Question 1

It is impossible to change one's fingerprints.

Accepted Answer

Fingerprints are formed during fetal development and remain the same throughout a person's life, with the exception of minor injuries or certain medical conditions. This makes them unique to each individual and impossible to alter.

Question 2

Police officers with in-car data access technology make more than eight times as many inquiries on driving records, vehicle registrations, and wanted persons or property per eight-hour shift than do officers without in-car computers.

Accepted Answer

The statement indicates that police officers with in-car data access technology make eight times as many inquiries as officers without this technology, indicating that they are able to access and search information more efficiently and quickly while on duty.

Question 3

Age-progression photographs are prepared by forensic artists rather than computers.

Accepted Answer

Age-progression photographs can be prepared by both forensic artists and computer software, with technology increasingly being used to automate and enhance the process.

Question 4

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of less-than-lethal weapons in policing.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of less-than-lethal...

Question 5

Because computer-aided investigation systems have not proven to be very effective in the criminal investigation process, they are being abandoned by many police departments in the United States.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not true. Computer-aided investigation systems continue to be used by many police departments in the United States, and while their effectiveness may be debated, they have not been universally abandoned.

Question 6

Discuss the latest innovations in the examination of fingerprints.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the latest innovations in the examination...

Question 7

The latest in night vision technology includes infrared (IR) technology and thermal imaging (TI). This technology requires no light at all to see objects in total darkness.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. Infrared technology and thermal imaging technology do not require any light to see objects in total darkness.

Question 8

The Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) is maintained by DHS.

Accepted Answer

The Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) is maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), not the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Question 9

Automated fingerprint identification systems began to be developed in the 1980s.

Accepted Answer

Automated fingerprint identification systems began to be developed in the 1980s with the introduction of computer technology and biometric algorithms.

Question 10

Discuss the many ways in which the computer is revolutionizing police work.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the many ways in which the...

Question 11

PCR-STR procedures for the analysis of DNA evidence allow samples that have degraded or broken down to be analyzed.

Accepted Answer

PCR-STR procedures are highly sensitive and can amplify even small amounts of degraded DNA, allowing for the analysis of samples that have broken down or degraded over time.

Question 12

ViCAP contains information on all unsolved crimes in the United States.

Accepted Answer

ViCAP (Violent Criminal Apprehension Program) contains information on unsolved homicides, sexual assaults, missing persons, and unidentified human remains cases in the United States. It does not include information on all unsolved crimes.

Question 13

Mitochondrial DNA is more useful for identification than nuclear DNA.

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is less variable and provides information about maternal lineage only, whereas nuclear DNA is unique to each individual (except identical twins) and provides a more comprehensive genetic profile, making it more useful for identification purposes.

Question 14

Lasers can be used to lift fingerprints from surfaces that often defy traditional powder or chemical techniques, including glass, paper, cardboard, rubber, wood, plastic, leather, and even human skin.

Accepted Answer

Lasers can be used to lift fingerprints from a variety of surfaces that are difficult to process using traditional methods.

Question 15

Discuss the history of the use of DNA in courts and explain its status in courts today.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the history of the use of...

Question 16

Computers have not yet been used for patrol allocation operations.

Accepted Answer

Computers have been used for patrol allocation operations, particularly in law enforcement and security industries. There are various software applications that can assist in patrol allocation and scheduling, as well as optimize patrol routes based on real-time data.

Question 17

There are six classifications of fingerprints.

Accepted Answer

There are three primary classifications of fingerprints: loop, whorl, and arch.

Question 18

Composite sketches of suspects can be prepared by computers without the assistance of a police artist.

Accepted Answer

With the advancement in technology and software, computers can now create composite sketches using facial recognition and other techniques. This eliminates the need for a police artist to manually draw a sketch based on eyewitness descriptions.

Question 19

Less-than-lethal technology is the perfect weapon available that will immediately stop unlawful resistance and will cause absolutely no harm to the receiver.

Accepted Answer

Less-than-lethal technology, while often safer than lethal weapons, can still cause harm or injury to the receiver. However, it is designed to minimize harm compared to traditional lethal weapons.

Question 20

The BlackBerry can be loaded with specialized law enforcement programs allowing the user to query the NCIC database as well as other state and motor vehicle department databases.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. BlackBerry phones can be equipped with specialized software for law enforcement purposes, allowing the user to access various databases.

Quiz 14: Computers, Technology, and Criminalistics in Policing