question 7

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 8

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

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

Question 9

The computerized database used to store DNA information is:

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

Question 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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

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

Question 15

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 16

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 17

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 18

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 19

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 20

Which database contains chemical and color information pertaining to original automotive paints?

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

Question 21

Juries often accord scientific evidence lesser weight than other evidence.

Question 22

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

Question 23

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

Question 24

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

Question 25

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 26

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

Question 27

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

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

Question 28

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

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

Question 29

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 30

Evidence having class characteristics can exonerate an innocent suspect.

Question 31

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

Question 32

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

Question 33

The PDQ is maintained by the:

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

Question 34

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 35

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 36

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

Question 37

Paint and fibers are examples of class characteristics.

Question 38

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

Question 39

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

Question 40

Which database includes more than 300 manufacturers of shoes with more than 8,000 different sole patterns?

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

Question 41

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 42

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

Question 43

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

Question 44

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

Question 45

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

Question 46

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

Question 47

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

Question 48

Bloodstains only have class characteristics.

Question 49

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

Question 50

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

Question 51

The only commercially available computer database system is ________.

Question 52

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 53

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

Question 54

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 55

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

Question 56

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

Question 57

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

Question 58

The computerized database used to store DNA information is ________.

Question 59

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

Question 60

IAFIS is maintained by the ________.

Question 61

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

A)Database containing shoe prints
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)The 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)Database containing fingerprints
H)Database containing ballistics information
I)Database containing DNA profiles
J)Formula for determining how frequently a certain combination of characteristics occurs in a population.
Comparison

Question 62

Explain the difference between identification and comparison

Question 63

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

A)Database containing shoe prints
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)The 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)Database containing fingerprints
H)Database containing ballistics information
I)Database containing DNA profiles
J)Formula for determining how frequently a certain combination of characteristics occurs in a population.
AFIS

Question 64

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

A)Database containing shoe prints
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)The 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)Database containing fingerprints
H)Database containing ballistics information
I)Database containing DNA profiles
J)Formula for determining how frequently a certain combination of characteristics occurs in a population.
Identification

Question 65

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

Question 66

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

A)Database containing shoe prints
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)The 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)Database containing fingerprints
H)Database containing ballistics information
I)Database containing DNA profiles
J)Formula for determining how frequently a certain combination of characteristics occurs in a population.
Rapid DNA

Question 67

Provide five examples of physical evidence that may be recovered at a crime scene.

Question 68

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

A)Database containing shoe prints
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)The 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)Database containing fingerprints
H)Database containing ballistics information
I)Database containing DNA profiles
J)Formula for determining how frequently a certain combination of characteristics occurs in a population.
CODIS

Question 69

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

A)Database containing shoe prints
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)The 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)Database containing fingerprints
H)Database containing ballistics information
I)Database containing DNA profiles
J)Formula for determining how frequently a certain combination of characteristics occurs in a population.
NIBIN

Question 70

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

A)Database containing shoe prints
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)The 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)Database containing fingerprints
H)Database containing ballistics information
I)Database containing DNA profiles
J)Formula for determining how frequently a certain combination of characteristics occurs in a population.
Class characteristics

Question 71

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

Question 72

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

Question 73

List some of the advantages of class physical evidence.

Question 74

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

Question 75

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

A)Database containing shoe prints
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)The 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)Database containing fingerprints
H)Database containing ballistics information
I)Database containing DNA profiles
J)Formula for determining how frequently a certain combination of characteristics occurs in a population.
Product rule

Question 76

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 77

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

Question 78

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

A)Database containing shoe prints
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)The 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)Database containing fingerprints
H)Database containing ballistics information
I)Database containing DNA profiles
J)Formula for determining how frequently a certain combination of characteristics occurs in a population.
Individual characteristics

Question 79

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 80

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

A)Database containing shoe prints
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)The 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)Database containing fingerprints
H)Database containing ballistics information
I)Database containing DNA profiles
J)Formula for determining how frequently a certain combination of characteristics occurs in a population.
SICAR